Hard Apple Cider

We’re trying a new thing this year: making our own Hard Apple Cider!

As you know, each year we get boxes of apples from a local orchard that my sister knows, and each year we make applesauce, apple pie filling, apple juice, and pretty much anything else we can think of in order to preserve all those sweet little things.

A few months ago, my partner bought everything you need to have to make wine, cider, and/or beer from his massage therapist (who just happens to be the sister of my best friend Kat and is the one who sold us our pool table). He bought a few books about it, talked to a few other people who dabble in this hobby, and finally felt comfortable giving it a try.

We knew we were going to be making this at some point in our future, so we have a good 2 or 3 dozen jars of juice in our pantry just waiting for us. This first time, though, we’re just going to make a small batch, just to see how it goes. Once we get the hang of it, we’ll make bigger batches and might someday even use up all the jars we have waiting for us!

It’s not done yet, but I have to say it’s working so far. The jars on our counter are happily bubbling away and are – I must admit – quite smelly. It’s not really a pleasant aroma, either. Hopefully the end product will make up for it.