Apple Juice vs. Cider: Homemade Recipes for a Refreshing Drink or Cocktail Base
When it comes to refreshing drinks or cocktail bases, apple juice and cider are two popular choices. Both are derived from apples, but they differ in taste, texture, and preparation methods. If you have a juicer or a blender at home, you can easily make your own apple juice or cider. This article will guide you through the process of making these beverages and will also provide some interesting insights into their differences.
What is the Difference Between Apple Juice and Cider?
Apple juice and cider are both apple-based beverages, but they are not the same. The main difference lies in the processing and filtration. Apple juice is typically pasteurized and heavily filtered, resulting in a clear, light beverage. On the other hand, cider is less filtered, leaving it with a cloudy appearance and a richer, more robust flavor. Cider can also be fermented to produce hard cider, an alcoholic beverage.
How to Make Homemade Apple Juice?
Making apple juice at home is quite simple. Here’s a basic recipe:
- Choose fresh, ripe apples. Any variety will do, but sweeter apples like Fuji or Honeycrisp will yield a sweeter juice.
- Wash the apples thoroughly and cut them into quarters. Remove the seeds.
- Put the apple quarters in your juicer or blender. If you’re using a blender, you may need to add a little water to help the process.
- Blend or juice the apples until they are completely pulverized.
- Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove any solids. Your apple juice is now ready to enjoy!
How to Make Homemade Cider?
While making cider is a bit more involved than making apple juice, it’s still quite doable at home. Here’s how:
- Start with fresh, ripe apples. For cider, a mix of sweet and tart apples is ideal.
- Wash, quarter, and core the apples. There’s no need to peel them.
- Blend or juice the apples, just like you would for apple juice.
- Instead of straining the mixture right away, let it sit for a few hours. This allows the flavors to meld together and creates a richer taste.
- After it’s sat, strain the mixture. Unlike with apple juice, you want to leave some of the pulp in. This gives cider its characteristic cloudy appearance.
Using Apple Juice and Cider in Cocktails
Both apple juice and cider can be used as bases for a variety of cocktails. Apple juice pairs well with lighter spirits like vodka and gin, while cider’s robust flavor stands up to darker spirits like bourbon and rum. Experiment with different combinations to find your perfect cocktail!
