Skip to content
OvenSpot
  • AccessoriesExpand
    • Calculators
    • Cookbooks
    • Utensils & Tools
    • AppliancesExpand
      • Microwave Ovens
      • Multi Purpose Cookers
      • Pizza Ovens
      • Pressure Cookers
      • Rice Cookers
      • Roaster Ovens
      • Slow Cookers & Crockpots
      • Toaster Ovens
    • CookwareExpand
      • Aluminum
      • BrandsExpand
        • AmazonBasics
        • Bruntmor
        • Camp Chef
        • Combekk
        • Cosori
        • Crock-Pot
        • Finex
        • Guro
        • Guy Fieri
        • Hamilton Beach
        • Instant Pot
        • Le Creuset
        • Lodge
        • Mario Batali
        • Marquette Castings
        • Staub
        • T-fal
        • Tramontina
        • Utopia Kitchen
      • Cast Iron Cookware
      • Ceramic
      • Dutch OvensExpand
        • Cast Iron Dutch Ovens
        • Dutch Oven Comparisons
      • Stainless Steel
  • KitchenExpand
    • Kitchen Tips
  • RecipesExpand
    • Desserts
    • DietExpand
      • Carnivore Diet
      • Carnivore Recipes
      • Carnivore Recipes
    • Drinks
    • Main Dishes
    • One-Pot RecipesExpand
      • Condiments
      • Dutch Oven RecipesExpand
        • Dutch Oven Beef Recipes
        • Dutch Oven Bread
        • Dutch Oven Chicken Recipes
        • Dutch Oven Dessert Recipes
        • Dutch Oven Lamb Recipes
        • Dutch Oven Sides
        • Dutch Oven Vegan Recipes
      • Pressure Cooker RecipesExpand
        • Pressure Cooker Chicken Recipes
      • Rice Cooker Recipes
      • Slow Cooker RecipesExpand
        • Slow Cooker Chicken
        • Slow Cooker Lamb Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups & Stews
  • Shop
Pinterest Facebook YouTube Instagram
OvenSpot

Home - Drinks

Creative Ways to Use Unripe Apples: Homemade Hard Cider Recipe

ByMichelle Updated onAugust 21, 2025
Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

Unripe apples might not be the sweetest snack, but they’re perfect for brewing! Their high acidity and natural tannins give homemade hard cider a crisp, refreshing edge that you just can’t get from store-bought bottles. With a little sugar, yeast, and time, you can transform underripe apples into a golden drink that’s as satisfying to sip on a cool evening as it is to share with friends. A first-time brewer or just looking for a way to use windfall apples, this small-batch cider is a fun and delicious project.

Why You’ll Love This Cider Recipe

Unripe (windfall) apples might not taste great fresh, but they’re loaded with natural acids and tannins perfect for cider-making! Their tartness balances beautifully with a little sugar, producing a crisp, refreshing drink. This recipe is simple enough for home brewers and gives you a flavorful way to use up underripe apples.

Simple Ingredients (and Why They’re Used)

  • Unripe apples (a mix of varieties works best): The star ingredient. Their tartness and natural tannins give the cider its crisp bite.
  • Granulated sugar (to boost fermentation and balance tartness): Boosts alcohol content and balances the sharpness of underripe apples.
  • Filtered water (if needed): Adds brightness and enhances the fresh, zesty flavor.
  • Lemon juice (optional, to enhance brightness): Ensures a reliable fermentation and cleaner taste than wild yeast.
  • Wine or cider yeast (recommended for consistent results, though wild yeast can be used): Helps adjust your juice volume to exactly 1 gallon.

Servings and Timings

Servings: 1 gallon (about 8–10 servings)
Preparation Time: 45 minutes (to wash, chop, juice, and set up ferment)
Fermentation Time: 4–6 weeks (primary + secondary)
Total Time: 4–6 weeks (mostly hands-off)

Ingredients

A small beginner-friendly batch of hard cider made with unripe apples (about 1 gallon / 3.8 L). You can scale up or down depending on how many apples you have.

  • 10–12 lbs (4.5–5.5 kg) unripe apples (enough to yield about 1 gallon / 3.8 L of juice)
  • 1–2 cups (200–400 g) granulated sugar (adjust to taste & tartness of apples)
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice (optional, for brightness)
  • 1 packet cider yeast or wine yeast (or ½ packet if using a small batch)
  • Filtered water (only if needed to top up to 1 gallon)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Apples

  • Wash unripe apples well. Remove any damaged or rotten spots.
  • Chop them roughly, keeping skins and cores (extra pectin and flavor).

2. Extract the Juice

  • Use an apple press or juicer to extract juice.
  • If using a blender, blend with a little filtered water, then strain through cheesecloth.
  • Collect enough juice to nearly fill your fermenting jar, leaving about 2 inches of headspace.

3. Sweeten & Balance

  • Taste the juice it will be sharp and tart.
  • Stir in 1–2 cups of sugar per gallon of juice, depending on how sweet you’d like the cider.
  • Add 1–2 tablespoons lemon juice (optional) for brightness.

4. Add Yeast

  • Sprinkle cider or wine yeast on top of the juice.
  • Stir gently with a sanitized spoon.
  • Fit the fermenting jar with an airlock.

5. First Fermentation

  • Place the jar in a cool, dark space (65–70°F / 18–21°C).
  • Let ferment for 7–14 days. You’ll see bubbling in the airlock and foam on top.

6. Secondary Fermentation

  • Once bubbling slows, carefully siphon cider into a clean jar (leaving sediment behind).
  • Let it ferment another 2–3 weeks for clearer, smoother cider.

7. Bottle the Cider

  • Once fermentation stops (no bubbling for 2–3 days), siphon into sanitized bottles.
  • If you like sparkling cider, add ½ teaspoon sugar to each bottle before sealing.
  • Cap tightly and store in a cool place.

8. Enjoy!

  • Let bottles sit for at least 1 week to develop flavor (longer = better).
  • Chill before serving. Crisp, tart, and refreshing cider all from unripe apples!

Pro Tips

  • Apple Variety Matters: Mixing tart green apples with a few sweeter ripe ones can balance the flavor. All-unripe apples will give a sharper, crisper finish.
  • Sweetness Control: The amount of sugar you add directly affects both sweetness and alcohol level. More sugar = stronger cider. Start with 1 cup, then adjust to taste.
  • Fermentation Time: Patience is key. If your cider tastes too sharp after 4 weeks, let it age a little longer in bottles for a smoother finish.
  • Still vs. Sparkling: For a fizzy cider, add ½ teaspoon of sugar to each bottle before sealing. If you prefer still cider, skip this step.
  • Equipment Tip: Always sanitize your jars, bottles, and tools before use. This prevents unwanted bacteria and ensures a clean, safe fermentation.
  • Flavor Boosters: Try adding cinnamon sticks, cloves, or ginger during secondary fermentation for a spiced cider twist.
  • Vinegar Option: If you leave the cider exposed to air for too long, it may naturally turn into apple cider vinegar still a delicious (and useful) result!

Equipment Needed

  • Apple press or juicer (or a strong blender + cheesecloth for straining)
  • Large sanitized glass fermenting jar (demijohn or carboy) with airlock
  • Sanitized stirring spoon
  • Bottles with caps or swing tops for storing finished cider

Perfect Pairings

Hard apple cider pairs wonderfully with both savory and sweet dishes. Here are a few ideas:

  • Cheese boards: Especially sharp cheddar, gouda, or blue cheese.
  • Grilled meats: Pork chops, sausages, or chicken all shine next to the cider’s tartness.
  • Hearty autumn meals: Think roasted vegetables, stews, or even a cozy shepherd’s pie.
  • Desserts: Apple cider donuts, spiced cakes, or buttery pies bring out cider’s natural apple sweetness.
hard apple cider

Hard Apple Cider

Michelle
Transform underripe apples into crisp, refreshing hard cider with this easy small-batch recipe. Using just a few simple ingredients, you’ll brew a golden, tart cider that’s perfect for fall sipping or sharing with friends.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 45 minutes mins
Fermentation 42 days d
Total Time 42 days d 45 minutes mins
Course Drinks
Servings 10

Ingredients
  

  • 10 –12 lbs 4.5–5.5 kg unripe apples (enough to yield about 1 gallon / 3.8 L of juice)
  • 1 –2 cups 200–400 g granulated sugar (adjust to taste & tartness of apples)
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice optional, for brightness
  • 1 packet cider yeast or wine yeast or ½ packet if using a small batch
  • Filtered water only if needed to top up to 1 gallon

Instructions
 

  • Prep the Apples: Wash and chop apples, discarding bruised/rotten bits. Keep skins & cores for flavor.
  • Extract Juice: Press, juice, or blend and strain apples. Collect enough juice for about 1 gallon.
  • Sweeten the Juice: Stir in 1 cup sugar first, taste, then add up to 2 cups total if you want sweeter, higher-alcohol cider. Add 1 Tbsp lemon juice if desired.
  • Add Yeast: Sprinkle 1 packet yeast (or half for 1 gallon) over juice. Stir gently.
  • Fermentation: Fit jar with airlock. Ferment 7–14 days at room temp (65–70°F / 18–21°C).
  • Secondary Ferment: Siphon into a clean jar, leaving sediment behind. Ferment another 2–3 weeks.
  • Bottling: For sparkling cider: add ½ tsp sugar per bottle before sealing.
  • Store bottles in a cool dark place for at least 1 week (2–4 weeks improves flavor).
  • Serve: Chill, pour into a glass, and enjoy your crisp homemade cider!
Keyword Hard Apple Cider

One-Pot Cooking Rocks!

Post Tags: #Fall#Fall Recipes

Michelle

Hi, I’m Michelle, the founder, owner, author, and editor of OvenSpot. My passion for one-pot cooking commenced when I was working to prepare cafeteria lunches for school students. I am now on a mission to assist you in choosing the cooking pot or appliance you will use daily. As well as in-depth information to assist you in using and caring for your cookware and appliances. Along with the yummy recipes I use at home.
Questions? Reach out to Michelle at [email protected]

MICHELLE’S FULL BIO

Post navigation

Previous Previous
Peppermint Mason Jar Cookie Mix Recipe
NextContinue
Snowball Cookies: Russian Tea Cakes or Mexican Wedding Cookie

Search The Site

Newsletter

Keep up to date with OvenSpot Insights. Receive exclusive content, deals, and recipes. Receive your BONUS today for becoming a member.

Join Here

Company

About OvenSpot
Meet the Team
Privacy
Terms and Conditions
Editorial Policy
Affiliate Disclaimer
Contact Us

Connect

Email
Facebook
Pinterest
YouTube
Flipboard
TikTok
Twitter
Instagram
Linkedin

As an Amazon Associate, OvenSpot may earn fees when you click on links within our articles and make qualifying purchases. Learn More

© 2025 OvenSpot. All rights reserved.

5214F Diamond Heights Blvd #3521
San Francisco, CA 94131

  • Accessories
    • Calculators
    • Cookbooks
    • Utensils & Tools
    • Appliances
      • Microwave Ovens
      • Multi Purpose Cookers
      • Pizza Ovens
      • Pressure Cookers
      • Rice Cookers
      • Roaster Ovens
      • Slow Cookers & Crockpots
      • Toaster Ovens
    • Cookware
      • Aluminum
      • Brands
        • AmazonBasics
        • Bruntmor
        • Camp Chef
        • Combekk
        • Cosori
        • Crock-Pot
        • Finex
        • Guro
        • Guy Fieri
        • Hamilton Beach
        • Instant Pot
        • Le Creuset
        • Lodge
        • Mario Batali
        • Marquette Castings
        • Staub
        • T-fal
        • Tramontina
        • Utopia Kitchen
      • Cast Iron Cookware
      • Ceramic
      • Dutch Ovens
        • Cast Iron Dutch Ovens
        • Dutch Oven Comparisons
      • Stainless Steel
  • Kitchen
    • Kitchen Tips
  • Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Diet
      • Carnivore Diet
      • Carnivore Recipes
      • Carnivore Recipes
    • Drinks
    • Main Dishes
    • One-Pot Recipes
      • Condiments
      • Dutch Oven Recipes
        • Dutch Oven Beef Recipes
        • Dutch Oven Bread
        • Dutch Oven Chicken Recipes
        • Dutch Oven Dessert Recipes
        • Dutch Oven Lamb Recipes
        • Dutch Oven Sides
        • Dutch Oven Vegan Recipes
      • Pressure Cooker Recipes
        • Pressure Cooker Chicken Recipes
      • Rice Cooker Recipes
      • Slow Cooker Recipes
        • Slow Cooker Chicken
        • Slow Cooker Lamb Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups & Stews
  • Shop
Search