How to Make Hard Cider: The Champlain Orchards Way

Welcome to the world of Champlain Orchards, where cider is more than just a drink—it’s a tradition, a passion, and a whole lot of fun! Today, we’re sharing our sweet, sparkling secrets on how we craft our hard cider, from handpicking the juiciest apples to creating that perfect, crisp taste that makes our ciders so special.

But hey, don’t expect us to give you everything (we do have a few “secret” ingredients up our sleeves ). We're here to give you a peek behind the curtain, show you the magic of cider-making, and—who knows?—maybe inspire you to create your very own batch at home.

So, grab a glass (or a bottle, we’re not judging ) and follow along. This is gonna be a fun ride from A to Z, and we hope you’ll share it with your friends—or maybe even your competitors (we won’t tell, promise 😋). Ready to dive into the Champlain way? Let’s go! 🍏

1. Ingredients You’ll Need 🍏🍯

Making your own hard cider at home is all about picking the right ingredients, and trust us, it’s easier than you might think! Here’s what you’ll need to create a crisp, delicious cider from start to finish:

 

Fresh Apples 🍎🍏

The foundation of any great cider is the apples! But not just any apples—variety is key. For that perfect balance of sweetness, tartness, and complexity, we recommend using a mix of different types of apples. You’ll want to include:

• Sweet Apples: These will give your cider a smooth, mellow flavor. Think varieties like Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp.
• Tart Apples: Tart apples add a nice zing and help balance out the sweetness. Try Granny Smith or Jonathan apples.
• Bittersweet Apples: These apples are known for their unique, complex flavor profile that’s a mix of sweet and bitter. Varieties like Kingston Black or Bramley are great choices.

Recommended Amount: For a small batch, we suggest using around 10-15 pounds of apples, depending on how much cider you want to make. The more apples, the more juice, which means more cider to enjoy! 🍏✨

Yeast 🧫

Yeast is the magical little ingredient that turns apple juice into hard cider by fermenting the sugars in the juice. The type of yeast you use will affect the flavor and carbonation of your cider. Here are a few options:

• Champagne Yeast: This yeast is great for dry ciders and adds a crisp, refreshing taste. It also helps with natural carbonation, making your cider a little fizzy.
• Ale Yeast: For a more complex, fruity flavor, ale yeast is a fantastic option. It tends to leave behind a more rounded, fuller-bodied cider.
• Cider Yeast: Specifically designed for cider, this yeast gives a nice balance between sweet and dry, with a clean, fresh finish.

Choose the yeast based on the type of cider you’re aiming for, whether it’s dry and sparkling or sweet and full-bodied.

Sugar (Optional) 🍯

Sometimes, your cider might need a little extra sweetness to balance out the tartness of certain apples or the dryness from fermentation. Here’s when sugar or honey might come into play:

• Sugar: Adding sugar will help boost the alcohol content and sweetness. If your cider turns out too dry, you can add a small amount of sugar to taste. Just be careful—too much sugar can make it overly sweet or affect the fermentation.
• Honey: Honey adds a natural sweetness and can also enhance the cider’s complexity. It’s a great option if you want to introduce a subtle floral or earthy note to your drink.

Use sugar sparingly—remember, it’s always easier to add a little more than to take it out once it’s mixed in!

Water 💧

 

Water is not always necessary, but sometimes it’s used to dilute the juice if you’re looking to control the sweetness or alcohol content. If your apples are particularly sweet, you might want to add a splash of water to keep the cider from becoming too sugary. But many cider makers, like us, prefer to keep it all-natural—just apples and yeast for that pure, unadulterated cider flavor!

Other Ingredients (Optional) 🌿

For the creative cider-makers out there, this is where the fun begins! You can experiment with different spices, fruits, and herbs to add unique flavors to your cider. Some ideas include:

• Cinnamon: Perfect for a cozy, warm flavor, especially in autumn batches.
• Ginger: Adds a zesty kick and pairs wonderfully with apple.
• Cloves or Nutmeg: These spices can add a festive, holiday vibe to your cider.
• Fruit Add-ins: Try experimenting with berries (like raspberries or blackberries), pears, or even citrus fruits like oranges or lemons for a fresh twist.

Be mindful of the amounts you use—just a pinch of spice or a handful of fruit can make all the difference!

With these ingredients, you’re well on your way to crafting the perfect hard cider. Next up: the equipment you’ll need to bring it all to life! 🍏🍻

2. Equipment Checklist 🛠️🍏

Before you dive into cider-making, you’ll need the right tools to get the job done. Here's a handy table to simplify the process and ensure you have everything you need to create your own delicious hard cider:

Item	Purpose
Apple Press / Juicer	Extracts juice from the apples. An essential tool to get the freshest juice for your cider. 🍏
Fermenting Vessel (Glass Jar)	Holds the juice while it ferments. We recommend using glass because it’s non-reactive and easy to clean. 🏺
Airlock & Stopper	This nifty device lets CO2 escape while preventing contaminants like bacteria from getting in. Very important for healthy fermentation. 🔒
Hydrometer	Measures the sugar content and alcohol levels in your cider. This helps you monitor the fermentation process and figure out when it's ready to bottle. 📊
Bottles & Caps	For bottling and sealing your cider. Make sure your bottles are sterilized to avoid any funky flavors. 🍾

With these essential tools, you’re all set to start your cider-making adventure! Just make sure to have fun with it, and remember—every cider maker has their own special process. 🍏🍻

3. Step-by-Step Process: Making Hard Cider 🍏🍻

Making hard cider at home is a fun, rewarding process, and with the right ingredients and equipment, you'll be sipping on your own homemade brew in no time! Here’s a step-by-step guide to take you through each stage:

Step 1: Picking & Preparing Apples 🍎

Picking the perfect apples is key to making great cider. Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Pick Ripe, Healthy Apples: Look for fully ripe apples. Slightly overripe apples are fine, but avoid any that are bruised or damaged. The quality of the apples will directly affect the taste of your cider.
• Wash the Apples: It’s important to give your apples a good rinse to remove any dirt or chemicals. You’ll be using the skins, so keep them clean!
• Crush Before Pressing: If you’re using an apple press, you’ll need to crush the apples into a pulp. This helps extract more juice when you press them. If you don’t have a press, a juicer can work just as well!

Step 2: Pressing and Extracting Juice 🍏🍹

Once your apples are prepped, it’s time to extract that delicious juice!

• Using a Press: If you have an apple press, simply load your crushed apples into the press and apply pressure to extract the juice.
• Using a Juicer: If you don’t have a press, a juicer works just as well. The key here is to get the cleanest, freshest juice possible without any seeds or pulp.
• Measure for Consistency: If you're a stickler for precision, you can measure the juice to make sure you have a consistent amount. This is more for those who want to scale up the recipe or track yields. But honestly, just go with the flow—apple juice is delicious no matter what!

Step 3: Adding Yeast & Preparing for Fermentation 🍶

Now the fun part begins! Yeast is what turns your apple juice into hard cider.

• Add Yeast: Once your juice is ready, it's time to add your yeast. Sprinkle it in gently and stir the mixture. Yeast options like champagne, cider, or ale yeast each add their own flavor, so choose based on what kind of cider you're after.
• Transfer to Fermenter: Pour the juice into your fermenter (a glass jar or jug works well).
• Seal with Airlock: Now, it’s time to let the yeast do its thing! Seal your fermenter with an airlock. This allows carbon dioxide to escape while keeping unwanted bacteria out. Store it in a cool, dark place (about 60-70°F / 15-21°C).
• Fermentation Time: Fermentation typically takes around 2-3 weeks. The yeast will convert the sugars into alcohol, and you’ll start to smell the cider magic happening!

Fermentation Table:

Process	Time	Temperature
Primary Fermentation	2-3 weeks	60-70°F (15-21°C)
Secondary Fermentation (Optional)	1-2 weeks	Same as above

Note: Secondary fermentation is optional, but it can help improve clarity and flavor.

Step 4: Checking the Progress (Hydrometer) 🧪

Now that your cider is fermenting, it’s time to track its progress!

• Using a Hydrometer: A hydrometer measures the sugar content and alcohol levels. To check the alcohol content, take a reading before fermentation starts and another when it’s done. This will tell you how much sugar the yeast has consumed and how strong your cider is.
• Ideal Alcohol Content: Aim for an alcohol content between 4%-8% ABV for a balanced cider. If you want a stronger cider, you can let it ferment longer, or add more sugar to increase alcohol content.

Step 5: Bottling 🍾

Once fermentation is complete, it’s time to bottle your cider and get ready to enjoy!

• Transfer to Bottles: Carefully transfer the cider into bottles, leaving some space at the top.
• Add Sugar for Carbonation: If you want a bubbly cider, add a little sugar (about 1 teaspoon per bottle) to each one before sealing. This will create carbonation as the cider finishes fermenting in the bottle.
• Seal and Store: Cap your bottles securely and store them in a cool, dark place for 1-2 weeks to allow carbonation to develop.

After that? Your cider is ready to pop open and enjoy! 🍏✨

4. Troubleshooting & Tips for Perfect Hard Cider 🍏🍻

Making cider is an art, and sometimes things don’t go as planned. But don't worry, we’ve got some tips and tricks to help you troubleshoot common issues and perfect your brew.

What If the Cider Is Too Sweet or Too Dry? 🤔🍬

If your cider turns out either too sweet or too dry, it’s likely due to fermentation or the apples you used.

• Too Sweet: If your cider tastes sweeter than you expected, it’s likely that fermentation didn’t fully convert the sugars into alcohol. This can happen if:
• The yeast wasn’t active enough or it was too cold for the yeast to do its job.
• You used apples that were already very sweet (like Gala or Fuji).

Solution:

• Adjust Sweetness: You can balance the sweetness by either letting it ferment longer (the yeast will eat more sugar) or adding a small amount of sugar or honey before bottling. Adding sugar will also help with carbonation.
• Change Apple Varieties: Use a mix of tart apples (like Granny Smith) or bittersweet apples (like Kingston Black) to balance out the sweetness in future batches.

• Too Dry: If your cider ends up too dry, it might be because fermentation went too far, and the yeast ate all the sugar. This can happen if:
• The fermentation temperature was too warm.
• The yeast you used was too robust for the juice.

Solution:

• Add More Sugar: You can sweeten it with sugar or honey after fermentation, but be careful to avoid over-sweetening. Start with small amounts and taste as you go.
• Blend Different Apples: Next time, try blending a sweeter variety with a more tart apple to get a balanced flavor.

What If Fermentation Stops Early? 🚫🍏

Fermentation that halts before it's complete is a common issue and can be caused by several factors:

• Cold Temperature: Yeast can go dormant if the temperature drops too low. Make sure your fermentation vessel stays between 60-70°F (15-21°C). If it’s too cold, the yeast won’t be as active.
• Lack of Yeast Nutrients: Yeast needs food to thrive. If your juice didn’t have enough natural nutrients, the yeast could stop fermenting prematurely.

Solution:

• Restarting Fermentation: If fermentation stops, you can try adding a fresh packet of yeast to give it a jump-start. Gently stir in the yeast, seal the fermenter, and return it to a warmer spot.
• Check for Contamination: Make sure there’s no contamination in your batch. A spoiled batch may cause fermentation to stop unexpectedly.

How to Make Your Cider Clearer? 🍸✨

Cloudy cider is common, but it can also be a little off-putting for some drinkers. If you want a clearer cider, there are a couple of tricks you can try.

• Racking: Racking is the process of transferring cider from one vessel to another, leaving the sediment behind. This helps to clarify the cider. It’s typically done after primary fermentation and again before bottling.
  Tip: Do this gently to avoid disturbing the sediment at the bottom.
• Fining Agents: If you’re looking for even more clarity, fining agents like gelatin or pectic enzymes can help. These agents bind to particles in the cider and cause them to sink, resulting in clearer liquid.
  Tip: Use these sparingly and follow instructions carefully, as overuse can affect the taste.

With these troubleshooting tips, you'll be on your way to perfecting your hard cider in no time! It’s all about experimenting, learning from your batches, and enjoying the process. 🍏🍻

If things get tricky and you’re in need of some great cider, you know where to find us at Champlain Orchards—where cider perfection is just a sip away! 😋

5. How Long Does It Take? ⏰

Making hard cider is a process that requires patience, but the end result is definitely worth it! Here’s a simple timeline to help you understand the process better:

Process	Duration
Picking Apples	1 day
Pressing & Extracting Juice	1-2 hours
Fermentation (Primary)	2–3 weeks
Bottling & Carbonation	1-2 weeks
Total Time	Approximately 4-6 weeks

 

6. Champlain Orchards’ Ready-Made Ciders 🍻

While making hard cider from scratch is an incredibly fun and rewarding process, it does require time, effort, and some specialized equipment. But if you’re in the mood for a delicious cider without the wait or the work, we’ve got you covered!

At Champlain Orchards, we offer a variety of ready-made hard ciders, each crafted with love and dedication. Skip the brewing process and enjoy a perfectly balanced, flavorful cider right away.

Ps: if you're looking to skip the brewing process and enjoy a delicious, perfectly crafted cider right away, check out our variety of unique Champlain Orchards ciders!"

Cheers to Great Cider! 🍏🍻

At Champlain Orchards, every batch of cider is made with the utmost care, and it’s our love for the craft that makes each sip so special. Whether you decide to make your own or enjoy one of our unique ready-made ciders, we hope you have fun with the process and savor every drop!

Remember, cider-making is all about experimentation. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, or simply raise your glass and celebrate the joy of great cider.

From our orchard to your glass, cheers to great cider! 🍎🍻