Sparkling Apple Cider Recipe | Homemade & Easy

A woman holding up a glass of sparkling apple cider up to the camera.

Sparkling Apple Cider Recipe | Homemade & Easy

Turn simple apple juice into a lightly fizzy, festive drink with this easy homemade sparkling apple cider recipe. You only need apple juice and a small amount of fermented starter liquid, such as kombucha.

Use fresh-pressed apple cider or store-bought apple juice, then let it ferment for about 10 to 12 hours to develop that wonderful sparkle. It’s a simple kitchen project that’s perfect for fall, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or anytime you want a special homemade drink.

Save this recipe for apple season and start where you are. Fresh-pressed cider is wonderful, but store-bought apple juice works, too!

5 from 2 votes

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Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5

Fermenting Time: 12

Total Time: 12 5

Servings: cups

Calories: 109kcal

Author: Carolyn Thomas

Cost: Varies

Equipment

1 Gallon-sized container with lid.

Ingredients

1 gallon apple juice (or any other flavor of juice)
⅓ cup starter liquid Some options include: homemade kombucha, liquid from fermented cranberry sauce, whey from this Instant Pot yogurt recipe, or juice from fermented apple sauerkraut.

Instructions

Pour the apple juice into a gallon container.
Pour out at least three inches of the juice into a cup.
Measure out 2 Tablespoons up to ⅓ cup of kombucha or your preferred starter liquid and add to the apple juice.
Place the lid on tightly and gently shake to incorporate the two liquids (this is the only time you'll shake it!).
Place in a warm area in your house for 10–12 hours and note the time.
The plastic container will become firm and expand. The glass container will become fuller and fill the headspace. Homesteading Hack: Do not shake the juice container after it has become fizzy. The explosion can make quite a mess!
Carefully untighten the lid and listen for the fizzy sound.
Pour the sparkling juice over a glass of ice and enjoy right away or chill in the refrigerator for later. Homesteading Hack: You can store the sparkling juice in the container you make it in; just pop it in the fridge and release the pressure as needed!

Notes

Tips and Troubleshooting:

Problem	Solution
My container overflowed.	Give It Enough Headspace - Don’t fill your container all the way to the top. The cider needs room to expand as it becomes carbonated. This is one of those little details that makes a big difference.
My apple cider exploded when opened.	Don’t Shake a Fizzy Container - This is probably my biggest tip. Once the cider has carbonated, leave it alone. If you shake it and then open the container, you can end up with sparkling cider all over your kitchen. And nobody needs that kind of excitement.
I don’t remember how long my apple cider has been fermenting.	Keep Track of the Time - Because this is a short fermentation, I recommend writing down the time when you start the batch. It’s easy to get busy with dinner, laundry, animals, kids, and everything else that happens around a homestead and forget about a jar sitting on the counter.
My sparkling apple cider isn’t sparkling.	What If It Isn’t Fizzy Yet? - If you don’t notice much carbonation after 10 to 12 hours, the temperature of your kitchen may be affecting the fermentation. A cooler room can slow things down. Rather than guessing, pay attention to the cider and the container. You’re looking for signs that fermentation and carbonation are happening.
My sparkling apple cider has too many sparkles.	What If It Gets Too Fizzy? - Be careful when opening the container. Loosen the lid slowly to allow the pressure to escape gradually. If your container is bulging significantly or appears excessively pressurized, don’t shake it. Handle it cautiously and release the pressure slowly.

Serving Suggestions:

This sparkling apple cider recipe is especially fun during the holidays.

Pour it over ice and serve it in pretty glasses to add to your favorite Thanksgiving traditions, Christmas dinner, or a family celebration. It makes an ordinary meal feel just a little more special.

It’s also a wonderful option when you want something festive without serving an alcoholic drink.

For a simple seasonal touch, serve it alongside:

Roasted or baked meats
Holiday side dishes
Freshly baked bread
Apple desserts
Cheese and crackers
A family holiday meal

And if you have children helping in the kitchen, this is a fun little fermentation project to watch together. They can see how something as simple as apple juice changes over time.

Storage Instructions:

Once the cider has reached the amount of carbonation you want, move it to the refrigerator to slow the fermentation process.

You can store it in the same container you used to make it, provided that container is suitable for refrigeration and can safely handle the carbonation. Open it carefully when serving.

Because this is a fermented beverage, keep an eye on pressure and carbonation during storage. If you notice unusual pressure buildup, handle the container carefully and release pressure slowly.

I also recommend making only as much as your family will reasonably use. This is one of those recipes that’s easy enough to make again when you need it.

Nutrition

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