Homebrew Happiness: Your Guide to Making Cider at Home

There’s nothing quite like a cold glass of cider on a hot summer’s day. Refreshing, crisp and just the right balance of sweet and tangy, it’s the kind of drink that instantly cools you down and makes those long afternoons feel a little more enjoyable. The good news? It's surprisingly easy to make it at home, and the process is just as fun as drinking the end product.

Is it Worth Making Your Own Cider?

Yes. Whether you’re a complete newbie to brewing or already have some experience under your belt, making cider at home is a fun process. You get to create a drink that’s tailored to your taste, whether you like it dry and crisp, sweet and fruity or even infused with spices or berries.

Beyond the result, there’s the fun of experimenting with different ingredients and techniques and the satisfaction of pouring yourself a glass of cider you made from scratch. It’s not just about the drink, it’s about the experience.

What Do I Need to Brew Cider at Home?

Once you’ve decided to give it a go, that’s the first question that will pop into your head. With just a few basics in place, you’ll be ready to start experimenting and creating your own batches.

A Cider Making Kit

A home cider-making kit usually includes an apple or other fruit concentrate that’s the base of the brew. They’re designed to make the process simple, making them great for beginners but also appealing to those with more brewing experience.

Traditional cider making involves pressing fresh apples, a process that can be time-consuming and requires special equipment. With concentrate, you can skip those time-consuming steps and go straight into the fermentation stage. This approach is quicker and more convenient and produces cider that tastes great.

By choosing a quality home cider making kit, you’ll get a concentrate made from carefully selected fruit, pressed at peak ripeness and processed with modern technology to lock in the flavour. The result is a brew that’s fresh, consistent and full of character.

These kits produce up to 40 pints of homemade apple cider, so you’ll have plenty to drink and share.

Fermenting Vessel

Choose between a glass carboy and a food-grade plastic bucket.

Glass carboys are large, durable glass containers that are great for cider fermentation. They’re non-reactive, so they won’t affect the flavour of your brew or absorb any aromas from previous batches. Easy to clean and come in a range of sizes from 1 gallon to 6.5 gallons, perfect for small batches or larger quantities.

Food-grade plastic buckets are a more affordable and lightweight option. Easier to carry and handle than glass, they often come with airtight lids and sometimes spigots, making liquid transfer easier. Just make sure the bucket is food-grade to avoid chemical leaching.

Both work well. It’s really down to your budget, batch size and how much convenience you want in handling your cider.

Sugar

During fermentation, yeast feeds on sugar and turns it into alcohol and carbon dioxide. Most of the time, the natural sugars in apple concentrate are enough to keep this process going. But you can add more sugar to increase the alcohol content, adjust the sweetness or create some extra fizz when bottling.

White sugar, brown sugar, honey or alternative sweeteners are all options. Each will add a different character to the finished cider.

Airlock

An airlock is a small but essential piece of cider-making equipment that sits on top of your fermenting vessel. Its job is to allow carbon dioxide (the natural byproduct of fermentation) to escape while keeping unwanted air, bacteria and other contaminants out.

There are two types of airlocks: the classic S-shaped airlock and the three-piece airlock. Both do the job, but many brewers prefer the three-piece version because it’s easier to disassemble and clean, keeping your cider safe and contamination-free throughout the fermentation process.

Bung

A bung is a stopper, usually made from rubber or silicone, that fits into the opening of your fermentation vessel. Its job is to hold the airlock in place and create a tight seal.

This seal is key. It prevents contamination from getting in and allows CO2 to escape through the airlock. When choosing a bung, make sure it matches the size of your vessel’s opening for a snug fit and consider one made from food-grade material so your cider stays safe and clean throughout fermentation.

Hydrometer

A hydrometer is one of the most useful tools you can have when making cider. It measures the specific gravity of your brew, which tells you how much sugar is in the liquid. Check it before, during and after fermentation to see how the process is going and know exactly when your cider is done. It’s also how you calculate the ABV of your finished drink. It’s easy to use: just pop the hydrometer into a sample of your cider and read the measurement on the scale.

Thermometer

Temperature plays a huge role in fermentation, and that’s why a thermometer is essential. Yeast works best within a certain temperature range, and keeping your cider within that range ensures steady fermentation and a clean flavour. Too cold and fermentation will stall, too warm and you’ll get off flavours. Regularly checking the temperature helps you keep the perfect environment for your yeast to thrive.

Sanitiser

Clean equipment is non-negotiable when it comes to brewing. Any bacteria or wild yeast that gets into your cider will spoil the batch, so keeping everything sanitised is crucial.

A no-rinse sanitiser is the easiest and most effective option. It’s food safe, kills microbes quickly and doesn’t need to be rinsed off afterwards. Make sure to sanitise anything that comes into contact with your cider, from fermentation vessels and airlocks to siphons and bottles.

Bottling Supplies

Once your cider is done fermenting, you’ll need the right gear to bottle it. At the very least, this means clean food-grade bottles and caps or swing top closures to keep your cider fresh and carbonated. A siphon or bottling wand will make the process much easier and help you transfer the cider without disturbing the sediment at the bottom of your vessel. Having the right bottling setup makes the job easier and your cider clear, tasty and ready to drink.