Apple Cider Smoothie – Make Cider In Your Blender

One of the things I miss about living in Vermont (I now live in Chicago) is the annual trip each fall to the cider mill to sample freshly made apple cider. While I can still get apple cider here in Chicago, it is pasteurized and doesn’t taste the same as the untouched fall beverage fresh from the mill.

I came up with this cider smoothie recipe the other day. It tastes great and does an excellent job at replicating the familiar cider flavor while preserving 100% of the vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and enzymes in the apples.

Apple Cider Smoothie Recipe

• 1 large, organic Gala apple, cored. Do not peel!
• 1 large, organic Red Delicious apple, cored. Do not peel!
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Blend on high until smooth. Apples can be tricky to blend. Add too much water and you’ll get pulpy apple juice. Add too little and you’ll have apple sauce. One-half cup of water worked fine in my Blendtec Total Blender. Start with that and add more if your blender is making the consistency too thick (apple sauce).

Enjoy this smoothie immediately as separation is likely to occur.

Depending on the size of the apples used, this recipe makes between 12-16 ounces.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 231
Fat: 0g
Protein: 1g
Carbohydrates: 61g
Fiber: 10.7g
Calcium: 3% RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance)
Iron: 0.5mg
Vitamin A: 10% RDA
Vitamin C: 27% RDA

Making Cider With Your Blender

Typically, apples are ground up, then pressed and the juice is bottled as apple cider. If you want a less filling, traditional cider consistency, add more water and use 4 or more apples. Add a couple extra shakes of cinnamon. Blend on high until smooth, then pour the mixture over a strainer. Some of the liquid will drain through into the glass giving you a very authentic flavor. You’ll need to figure out a way to press the pulp to extract more of the juice, otherwise you’ll get a small glass of cider and a whole bunch of apple sauce!

My preference is to utilize the whole apple by making a smoothie so that I benefit from the whole nutrition and healthy fiber.

Why A Homemade Apple Cider Smoothie Is Better

It can be difficult to find organic apple cider in the stores. Making your own smoothie is a great way to ensure that you are not being exposed to pesticides and chemical residues. Because cider is made with the whole apple, peel and all, I recommend only using organic apples in this recipe.

Unless you get your cider directly from a mill, it will be heat pasteurized as required by the FDA. Heating foods above a certain temperature lowers the nutrient quality and destroys the enzymes. Making your own cider smoothie ensures that you are getting a fresh product made with living, whole foods.

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Tags: apple cider, apples, cinnamon, detox recipe, fall smoothies, recipe, weight loss recipe