We love sparkling apple cider, but many commercial products are made with high fructose corn syrup and preservatives. It’s actually quite easy to make your own with your at-home soda machine, or store-bought carbonated water. This is perfect for New Year celebrations, or any other celebration where you’d like a little non-alcoholic bubbly to sip.

Homemade Vegan and Gluten Free Sparkling Apple Cider

Ingredients:

12 apples
Soda Stream or other soda-maker, or, 3 liters bottled carbonated water

Directions:

Peel and core the apples, then cut them into small cubes. Put the apples in a large pot and add enough water to cover the apples by about 1/4 inch (the apples may start to float, so use your best
estimation). Bring the water to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Allow the apples to simmer until they’ve become mushy, stirring constantly to avoid burning. This could take up to 20 minutes, so be patient.
Once the apples have completely broken down, strain them into a large bowl, pressing down on them until all the juice is squeezed out. Place the juice back in the pot (ensure that all of the apple chunks are
out) and simmer until reduced by half. You now have apple concentrate.

To make sparkling apple cider, simply carbonate water as you would to make any soda. In a pitcher combine the sparkling water with the apple concentrate in a 3:1 measurement. If you like a stronger taste, simply add a little more of the apple concentrate.

For a fun and elegant presentation: fill champagne flutes with the sparkling apple cider and add a few berries of your choosing to the glasses.