How to Make Spiced Pear Cider (Easy Homemade Recipe)

This homemade pear cider recipe is perfect for that time of year when you’re craving a warm, comforting drink and some aromatic fall spices. Slightly sweeter cider than homemade apple cider, pear cider has rich, unique flavor profiles and a smooth texture that’s perfect to serve at fall gatherings or to warm you up on a chilly day!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Easy

This easy pear cider recipe can be thrown together effortlessly! Combine all of the ingredients in a pot or slow cooker and let it simmer. Next, strain the spices out and enjoy…that’s it!

Healthy

This simple recipe for homemade cider is made with all real food ingredients and natural sweeteners. The natural sugar content and flavor of pears with a bit of maple syrup make this recipe perfectly sweet and tasty. There is no need for processed sweeteners, thickeners, or artificial flavorings in this healthy recipe!

Delicious

The naturally high sugar levels in pears are complimented by sweet maple syrup, while lemons and spices round out the sweetness with tart and aromatic tastes. A little salt brings everything together in warm, spicy and smooth perfection in this sweet cider. 

Simple Ingredients in This Pear Cider

Pear Juice: you can find organic pear juice at many grocery stores, or you can use ripe pears and make your own ear juice at home! See how to easily make your own pear juice below.

Maple Syrup: this ingredient adds just a tad more sweetness and brings out the pear flavor even more. You can substitute the maple syrup with brown sugar if you like, or skip the maple syrup all together for a less sweet variation!

Spices: cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and allspice are used in this simple pear cider recipe. Simmering the pear juice with the whole spices make an aromatic flavor that is so comforting and tasty!

Lemon Juice: a little extra acidity really adds to the flavor in this recipe. Make sure to use fresh lemon juice for the best taste.

Salt: the first time I made this pear cider I didn’t add salt at first. It seemed like it was missing something…so I took a chance and added just a pinch of saltiness. That was it! Turns out hot, spiced cider tastes much better with just a little salt (like most sweet things do, in my opinion). 

How to Make Pear Juice from Fresh Pears (No Juicer Needed)

The best results for pear cider are made with juice from fresh pears, but you can also just buy a high quality pear juice. If you happen to have a pear tree or access to an abundance of pears, this is a great way to use them up! 

1. First, peel and core the pears.
2. Cut the pears into small pieces, and blend them in a high speed blender. 
3. Filter the pear puree through a cheese cloth. 
4. Now you have pear juice to make sweet pear cider!

What Type of Pears to Use?

Use can use a wide variety of pears to make pear juice, just make sure they are ripe and sweet pears. Asian pears are not the best option since they are very different from other types of pears. 

How to Store Pear Cider

Refrigerating

To store finished cider in the fridge, let it cool to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight glass container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. 

Freezing

To freeze pear cider in mason jars, fill jars with cider to the fill line (about 1 inch below the rim of the jar) and place in the freezer without a lid for 8 hours or overnight. Once the cider in fully frozen, secure with a lid. Adding a lid before the liquid is fully frozen can lead to the glass breaking because of the expansion of the liquid. 

Canning

I’m not well-versed at canning, but as long as enough lemon juice has been added to this recipe it should be safe to can using a water bath method. I don’t know the exact pH of the finished cider, so make sure to check canning guidelines and add more lemon juice if needed. You could also preserve this recipe using a pressure canning method. 

How to Serve Spiced Pear Cider

My favorite childhood memories of spiced cider were on cold, late fall mornings hunting for the right Christmas tree, and going to chilly morning fall yard sales. It was always served in little Styrofoam cups, followed by watered-down, packaged hot cocoa with little marshmallows. Humble as these little cups of cider and hot cocoa were, it goes to show how a hot drink can really turn bitter, cold mornings into some of the greatest mornings of all!

That being said, I highly recommend enjoying this spiced pear cider hot. You could just drink leftover cider cold, but I think it deserves the few minutes it takes to warm it back up!

How to Make Easy Spiced Pear Cider

Add pear juice, whole spices, lemon juice, and salt to a large pot or slow cooker.

Bring to a low boil, then stir and reduce heat to a low simmer.

Simmer on the stove for about 1 hour, or in a slow cooker set to high for about 4 hours. 

Filter cider through a fine mesh sieve into a heat proof bowl, pitcher, or thermos. 

Serve hot, and enjoy!