Cider Substitute

Can’t find apple cider? Here’s an easy substitution that can be used in any cider-centric recipe.

Unlike most other fruit juices, apple cider contains residual solids from the pressing process. These solids make the cider cloudy but also give it a full, rich apple flavor. (Clarified apple juice, by contrast, is usually clear and less flavorful.) In Massachusetts, where America’s Test Kitchen is located, we’re blessed with a year-round supply of apple cider, but since many of you aren’t so lucky, we developed an easy substitution that can be used in any cider-centric recipe, such as our Cider Sauce. For each cup of cider, substitute a combination of ¾ cup apple juice and ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce.