I made my second cider run recently (one can really only have a go once a year if it's got to be our own apples!) and it turned out fine. Both runs have had a little bit of beer wort in them too: caramel malts are absolutely my recommendation to try. Makes it ferment better too.

I'd like it stronger (tastewise) though. So an idea has been brewing as the cider has been flowing: could I 'boil down' the apple juice without heating it by using a Vevor vacuum chamber and pump? I don't know if the pump would be happy with water vapour, but since the Vevor kit is only 140 € for 18 liter capacity, I'd really like to try this.

I pick elderberry and add the juice to some of my crabapple wine for a more complex taste.

Just so you know how my last attempts went- baroque is really good but after a year it starts getting bit of bland off taste, spice mix I used tasted like Christmas can't explain it differently - it was pretty much same spice you use for gingerbread, hops need bit more time to age to loose some bitterness (maybe I added too much).

So yes the herbs are bit no brainer to try next and lot of options what to use.

If you can get your hands on pears, add pears to the apples, at a ratio of about 1/4.