Quarter the apples (no need to seed or core them) and place in a medium pot. Add water and bring pot to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cover. The water wont' cover all the apples at first - that's okay. As they release their liquid and become softer, just mash them down using a potato masher. Allow the mixture to cook for one hour and then mash the apples again before straining them out using a cheesecloth. The sweetness of your cider base will vary based on the apples used - if desired, you can add a bit of honey or maple syrup to make it sweeter.