Contained by a swing-top, this cider popped out of the bottle like the release of a Champagne cork, mighty bubbles spilling out the scents of sour, sidra-like apple. Add in the factor of tequila barrel-aging and you’ve got yourself a party. Courthouse Creek Cider‘s small-batch series includes a number of one-offs and idiosyncrasies — like a carbonated apple wine infused with the uncommon goumi berry and another with shiitake mushrooms — making Straight, No Chaser one of the tamer options.
The family-operated Virginia cidery uses local fruit — including four acres of their own — to produce this dry cider, then age it in both used tequila and bourbon barrels for the added kick. Cloudy and certainly sour, notes of Granny Smith apple meet the sweetness of both bourbon and agave with the tang of tequila, none of which overpower the apple flavor. Mouthwatering acidity and juicy apple astringency close up this cider that needs no lime.