The Most Memorable Ciders I Drank This Year

by | Dec 29, 2022

From cozy days at home to lucky finds during Northeast adventures, these are the cider moments that stand out to me from the past 12 months.

I slide a Beaver Brook Farm butterflied chicken in the oven to roast and start looking for a bottle to crack โ€” thankfully, past-me took good care of future-me, so thereโ€™s a Hancock Shaker Village (2020) from Berkshire Cider Project squirreled away at the back of the fridge for just this occasion. Featuring apples collected from a historic orchard in Massachusetts, this complex quaff will be an ideal companion to my meal โ€ฆ if I can stop myself from finishing it as an aperitif.

Between shopping in Freeport, Maine, and a hike on Bradbury Mountain, I greet the gabby hens and the friendly cidermaker who welcome visitors to Portersfield Cider. Made with a blend of foraged and cider apples and lightly bottle-conditioned, 18/3 is a gem on its own, but truly sparkles in conjunction with honey, hazelnuts and Winter Hill Farmโ€™s Bradbury Mountain Blue cheese.

On a Halloween adventure to Sleepy Hollow, New York, I wander the bustling TaSH Farmersโ€™ Market and stumble upon Treasury Cider from nearby Hopewell Junction. Burr Knot, an unfiltered mix of crab and bittersweet apples from Fishkill Farm, reveals itself as a tannic star with a hint of sweetness, crisp yet earthy like the October air.

I postpone springtime dinner preparations in favor of a well-laid cheese plate featuring selections from Arethusa Farm on the deck and open a bottle of Eden Ciderโ€™s Sorciรจre โ€” wild-fermented in Newport, Vermont, with wildflower honey and aged a year and a half in the bottle. It sings โ€“ and I listen.
Over zwiebelkuchen and sauerbraten at Schulte und Herr restaurant in Portland, Maine, I get a hot tip from a friend to seek out a bottle of Cornish Cider Companyโ€™s Last Picks. The next day, I snatch up the last bottle at Maine and Loire! Itโ€™s a testament to resourcefulness: Honeycrisp and Northern Spy storage apples only half concentrated on their way to ice cider, so into a used barrel for aging went the wayward juice. I donโ€™t wait for a special occasion to open it โ€” itโ€™s a celebration unto itself.

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Now is the perfect time to cozy up with @TwoKFarms signature mulled cider recipe!

Ingredients:

๐Ÿป 6-Pack Two K Farms Harrison Cider
๐ŸคŽ 3/4 cup Brown Sugar
๐Ÿงน 3 Cinnamon Sticks
๐ŸŒณ 4 Whole Cloves

Optional: Sprinkle of Nutmeg / Cardamom / All Spice

Directions:

Warm everything together, keeping it covered, and never heating it to more than a low simmer. Letting the cider mull for a few hours will result in a more intense spice flavor and aroma. When ready to serve, garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Do you have any special tips for making your cider extra cozy? Share them with us! Have you tried this recipe or something similar? We'd love to hear your thoughts and see your photos! ๐ŸŽโœจ

#SpicedCider #MulledCider #TwoKFarms
The American Cider Association (ACA) announced today the appointment of Monica Cohen as its new Chief Executive Officer. Cohen, a seasoned executive with leadership roles within the food and beverage industry, succeeds Michelle McGrath, who will be stepping down after a highly successful tenure with the organization. 


Welcome to the cider industry @monicainc_ !

Click the link in bio for the full press release!
Finnriver Farm & Cidery has just unveiled their most ambitious creation yet: a 10-year aged Pommeau, crafted to celebrate their 15th anniversary. This rare spirit, made with heirloom apples and a decade of aging, is one of the oldest Pommeau releases in the U.S., boasting unmatched depth and elegance.

Learn more about this special release and how to purchase in the link in bio.

Photo credit: Sarah Wright Photography
๐Ÿฅณ
๐Ÿฅณ The holidays might be over, but the cozy vibes don't have to be! Embrace the chilly winter days with a sweet and spicy treat from @PortlandCider ๐Ÿฉ

These delicious hard cider donuts are surprisingly easy to whip up and will keep the cheer alive all season long!

๐Ÿ‘‰ Tap the link in our bio for the full recipe and bring a little magic to your kitchen! ๐Ÿ”—
Spice up your holiday gatherings with a DIY Cider Bar!

Let your guests get creative and mix their own delicious cider cocktails. Discover unique flavors, experiment with herbs and spices, and surprise your tastebuds. ๐ŸŒฟโœจ

Click the link in our bio for some inspiration from @baumanscider and start a new holiday tradition!

#DIYCiderBar #CiderCocktails #HolidayCheers

Photo Credit: Michael Maher
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Now is the perfect time to cozy up with @TwoKFarms signature mulled cider recipe!

Ingredients:

๐Ÿป 6-Pack Two K Farms Harrison Cider
๐ŸคŽ 3/4 cup Brown Sugar
๐Ÿงน 3 Cinnamon Sticks
๐ŸŒณ 4 Whole Cloves

Optional: Sprinkle of Nutmeg / Cardamom / All Spice

Directions:

Warm everything together, keeping it covered, and never heating it to more than a low simmer. Letting the cider mull for a few hours will result in a more intense spice flavor and aroma. When ready to serve, garnish with a cinnamon stick.

Do you have any special tips for making your cider extra cozy? Share them with us! Have you tried this recipe or something similar? We'd love to hear your thoughts and see your photos! ๐ŸŽโœจ

#SpicedCider #MulledCider #TwoKFarms
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