Fruited ciders are definitely on the rise, and when the warm weather season hits, it’s all about summer berries. Given the creativity in the cider industry, the options for berry ciders are plentiful from blueberry and blackberry ciders to strawberry and huckleberry. But on a hot day? Nothing compares to a refreshing raspberry cider.
Typically, raspberry ciders are made by introducing the fresh red fruit into the game later on in the cidermaking process. But the way the fruit is handled certainly varies. Some cideries opt to use late-season raspberries for a juicier cider, while others work with early-season berries paired with citrus for an added kick. To get you started on what to sip as we kick off summer, read on for eight delicious raspberry ciders.
Wingman | Lost Boy Cider – Alexandria, Va.
Lost Boy has created the perfect East Coast meets West Coast cider in this mashup of Virginia apples and raspberries from Oregon. (And its peach hue is as pretty as can be!) Aged in stainless steel and with zero grams of residual sugar, this raspberry cider is crisp, dry and wildly refreshing for a hot summer’s day – or any other day, for that matter. | 6.9% ABV
Petal to the Medal | 12 Bridge Ciderworks – Oregon City, Ore.
It’s not often you find a berry cider that’s gone botanical, but 12 Bridge pulled it off flawlessly. It kicks off with a stunning ruby hue, leading into beautiful floral notes on the nose. Each sip is perfectly balanced with a hint of raspberry, a slight tartness from the lemon and beautiful floral notes from the inclusion of rose petals. It’s dry, super light and super sippable. | 6.8% ABV
Spring Fling | Pierced Ciderworks – Ft. Pierce, Fla.
Aptly named, this cider is as juicy, fun and fruity as it gets. It’s perfectly blended for delicious balance, all while showcasing the most beautiful pink hue. Unfiltered with robust apples and a touch of raspberry, Pierced Ciderworks hit the mouthfeel right on the nose to make for the perfect spring-to-summer companion. | 10.3% ABV
Razzberry | Portland Cider Company – Portland, Ore.
Portland Cider Co. brings raspberries to the party with this super juicy cider. It’s semi-sweet for easy sipping, with the taste of bright raspberries shining through. Balanced with a hint of tartness from the addition of lemon and lime, it’s perfect when you need a thirst-quencher on a sunny summer day. | 5.8% ABV
Fleeting Youth | Ash & Elm Cider Co. – Indianapolis, Ind.
If you could put candy in a can and call it cider, this is exactly what it would turn out to be. Ash & Elm nailed this refreshing cider on the head with the perfect balance of juicy raspberry, paired with just a hint of tartness from the lemon. It’s semi-sweet and wildly crushable for any occasion. | 6.5% ABV
Raspberry |Nine Pin Cider – Albany, N.Y.
Nine Pin does it again with another incredible cider, and thankfully it’s bottled in a 750ml bottle so there’s plenty to sip on. Right out of the gate you get incredibly powerful raspberry aromas on the nose. Your first sip will prove that late-season raspberries are the star of the show of this juicy, co-fermented cider. It’s perfectly balanced with a hint of delicious tartness to make it easily enjoyable. | 5.7% ABV
Raspberry | Stem Ciders – Denver, Colo.
Hailing from Colorado, this raspberry cider from Stem Ciders shows off with luscious raspberry aromas and intense flavor. Made with fresh-pressed apples and finished with raspberry puree, it’s a great dry option for approachable, crisp refreshment. As an added bonus, it’s available year-round! | 6.7%
Rasé | Ragged Hill Cider – West Brookfield, Mass.
While there are many cideries making rosé ciders utilizing red-fleshed apples, Ragged Hill turned to raspberries for their brilliant ruby hue and delicious flavor. Using their semi-dry cider as the base, this sipper is turned up a notch with the addition of raspberries to offer great balance, with a hint of sweetness and tartness. But those aren’t just any raspberries added into the mix. This easy sipper is made that much better with the addition of Ragged Hill’s own orchard-grown berries. | 5% ABV
