Pretty, effervescent and primed for warmer weather, rosé cider is set to be the drink of spring and summer 2018. Because of its Instagram aesthetic and affable sessionability, rosé wine, and indirectly influenced cider, has been gaining popularity, according to recent Nielson reports. The data research company also noted sales for the pink wine were up roughly 40 percent in 2017 and that last year’s sales soared over $200 million. The blush color has even garnered the name “millennial pink” for its popularity among the young adult generation.
The pink hue of some of these ciders comes from red-fleshed apples that actually have red or pink insides, fermenting into a naturally pink drink, while others get the rosy tint from the help of hibiscus, berries and even grape skins. Below you’ll find a wide variety of rosé ciders that taste just as good as they look, and offer a refreshing twist on what cider can be. Pack up a picnic, find a relaxing spot and don’t forget your something pink.
Angry Orchard Rosé
Angry Orchard is best known for its wide variety of vastly distributed hard ciders, but new to the game is their Rosé cider. The pink drink is made from red-fleshed apples sourced in France, with names like Amour Rouge and Red Love, along with domestic apples and hibiscus. Angry Orchard’s new sip boasts a distinctly apple taste with a refreshing dry finish, hit with the floral touch. It is now available year-round and will be perfect when warmer weather comes around.
Wölffer No. 139 Dry Rosé
Born and raised in the Hamptons on Long Island, Wölffer’s No. 139 Dry Rosé is meant for long spring and summer evenings next to the crashing waves of the ocean, or wherever the season finds you. The apples that comprise this cider are grown in New York State, from the nearby Halsey Apple Orchard. No. 139 is a sparkling, subtle blush-pink color and comes in a four-pack of 12-ounce bottles. The dry taste and pretty packaging makes No. 139 the perfect companion to a sunset.
Original Sin Dry Rosé
This rosé cider is so subtle you hardly notice the slight blush tone. Original Sin’s Dry Rosé is made with apples from New York State, fermenting into a refreshing and semi-dry sip with a tart end note. Original Sin produces its rosé cider uniquely by adding grape skin extract which makes it slightly sweeter than other rose ciders with a touch of pink. The cidery suggests pairing the cider with foods like prosciutto and melon, or really anything you can cook up on a grill.
Virtue Cider Rosé
Hailing from the great state of Michigan, Virtue Cider’s rosé cider returns for its third year in 12-ounce cans. Michigan-grown apples — like Jonathans, McIntosh and Northern Spy — are blended with a proprietary botanical blend — a bill including citrus oil, sage and hibiscus — for a brightly floral sipper and hints of grapefruit peel and just-ripe red fruits. Virtue suggests pairing a six-pack of the cider with soft ripened cheeses or even garden vegetables.
Crispin Rosé
The California-based Crispin Cider uses raw, unpasteurized American apples and pears in its ciders and the rosé — released just in January — is no different. A blend of apple and pear juice is melded with rose petals and hibiscus, with effervescent bubbles and a light sweetness make it refreshing for the first day of spring.
Bold Rock Rosé
If you’re packing a picnic don’t forget the bottle opener for this one. Bold Rock’s rosé cider comes in clear 12-ounce bottles, so it’s easy to see the blush color of the cider inside. The cider maintains a classic apple base flavor but with it comes hints of berry and a vibrant finish. Bold Rock also boasts its cider contains one-third fewer calories than others in the game.
Cidrerie Michel Jodoin Crackling Rosé
From the orchards of Québec’s Monteregie region comes this grower-maker’s Crackling Rosé. Made from McIntosh and the pink-fleshed Geneva apples, this cider is sprightly in its bubbles and lightly pinked, resulting in a fresh and refreshing sip with hints of floral and fresh apple. The cidery recommends matching this medium-dry rosé cider with seafood and sunshine.
Alpenfire Glow
Perhaps with the darkest hue of the bunch Alpen Fire’s Glow, made of red-fleshed apples by the Port Townsend, Washington, producer. This rosé cider is tart with notes of tropical fruit and is light on carbonation to get the full effect of the unique fruit in the bottle.
Square Mile Rosé
Rose hips and hibiscus give this juicy, red appled cider its shade and botanical undertones. Crisp, clean and available in six-packs, this bottle is an easy-drinker and crowd-pleaser, finishing semi-dry and bright.
