(Albany, N.Y.) – As the thaw of spring begins across New York, pollinators that help bring orchards and farms back to life begin to emerge. Nine Pin Ciderworks is celebrating the moment with the return of Honey Hibiscus, a bright floral cider made with local honey and crafted to highlight the bees that help make New York agriculture possible.
The honey used in this cider is made by New York bees, sourced from Southern Adirondack Apiaries, and paired with apples from Samascott Orchards in Kinderhook, as well as hibiscus starfruit green tea from Short and Stout Tea in Albany. Together, these ingredients create a lightly tart cider with delicate floral notes and a smooth honeyed finish that reflects the energy of early spring.
Pollinators play a vital role in New York agriculture. Each year honey bee colonies help pollinate more than $300 million worth of crops across the state including apples, grapes, and pumpkins. At the same time, both managed honey bees and many native pollinator species face growing pressures from habitat loss, disease, pesticide exposure, and climate-related changes.
Honey Hibiscus highlights the connection between New York orchards, apiaries, and producers whose work depends on healthy pollinators and thriving agriculture. For Nine Pin, supporting pollinators begins with supporting the farms and apiaries that care for them.
“Choosing New York ingredients is an intentional commitment,” said Alejandro del Peral, co-founder and head cidermaker at Nine Pin Ciderworks. “When we make our selection of ingredients such as local honey and apples, we’re investing in the farmers, beekeepers, and pollinators that make cider possible in the first place.”
In addition to releasing the cider, Nine Pin will be highlighting the importance of bees and pollinators through a series of educational efforts.
A guest speaker from Southern Adirondack Beekeepers Association will be coming to the tasting room to discuss the state of bee health in New York, how these small but essential creatures support our farms and food systems, and simple ways people can help pollinators thrive in their communities. A series of pollinator-focused content will also be shared across its social media channels in the coming months. Additional details will be announced soon; guests are encouraged to check the events page and Nine Pin’s social media channels for updates.
Through the release of Honey Hibiscus and its pollinator education campaign, Nine Pin is inviting cider drinkers to take part in a simple idea: Keep New York Buzzing. By choosing cider made with local honey and New York-grown fruit, consumers help support the farms, apiaries, and ecosystems that make the state’s harvests possible.
Honey Hibiscus is now available in the Nine Pin tasting room in Albany and in 12oz 4-packs at retailers across the region.
Cider enthusiasts can enjoy Nine Pin’s fresh-pressed hard ciders seven days a week in their Tasting Room located in Albany’s increasingly popular Warehouse District, at retailers across New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey and at bars and restaurants who carry Nine Pin products. Nine Pin’s online stores serve fans throughout New York and across the United States.
For more information about Nine Pin, visit, www.ninepincider.com.
