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When it comes to the world of cider, inspiration comes in several different forms. Whether it is the beer community, holiday inspiration, or cocktails, modern cider is the looking glass of tradition and experimentation. Given the rising presence of the ready-to-drink (RTD) market, cideries have been inspired to make hard ciders influenced by our favorite cocktails. We have put together a list of the top 10 cocktail-inspired ciders.
Old Fashion – Graft Cider’s Back Country
ABV: 6.9%
Description:
Similar to its namesake, Back Country tastes like an Old Fashioned Cocktail. You won’t need to build a fire this fall to stay warm.
What’s in an Old Fashion typically?
An Old fashion can be made a few ways but they typically contain whiskey, sugar, angostura bitters and an orange peel or cherry for garnish.
Website: Graft Cider
Moscow Mule – Stowe Cider’s Electric Current
ABV: 6.9%
Description:
A black currant Moscow Mule inspired cider which is tart and pops with flavor.
What’s in a Moscow Mule typically?
This is one of those simple cocktails. All you need is vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer. There are many takes on a Moscow Mule that bars commonly play with.
Website: Stowe Cider
Paloma – Blakes Hard Cider’s Paloma
ABV: 6.5 %
Description:
This hard cider is the first in the lineup for their Bar Cart Series. Paloma can be sipped as a cider or splashed like a mixer. It has the fizzy, grapefruit and lime flavors of the original cocktail but with a agave hard cider twist.
What is in a paloma typically?
A classic! Grapefruit juice or soda, tequila, club soda, and lime juice.
Website: Blake’s Hard Cider
Sangria – Woodchuck Cider’s Sangria
ABV: 5.5%
Description:
A semi-sweet cider with notes of red wine, citrus and berry to give a full-bodied taste inspired by Sangria.
How do you typically make Sangria?
Sangria contains wine, some sort of sweetener, a liquor, a mixer, and fruit.
Website: Woodchuck’s Cider
Margarita – Geo Cider’s Margarita
ABV: 5%
Description:
An apple cider that starts with hints of anejo tequila and orange, finishing with a buttery apple.
What is typically in a margarita?
Tequila, orange liquor, lime juice, and simple syrup.
Website: Geo Cider
Manhattan – Kings Highway’s The Manhattan
ABV: 6.9%
Description:
Flavored with bourbon, orange, and cherry, This cider has a dry, smooth bourbon experience with a mild fruit taste. 100% Hudson Valley apples fermented completely dry. Light bourbon-barrel aged, fermented with cherries and orange peel. There is zero-sugar, no preservatives or sulfites. King Highway’s The Manhattan comes in a 4 pack of 12oz cans.
What is typically in a Manhattan?
A Manhattan is a cocktail made with whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. While rye is the traditional whiskey of choice, other commonly used whiskies include Canadian whisky, bourbon, blended whiskey, and Tennessee whiskey.
Website: Kings Highway
Mojito – One Tree Hard Cider’s Mojito
ABV: 6.9%
Description:
We’ve tapped into Latin culture and crafted a local spin on a Cuban classic for a deliciously refreshing hard cider. Lime, Mint, and a hint of Jalapeno make this cider muy beuno.
What is typically in a mojito?
Mojito is a traditional Cuban highball. The cocktail often consists of five ingredients: white rum, sugar, lime juice, soda water, and mint. Its combination of sweetness, citrus, and herbaceous mint flavors is intended to complement the rum, and has made the mojito a popular summer drink.
Website: One Tree Hard Cider
Mimosa – Starcut Cider’s Mosa
ABV: 4.3%
Description:
Mosa is a crisp, refreshing blend of Hard Cider made from Michigan apples and sweet orange juice. This cider is slightly hazy and light orange in color, a true mimosa in cider form. Let the fruity harmony of citrus and bright apple flavors make your tastebuds do a happy dance.
How do you typically make a mimosa?
This one is real simple. To make a mimosa, you generally mix orange juice and champagne. In some cases, you can sub the orange juice for other citrus juice and/or use any sparkling beverage you want to sub the champagne. Beer-mosas and cider-mosas are a thing for a reason!
Website: Starcut Cider
Spritz – C2 Cider’s Cuhl Cucumber Spritz
ABV: 5.5%
Description:
Cooling cucumber and fresh spring mint compliment the bright crisp apple character of this sparkling cider. 2018 Silver Medal, Best in Class, GLINTCAP
How do you typically make a spritz?
A spritz is a wine-based cocktail made with prosecco, a bitter liqueur such as Aperol, Campari, or Cynar, and sparkling soda water. It’s typically served over ice in a wine glass, lowball glass, or martini glass with an orange wedge garnish.
Website: C Squared Cider
Pina Colada – Ciderboy’s Tiki Colada
ABV:
Description:
The epitome of relaxing in the sun. Whether it’s the white sands of the Caribbean, a little backyard living, or kicking it with your crew. Our ripe apple base gets carved into a quenchable pineapple-coconut totem in Tiki Colada. Carve out some time for yourself.
How do you typically make a pina colada?
The piña colada is typically made with rum, cream of coconut or coconut milk, and pineapple juice — served with ice either blended or shaken. Generally, it is garnished with a pineapple wedge or a maraschino cherry.
Website: CiderBoys
