Cider Recipes Archives - Cider Culture https://www.ciderculture.com/category/cider-recipes/ Celebrating the culture of cider producers and consumers. Wed, 06 Mar 2024 20:43:30 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 Recipe: Tropical Spiced Tea Party Cider Cocktail https://www.ciderculture.com/tropical-spiced-tea-party-cider-cocktail/ https://www.ciderculture.com/tropical-spiced-tea-party-cider-cocktail/#respond Tue, 05 Mar 2024 19:13:51 +0000 https://www.ciderculture.com/?p=130220 Tea-infused ciders are so nice on a chilly night, sipped from beneath a fluffy blanket, or maybe sitting around a Scrabble board. Schilling Cider Chaider Spiced Chai cider is a great example of the category: The chai spice blend, which is custom-made for them by fellow Portland-based small biz, Kinglet Tea, is perfectly balanced, with…

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Tea-infused ciders are so nice on a chilly night, sipped from beneath a fluffy blanket, or maybe sitting around a Scrabble board. Schilling Cider Chaider Spiced Chai cider is a great example of the category: The chai spice blend, which is custom-made for them by fellow Portland-based small biz, Kinglet Tea, is perfectly balanced, with just the tiniest hint of sweetness.

The warming spices in Schilling’s Chaider made us think of tropical tiki drinks, so we developed a loose riff on a classic Mai Tai. Instead of coconut rum we stick with traditional spiced rum, and included pineapple and lime (no orgeat syrup or amaretto is called for, because do people actually have that stuff at home?), along with the cider. Cheers!

Tropical Spiced Tea Party

Ready in: 5 minutes

Makes: 1 cocktail

Ingredients

  • 1.5 oz. spiced rum
  • 1 oz. pineapple juice
  • 0.5 oz. lime juice
  • 6 oz. (1/2 can) Schilling Chaider

Method

  1. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add the rum, pineapple and lime juices. Shake.
  2. Strain into a tall glass filled with ice. Top with spiced chai cider and garnish with a lime wheel.
  • Recipe and photo: Emily Kovach for Cider Culture

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5 Fresh, Fizzy Cider Champagne Cocktails to Try https://www.ciderculture.com/cider-champagne-cocktails/ https://www.ciderculture.com/cider-champagne-cocktails/#respond Wed, 24 Jan 2024 19:03:04 +0000 https://www.ciderculture.com/?p=130494 cider champagne cocktailsThere’s something so luxurious about champagne cocktails, often served in sleek glassware and redolent of citrus, flowers or herbal spirits. These sparkling bevs can lend a air of “partying on a boat” or “date with a hot Frenchman” or “cheers, darling” to one’s night. Despite their glamorous vibes, champagne cocktails are no biggie to throw…

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There’s something so luxurious about champagne cocktails, often served in sleek glassware and redolent of citrus, flowers or herbal spirits. These sparkling bevs can lend a air of “partying on a boat” or “date with a hot Frenchman” or “cheers, darling” to one’s night.

Despite their glamorous vibes, champagne cocktails are no biggie to throw together, and are actually usually easier to make than more spirit-forward concoctions. And the best part is that in nearly all champagne cocktails, you can swap out the sparkling wine for sparkling cider, which lends even more complexity and brightness to the glass!

Want to take these chic cocktails for a spin? We’ve got five classic champagne cocktails where cider effortlessly steps in to make things more delicious and interesting.

Mimosa & Bellini

Cider Champagne Cocktails
Famously a breezy hair-of-the-dog drink at brunch, mimosas (sparkling wine + orange juice) and bellinis (sparkling wine + peach nectar) can truly be enjoyed any time of the day. Instead of using sub-par Prosecco, reach for your favorite citrus or peach cider to craft these sunny, bright orange cocktails. Some good ones include Jack’s Hard Cider Peach, Bauman’s Cider Peach Bellini, Starcut Ciders Mosa and ACE SpACE Blood Orange Cider. A crisp, dryish all-apple cider of your choice can also work beautifully!

Cider Mimosa or Cider Bellini

Makes 2 cocktails

Ingredients

  •  8-10 ounces hard cider of your choice, chilled
  • 4 ounces orange juice or peach nectar, chilled

Method

  1. Fill 2 chilled champagne flutes with 4 or 5 ounces of craft cider.
  2. Top each glass with 2 ounces each of juice or nectar.

Aperol Spritz


The Aperol Spritz is literally the perfect drink for happy hour (or aperitivo, if you want to be fancy about it). It’s fruity, bitter, pleasantly fizzy and not too boozy, and it can go toe-to-toe with all the salty snacks, like olives, charcuterie, popcorn and potato chips. Substituting hard cider here is a no-brainer and makes for a wildly refreshing experience. To most closely mimic a classic Aperol Spritz, choose a cider that’s very dry and crisp with no adjunct flavors, perhaps made with wine yeast, like Golden State Cider Brut, Alpenfire Traditional Cuvée or Minneapolis Cider Brut.

Cider Aperol Spritz

Makes 2 cocktails

Ingredients

  • 6 ounces hard cider, chilled
  • 3 ounces Aperol
  • Soda water or seltzer
  • Two orange slices, for garnish

Method

  1. Fill 2 wine glasses with ice. To each glass, add 3 ounces of cider and 1.5 ounces of Aperol. Stir.
  2. Top with about 1 ounce of soda water or seltzer, stir again, and garnish with an orange slice.

French 75

Cider Champagne Cocktails
The French 75 is a true classic — its roots can be traced all the way back to 1915 (to Paris, of course). Usually, this elegant cocktail is made with a combination of gin, lemon juice, sparkling wine and simple syrup. Use a lemon or sour cider instead for a bold, tangy, palate-cleansing cocktail! Try Dressler Estate Cider Dolores, Wild Cider Lemon Basil, Under the Bridge Cider Lemon Crush or Brooklyn Cider House Half-Sour.

Cider French 75

Makes 2 cocktails

Ingredients

  • 6 ounces hard cider, chilled
  • 2 ounces gin
  • 1 ounce lemon juice
  • 1 ounce simple syrup
  • Lemon peel, for garnish

Method

  1. Add all ingredients except cider into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake hard, and strain evenly into 2 champagne flutes.
  2. Top each glass with 3 ounces of hard cider. Garnish with a lemon peel.

Kir Royale

The Kir Royale is another French cocktail (they sure know how to party in style, eh?), often enjoyed as an aperitif before a meal. It’s just two ingredients: champagne and crème de cassis, a black currant liqueur. To make a cider-ified version, leave out the champers, and instead use either a dry cider, or, if you prefer an extra dash of fruity sweetness, a rosé cider! You probably already have your favorite rosé cider on lock, but if you want to try something new, use Bryant Cider’s Unicorn Fuel, Eden Cider Brut Rosé or ANXO Rosé. Or, dial up the black currant flavors with Meriweather Cider Black Currant Crush or Finn River Farm & Cider Black Currant Cider!

Cider Kir Royale

Makes 2 cocktails

Ingredients

  • 10 ounces hard cider, chilled
  • 1 ounce crème de cassis
  • Fresh berries, for garnish

Method

  1. Pour 0.5 ounce crème de cassis into the bottom of 2 champagne flutes.
  2. Slowly pour 5 ounces of the cider into each glass. Garnish with a fresh blackberries or raspberries.

Party Punch

Cider Champagne CocktailsWho doesn’t love a big glass bowl full of fruity, fizzy punch at the center of a party spread? Our only complaint is that sometimes, they’re too cloyingly sweet, or too sneakily boozy. Lots of punch recipes call for sparkling wine and a spirit and sometimes even a sugary soda. Using cider in place of sparkling wine takes care of all of those potential issues: it brings a natural, juicy sweetness; it has lower ABV than wine; and it totally eliminates the needs for any kind of soda. To maximize the punchiness factor, if you will, crack open a few cans of your favorite luscious, fruity cider, like Big Hill Ciderworks Farmhouse Cherry, La Familia Jamaica Hibiscus Cider, Swift Cider Pomegranate or Blake’s Hard Cider Triple Jam.

Cider Party Punch

Serves lots of your friends

Ingredients

  • 40 ounces of your choice hard cider, chilled (about 3.5 12-oz. cans or 1.5 750-ml bottles)
  • 4 cups pomegranate juice, chilled
  • 1 cup vodka, gin or white rum, chilled
  • 1/2 cup lime juice, chilled
  • 1/2 cup pomegranate arils (seeds) and 1 lime, sliced into wheels, for garnish

Method

  1. In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients, except garnish, and stir thoroughly. Taste and adjust to your liking.
  2. Add the pomegranate arils and lime slices as garnish and serve. On a hot day, you may need to add some ice cubes to keep the punch cold!

What are your favorite cider champagne cocktails? Let us know!

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Cider Loves Food: Comfort Food and Cider https://www.ciderculture.com/comfort-food-and-cider/ https://www.ciderculture.com/comfort-food-and-cider/#respond Tue, 23 Jan 2024 15:08:44 +0000 https://www.ciderculture.com/?p=130791 comfort food and ciderIn our column, “Cider Loves Food,” contributor Meredith Collins (blogger extraordinaire at Along Came a Cider) is looking at different cuisines and finding the perfect ciders to help take your meals to the next level. Though Spring may technically be here, there are lots of blustery, wet and muddy days still to come. But that isn’t anything to…

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In our column, “Cider Loves Food,” contributor Meredith Collins (blogger extraordinaire at Along Came a Cider) is looking at different cuisines and finding the perfect ciders to help take your meals to the next level.

Though Spring may technically be here, there are lots of blustery, wet and muddy days still to come. But that isn’t anything to dread! There’s a wonderful vibrance and potential in these transitional Spring days, which can help us feel wonderfully alive. 

Nonetheless, a warm hearty meal at home is sometimes just what we need to make the most of this season of growth. So, I’ve put together a list of cozy, familiar comfort foods (with links to recipes) and some ciders that pair beautifully with them. 

Lasagna

comfort food and cider

I’ve been a fan of lasagna since my youth, probably because my mom’s vegetarian lasagna is savory and delicious. I never missed the meat because there’s so much umami richness in the layers of cheese, sauce and veggies. 

I recommend pairing veggie lasagna with Alpenfire Cider’s 2020 Glow Airlie Red Rosé Cider. I’ve chosen this pairing for two main reasons: The Airlie Red cider has the necessary acidity to cut through the hefty portions of ricotta and mozzarella, and the cider matches the bold intensity of a tangy red sauce.

Mashed Potatoes

comfort food and cider

There are so many ways to make mashed potatoes, but no matter your technique, in my book they need to be creamy, but not gluey, neither too smooth nor lumpy, and intensely flavorful. Starting with really good Yukon Gold potatoes is key! 

For mashed potatoes, I recommend an ultra-dry, super-bubbly, high-acid cider like Farnum Hill Extra Dry. The bubbles and acidity both help with lifting what can be a heavy dish. This cider is also complex enough that pairing it with something relatively straightforward allows the many flavors of the cider to sing.

Chicken Pot Pie or Fisherman’s Pie

comfort food and cider

I didn’t grow up eating chicken pot pie or anything like it. At first I was too picky, and then my family stopped eating meat. Now I love a savory pie, and I’ve included two variations that both pair beautifully with a semi-sweet fruity cider. 

There’s no shortage of good options here, but I’m partial to Rosé for Sal by Angry Orchard’s Innovation Cider House in Walden, New York. This fruited cider uses tart blueberries and New York state apples to make a wonderfully balanced blueberry rosé. The creamy roux-based sauce for both of the pies really contrasts deliciously with something fruity and fun. Or if you want to try something brand new, Two Town’s Ciderhouse just released The Baddie with Pink Lady apples and amazing floral botanicals.

Vegetarian Chili

comfort food and cider

You’ll need two ciders for this one because the recipe calls for 12 ounces of beer, but it’s so much more delightful if you sub in cider instead. The cider you cook with matters less, but for the pairing, go with a whiskey- or bourbon-barrel-aged cider. 

Barrel-aged ciders often feature notes of butterscotch, bread crumbs and delightfully bourbon-y aromas, which helps them stand up to the powerful flavors of a good chili. Bauman’s Cider makes a Bourbon Barrel Vanilla Cider that I particularly recommend if you like your chili extra spicy. The vanilla and bourbon barrel notes interplay with spice in a way you don’t want to miss.

Apple Macaroni-and-Cheese

In the Fall, apple macaroni-and-cheese is a fan-favorite at our local apple harvest festival. I like it so much that I make it year round. You can approach the pairing in a few different ways, and definitely can’t go wrong with a semi-sweet and fruity high acid cider, like Uncle John’s Cider’s Blossom Blend or Schilling Hard Cider’s Spaceport Imperial Pineapple. If your pairing goal is to enhance the subtle fruit of apple in macaroni-and-cheese, doubling down with a strongly fruity cider pulls the dish in just the right direction.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I simply can’t talk about comfort food without mentioning one of the most reliable shortcuts to happiness that exists on this planet: chocolate chip cookies. They offer everything I want in a delightful and portable package: chocolatey, sweet, just a bit salty! And while they can be either as chewy or crispy as the baker desires, my preference is soft and chewy. Though milk is the traditional beverage accompaniment, I’d like to suggest Threadbare Cider’s Farmhouse Cider instead. This cider offers its own version of everything good as well; the cider is tart, bubbly, minerally, and just a little bit sweet. 

This is just a short list of some of my favorite comfort foods; I’m sure everyone has their own lineup, whether from childhood memories or their own culinary achievements. Hopefully these pairing recommendations can help you enjoy them all over again, this time with some delicious ciders. Cheers!

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Cider Loves Food: Holiday Meals and Winter Feasts https://www.ciderculture.com/cider-for-holiday-meals/ https://www.ciderculture.com/cider-for-holiday-meals/#respond Wed, 20 Dec 2023 15:24:38 +0000 https://www.ciderculture.com/?p=128763 cider for holidays mealsIn our column, “Cider Loves Food,” contributor Meredith Collins (blogger extraordinaire at Along Came a Cider) suggests the perfect ciders to help take your meals to the next level. We are quickly approaching the season of winter holidays. Between now and mid-January, we’ll pass through many celebrations and observations. Whether your favorite tradition consists of a marathon rewatch…

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In our column, “Cider Loves Food,” contributor Meredith Collins (blogger extraordinaire at Along Came a Cider) suggests the perfect ciders to help take your meals to the next level.

We are quickly approaching the season of winter holidays. Between now and mid-January, we’ll pass through many celebrations and observations. Whether your favorite tradition consists of a marathon rewatch of Lord of the Rings or baking enough to give everyone on your gift list a sugar coma, there’s room for cider. 

My holidays are going to be low-key this year; it’s time to tackle a big house project during my time off. Though I have plans to scrape more wallpaper than wrap gifts, and I won’t be crossing state lines for big family gatherings, I still want to do something to honor the longest night of the year. Here’s my plan for a family solstice dinner with cider pairings. Perhaps it can give you some ideas for a tasty time with your loved ones. 

Cider and Sides

I learned the term “Sidesgiving” this year, and honestly I love it. The veggies that adorn my holiday table are among my favorite things to eat all year long. This is also a wonderful chance to bring out the most complex ciders you want for elegant pairings. For all of these, I want cider with enough acid to shine against the sauces, caramelization, and richness, but I need tannins, too. Pop open your wine-inspired ciders made with heirloom and cider-specific apples here! 

Brussels Sprouts with Walnuts and Balsamic Vinegar Glaze

One of my favorite parts of adulthood has to be improving my relationship with Brussels sprouts. This recipe is a simple way to up the textural wow-factor and avoid the unpleasant bitterness of overcooking.

Roasted Potatoes with Mushroom Cider Gravy

A special meal needs potatoes if you ask me. I’m pretty flexible about the form they take. I love potato pancakes and mashed potatoes, but there’s also something wonderfully simple about just roasting new potatoes with salt, pepper, garlic and rosemary. It makes them a wonderful canvas for a vegetarian mushroom gravy. I couldn’t find a recipe that’s exactly what we do at my house, but if you add a semi-dry cider to this one, it’s very close.

Cranberry Relish

This is a family tradition that I remember from my childhood, although this recipe doesn’t have all the substitutions we’ve created over the years. Skip the sugar and celery, sub in candied almond slivers, and if it does need additional sweetness, use a bit of maple syrup.

Spicy Caramelized Squash

I love baked squash in any number of iterations, but the addition of citrus and spice makes it feel special! My personal recommendation is making this with delicata squash, though the recipe can accommodate a wide range of base veggies. 

As examples, I recommend pairing any combination of these vegetable sides with Redbyrd Orchard Cider 2020 Biodynamic Sunset, Sea Cider Bramble Bubbly or West County Cider Cidre De Garde. They all have the features that are necessary here: strong acid, plentiful bubbles, tannins, complexity and mature confident fermentations. 

The Main Dish and Cider

I want rich flavorful fish as a main dish option for every important meal. When I’m hosting something special in my own house, there will be fish!

Maple Baked Salmon

I chose this recipe for two reasons. First, it’s simple to make. On a day when we might be cooking up to seven or eight distinct dishes, every easy choice helps. Second, I love the seasonal boost of maple syrup. I’m not about to get into a turf war about New York versus Vermont versus Pennsylvania or Michigan. There’s a lot of excellent maple syrup out there and it belongs on this salmon at the center of the holiday table.

My recommendation is to pair this salmon with Champlain Orchards Ashmead’s Kernel or Art + Science Wickson Cider. Salmon is a decadent fish, and that calls for a strongly flavored and highly acidic cider for counterpoint. Both of these choices highlight really special apples and make zingy sparkling flavor as the perfect way to lift up the layers of flavor in this entree.

Sourdough No-Knead Rolls

My tall companion doesn’t believe in serving bread at feast meals. He finds it to be a waste of space for the stomach and the table. As someone whose favorite part of holiday dinners throughout most of childhood was the rolls, I disrespectfully disagree. Bread is life. 

These sourdough rolls are delicious and aren’t that difficult to make if you’re already in the habit of working with a sourdough starter regularly. I was truly intimidated for months, but now I’m a big fan. Just don’t try the recipe for the first time in a high-pressure situation. Practice now, so you can feel great on the big feast day.

Pair this with All Times Sparkling Cider in honor of every kid whose favorite holiday food is a roll. Plus, it’s necessary to have something delicious and special to offer to everyone who’s not imbibing alcohol!

Dessert

For some celebrants, this is the first moment when the meal gets serious. Everything up to dessert is simply preamble. I’m not there, but I respect that position. Of course, dessert is important. This is the part of the meal when we’ve slowed down and relaxed. It’s often a golden peaceful moment after a hectic day of preparation. There are only two rules for dessert choices: there must be a chocolate option; and there must be something with apples.  

Apple-Pecan Bourbon-Caramel Pie

It’s impossible to resist this pie. It has everything: salty, sweet, crunchy, chewy, fruity, boozy … perfect. Since this isn’t the easiest recipe on the list, I recommend making this one ahead of time.

Grasshopper Brownies

There’s just something about mint and chocolate that signifies a fully satisfying end to a meal. Perhaps it’s the association with little candies, like Andes Mints or After Eight Thin Mints or even the classic Thin Mint Girl Scout cookie. To me, this is a lovely send-off after a leisurely feast. 

For either of these ridiculously indulgent desserts, I recommend pairing with something equally rich and full-bodied. Now isn’t the time for a light ethereal suggestion of flavor. We need a cider that has heft enough to speak alongside other big bold flavors. I recommend Alma Wood Aged, particularly for the pie. The cider spent six months in bourbon barrels, upping the body and flavor-intensity. For the grasshopper brownies, choose a well-balanced fortified cider, like Finger Lakes Cider House Royal Cider ‘18. Flavor notes of golden raisins, vanilla, and barrel will beautifully pair with the deep chocolate of grasshopper brownies.

Whatever you choose to do with your holiday season, I hope you enjoy it and make time to do the things that make you feel restored and ready for a new year! 

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Recipe: Flathead Cider Float Cocktail https://www.ciderculture.com/flathead-cider-float-cocktail/ https://www.ciderculture.com/flathead-cider-float-cocktail/#respond Mon, 18 Dec 2023 20:19:35 +0000 https://www.ciderculture.com/?p=130233 cider floatA cider float is one of the most fun, decadent ways to end a meal: just the right amounts of messy, boozy and sweet. Plus, there’s no baking required! We find that cider float work best with juicy, fruited ciders, vanilla ice cream and some sort of spirit drizzled on top for an extra touch…

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A cider float is one of the most fun, decadent ways to end a meal: just the right amounts of messy, boozy and sweet. Plus, there’s no baking required! We find that cider float work best with juicy, fruited ciders, vanilla ice cream and some sort of spirit drizzled on top for an extra touch of pizzazz.

In support of our sponsor, the Northwest Cider Club, we developed this cider float recipe using Western Cider‘s Fat Robin cider. A brilliant red cider, Fat Robin is infused with Flathead cherries, a famous varietal of cherry that grow around Flathead Lake in northwest Montana. According to Western Cider, “the cool summer nights, long summer days, and glacial soils, combined with the magical ‘lake effect’ make for cherry varieties with an incomparable sweetness and tang.” The cidermakers at Western Cider combined cherries from Fat Robin Orchard and the Flathead Lake Cherry Growers Association on Finley Point with Northwest apples to create this tasty, sessionable cider.

Once you’ve secured your Discover box, make this float for a nice holiday treat (you can also use a different brand of cherry cider — just choose one on the dry side!):

Flathead Cider Float

Ready in: 5 minutes

Makes: 2 cider floats

Ingredients

  • 1 can Western Cider Fat Robin cider
  • 4 scoops dairy or vegan vanilla ice cream, softened
  • 1 ounce amaro (we used Forthave Marseille Amaro), divided

Method

  1. Pour about 6 ounces of the Fat Robin cider into 2 tall glasses.
  2. Gently drop in the scoops of ice cream, 2 in each glass.
  3. Drizzle 0.5 ounce of the amaro over the top of each. Serve with a straw and a spoon.
  • Photo and recipe: Emily Kovach for Cider Culture

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The Cider Culture Plant-Based Thanksgiving Guide https://www.ciderculture.com/plant-based-thanksgiving-recipes/ https://www.ciderculture.com/plant-based-thanksgiving-recipes/#respond Fri, 03 Nov 2023 13:28:15 +0000 https://www.ciderculture.com/?p=131541 plant-based Thanksgiving recipesDownload the Cider Culture Plant-Based Thanksgiving Guide! Download Now (PDF) Though we believe cider belongs at every celebration, it cannot be denied that Thanksgiving is one of its best times to shine. The patchwork of flavors at this annual fall feast are the perfect backdrop for cider’s bright, refreshing character, and its lower-alcohol content (versus…

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Download the Cider Culture Plant-Based Thanksgiving Guide!
Download Now (PDF)

Though we believe cider belongs at every celebration, it cannot be denied that Thanksgiving is one of its best times to shine. The patchwork of flavors at this annual fall feast are the perfect backdrop for cider’s bright, refreshing character, and its lower-alcohol content (versus wine) means you can clink glasses and sip to your heart’s content! The Thanksgiving meal also presents ample opportunities to cook with cider, adding complexity and depth to your dishes.

We’re excited to share four new plant-based Thanksgiving recipes with you in our 2023 Cider Culture Thanksgiving Guide; each one includes cider as an ingredient and is 100% vegan so that everyone around your table can joyfully partake. We hope you enjoy them surrounded by friends and family, and make some lasting memories this year!

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Cider Loves Food: Tacos and Mexican-Food Pairings https://www.ciderculture.com/cider-and-food-pairings-tacos-mexican-food/ https://www.ciderculture.com/cider-and-food-pairings-tacos-mexican-food/#comments Wed, 04 Oct 2023 16:05:12 +0000 https://www.ciderculture.com/?p=119780 Cider and Food PairingsIn our monthly column, “Cider Loves Food,” contributor Meredith Collins (blogger extraordinaire at Along Came a Cider) is looking at different cuisines and finding the perfect ciders to help take your meals to the next level. There’s never a bad time for tacos! In honor of National Taco Day (which, of course, makes me crave…

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In our monthly column, “Cider Loves Food,” contributor Meredith Collins (blogger extraordinaire at Along Came a Cider) is looking at different cuisines and finding the perfect ciders to help take your meals to the next level.

There’s never a bad time for tacos! In honor of National Taco Day (which, of course, makes me crave tacos even more than usual) I want to share some cider and Mexican-food pairings.

Cider and Food Pairings

But, first, a disclaimer: I’m not from Latin America and a non-expert about Mexican food, but I love it. What I do bring to the table for this pairing discussion is knowledge of pairing principles and a familiarity with a wide range of ciders. If I’m getting something wrong, teach me (kindly, please) in the comments. I want to learn!

I’ve created pairings for a variety of Mexican dishes, describing the type of cider that would go well with a number of foods and giving a few examples that I definitely recommend. Tacos aren’t the only way to invite cider to the table!

Appetizers

Cider and Food Pairings

Even most picky eaters will try a cheese quesadilla, but if you think you’ve grown up too much for this classic appetizer, think again! I like to make a variation that has more heft and flavor, with the addition of roasted cauliflower and tomatillo salsa. Roasted cauliflower has to be one of the world’s best team players, vegetable-wise. They really take a basic cheese quesadillas to another level. Once you add tomatillo salsa, you have all the excitement you need. That’s why I like to pair these with a still tannic cider.

Eve’s Cidery makes a beautiful one, the Albee Hill Cider Still & Dry. In this pairing, I like how the structural tannins contrast with super-gooey cheese and crispy, roasted cauliflower. The cider has just enough wild and rustic characteristics to keep this course riveting.

Tacos

Cider and Food Pairings

Thanks to “Taco Tuesdays,” lots of people less familiar with Latin cuisines think about tacos first when they think of Mexican food. Indeed, tacos do go superbly well with cider. I had fried-avocado tacos for the first time about two years ago. They were topped with cotija cheese, finely sliced cabbage and a sprinkling of hot sauce. A little spice and crunch followed by some light fruity bubbles; it makes all the sense in the world.

With my fried-avocado tacos I like a very sparkly semi-dry cider. One that works absolutely perfectly is Snowdrift Cider Cidermaker’s Reserve 2014. This champagne-style cider has bubbles to spare and just enough sweetness to contrast both the spicy and creamy elements of the delightful tacos.

Sides

Beans are a workhorse in the kitchen, but my favorite beans of all time are cider-infused black beans. The credit isn’t due to me — I’m playing off of food journalist and author Mark Bittman’s beer-braised black beans. I heat the beans slowly on the stove with garlic and add chili powder, honey and cider. Because there are lots of other strong flavors, it’s important to choose a bold cider that can stand up to them.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiGFkJvHOUV/?taken-by=oldhillcider

I prefer something barrel-aged, and recently I tried Old Hill Cider Cidermaker’s Barrel, which I think fits the bill perfectly. The cider is rustic and dry with lots and lots of flavor, just perfect for this stellar side dish!

Main Event

One food that’s easier to make than it seems, and more impressive on the table than many, is a dish of enchiladas. Something about the rolled tortillas and endlessly variable fillings drenched in savory sauce is inherently satisfying. To make them as a rock-solid main dish, try enchiladas with hatch chiles and shredded chicken. For the perfect cider pairing, I like something with good fruity aromas (and just a bit of sweet to the smell) and plentiful acid.

https://www.instagram.com/p/1v5o0uurwb/?taken-by=devoto_orchards

One such pairing is Devoto Orchards Save the Gravenstein cider. It brings extremely fruity and pleasant acidity to the table and just enough sweetness to not be totally dry. The cider is light and lively, which you want with a saucy and full-bodied entree like enchiladas. Hatch chilis aren’t too hot, but do have some earthy and almost buttery notes. The match is unstoppably good!

Dessert

Cider and Food Pairings

No meal is complete without dessert! I don’t feel quite ready for the rest of the world until after I’ve had at least a little bite of something sweet. After a Mexican meal, I love a piece of tres leches cake. Somehow this particular dessert offers up cloud-like airiness with its fluffy whipped cream and dense rich sweetness from the three milks of its name. Try a berry cider with your tres leches cake. I know that Cider Riot! Never Give an Inch Oregon Blackberry Cider, with its radical tartness and zesty berry flavors, tastes awesome with this luscious cake.

Whatever Mexican and Latin dishes you try, I do hope you’ll pair them with a cider or two. The pairing possibilities are myriad and delicious. Whether you like flaming-hot and spicy or something more smoky and sweet, cider loves Mexican food! Share your ideas in the comments!

  • Avocado photo: Pexels
  • All other photos: Bigstock

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Recipe: Campfire Cider Berry Crisp https://www.ciderculture.com/cider-berry-crisp/ https://www.ciderculture.com/cider-berry-crisp/#respond Wed, 23 Aug 2023 17:10:13 +0000 https://www.ciderculture.com/?p=131377 Planning a camping trip? Be sure to bring along plenty of cider, and don’t forget about dessert! S’mores are great and all, but the novelty usually wears off after a night or two. When you’re ready for a seasonal, less-sugary dessert, try this campfire cider berry crisp. It’s packed with the jammy, drippy sweetness of…

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Planning a camping trip? Be sure to bring along plenty of cider, and don’t forget about dessert! S’mores are great and all, but the novelty usually wears off after a night or two. When you’re ready for a seasonal, less-sugary dessert, try this campfire cider berry crisp. It’s packed with the jammy, drippy sweetness of ripe forest fruits, and it makes an absolutely killer breakfast the next morning, too.

Campfire Cider Berry Crisp

Ready in: 60 minutes

Serves 6

Ingredients

  • 4 oz. cider (any kind)
  • 32 oz. (about 6 cups) fresh berries (your choice: blueberries, raspberries, blackberries or a combo)
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon corn starch
  • 1 cup all-purpose or gluten-free flour
  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut or torn into pieces
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Equipment

  • Large cast iron skillet
  • Camping grill (that sits over a fire)
  • Aluminum foil
  • Oven mitts or fire safety gloves

Method

  1. Place the berries in the bottom of the cast iron skillet, and sprinkle evenly with cinnamon, cornstarch and sugar. Toss to combine, then pour over the cider.
  2. In a bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar and salt, and stir until combined.
  3. Use your hands to mix in the pieces of butter until the topping has the texture of coarse crumbs.
  4. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the berry mixture and cover the pan tightly with tin foil.
  5. Cook over an active fire for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the berry mixture is bubbling and the topping is golden-brown.
  6. Carefully remove off the grill and serve.

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Ciders for Camping: Tips, Suggestions and Recos https://www.ciderculture.com/ciders-for-camping/ https://www.ciderculture.com/ciders-for-camping/#respond Wed, 23 Aug 2023 15:33:48 +0000 https://www.ciderculture.com/?p=131345 ciders for campingIf you want to capture the juicy center of summer, the essence of fall or the buzzy (sometimes soggy) emergence of spring, go camping. Immersion in nature is one of the best ways to stay present, connect with friends or family and unplug from the noise of the world at large. Whether you’re a hardcore…

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If you want to capture the juicy center of summer, the essence of fall or the buzzy (sometimes soggy) emergence of spring, go camping. Immersion in nature is one of the best ways to stay present, connect with friends or family and unplug from the noise of the world at large. Whether you’re a hardcore camping minimalist, or prefer a cushy glamping situation, nearly every state has plentiful parks and campgrounds to explore.

Just as important as packing bug spray and an extra bathing suit is figuring out what you’re going to cook and eat while camping. Cooking over a fire or a tiny camping stove presents its challenges, but can also be blissful in its simplicity. When it comes to beverages, our vote is obviously cider! There are so many ciders for camping — truly, one for every mood — from fizzy crushers for afternoon idling, to rustic, bold ciders for midnight stargazing.

Here’s our little cheat sheet for all your camping cider needs, so you can get back to locating your favorite flannel and hiking socks:

ciders for camping

First things first, you’re going to need a cooler. Depending on your camping context, this might be the perfect occasion to break out your vintage Coleman or fancy new Yeti. We suggest bringing two coolers: a structured one for food, where items can be easily stacked, packed and otherwise Tetris’d for maximum efficiency, and a soft cooler with cold packs for drinks. This additional cooler not only helps prevent the food cooler from being opened too many times (letting out that nice chilly air), but gives you a tote-along option if you want to bring a few cans of cider along on hiking, canoeing or swimming adventures.

Also, be sure to throw in a couple of can koozies, as well as a few plastic or metal cups, and a wine key if you’re toting any 750-ml bottles along. Don’t get stranded in the middle of the woods without a way to pull a cork!

Now, on to the ciders:

Bagnums: This up-and-coming cider format is one of the most efficient ways to bring a decent quantity of cider on a camping trip. These handy bags (literally — they have handles) hold 1.5 liters of still cider, which should be plenty to pair with a few campsite dinners. You can even use them to make a Cider Bicicletta if you get the cocktail urge!

Lunchtime Ciders: Providing you’re not doing any bouldering or other extreme-ish sports, camping is a nice time for a little day drinking. For lunchtime ciders, we love floral, co-fermented ciders to echo the woodsy environment that’s your temporary home.

ciders for camping

Thirst-Quenching Ciders: For post-hikes and lake swims, hot dogs and an easy-drinking cider are what should be on the menu! Bring a few extra cans, because you know you’ll want them!

  • Hudson North Standard Cider: This outdoorsy cider brand created a crisp and full-bodied cider with way less sugar than many bigger cider brands.
  • Citizen Cider Coddiwompler: A hazy, tart, fruity cider with passion fruit and cascade hops, this one for the beer lovers in your crew.
  • Fenceline Cider Seedling: This crusher is slowly fermented for a refreshing and off-dry flavor with balanced apple notes.
  • North Country Non-Alcoholic Cider Seltzer; If alcohol isn’t your jam (or you just like some zero-proof alternatives from time to time), pack along a some n/a cider seltzers (a blend of fresh-pressed cider and bubbly water) for maximum refreshment.

ciders for camping

Smoke-Edged, Tannic Ciders: We’d like to challenge the notion that only guzzle-worthy ciders are for camping. For certain moments, like chilling having deep conversations with your besties by the bonfire, try a cider that’s complex and mysterious.

  • Alpenfire’s 2021 Dabinett/ Yarlington Mill Estate Cider: This dual varietal combines the aggressive, beautiful bitterness and tannic power of Dabinett with the floral nature of Yarlington Mill for a cider that is expertly balanced. A perfect pairing with s’mores, just saying.
  • Finnriver Fire Barrel Cider: Echo the curls of smoke coming off the fire with this potent barrel-aged cider, a blend of organically grown cider apples slow-fermented, serving whiskey vibes with notes of leather, dark fruits and spicy heat.
  • Virtue Cider Belleau Wood 2022: This is Virtue’s first cider aged in new wooden foeders, which lends powerfully cozy notes of oak, vanilla and cinnamon.

If You’re Backpacking, Hiking or Canoeing In (props): Without a car, you probably won’t want to lug the extra weight of cans or bottles, plus keeping things chilled is trickier. This might be a good time to dig out that flask from the back of the junk drawer and fill it with pommeau for fireside sips. Or, if you don’t mind toting a bit more stuff, making cider cocktails is easy enough: Fill an insulated water bottle with ice and the pre-mixed, non-cider ingredients, then bring one or two cans of cider to finish the cocktail once you’re settled in the for the night. We suggest a cider margarita!

What are your fav ciders for camping? We wanna know!

  • Can photo: Hudson North Cider
  • Other photos: Pexels

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5 Fruity Cider Spritzes for Maximum Refreshment https://www.ciderculture.com/fruity-cider-spritz-recipes/ https://www.ciderculture.com/fruity-cider-spritz-recipes/#respond Thu, 29 Jun 2023 18:16:46 +0000 https://www.ciderculture.com/?p=131156 cider spritzWe’re not going to turn down a bright, refreshing spritz in the winter, but these flirty, low-ABV cocktails are really meant for wearm-weather sipping. We’re talking sun-drenched brunches, rowdy pool parties, and rambling chats with your BFF on a porch swing. We’re talking book-and-a-hammock afternoons, lakeside picnics, and impromptu post-work happy hours. We’re talking summertime,…

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We’re not going to turn down a bright, refreshing spritz in the winter, but these flirty, low-ABV cocktails are really meant for wearm-weather sipping. We’re talking sun-drenched brunches, rowdy pool parties, and rambling chats with your BFF on a porch swing. We’re talking book-and-a-hammock afternoons, lakeside picnics, and impromptu post-work happy hours. We’re talking summertime, y’all!

The cider spritz method is literally as easy as 1-2-3:

  1. Fill up a wine glass or tumbler with ice, and fill about 2/3 of the way with cider.
  2. Add about an ounce each of the other ingredients listed, and a healthy splash of seltzer or soda.
  3. Stir with a cocktail spoon or a straw, add on a cute garnish, and there you go!

There are endless flavor combinations to play with, and a good place to start is with one of our five favorites, explained below. Each one uses a fruity cider (except for the Bicicletta, but we’ll get to that) to ramp up the flavor and maximize the refreshment. If you can’t find the brand we suggest, no worries! Have fun experimenting with fruited ciders from your local cidery, or whatever you can dig up at your favorite bottle shop or market.

Blueberry Sage Cider Spritz

cider spritz

The tart sweetness of blueberry and mellow herbaceous of sage are a match made in heaven!

First whip up a batch of sage simple syrup: Combine half a cup of sugar and half a cup of water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then take off the heat. Add in a few fresh sage leaves or 1/2 teaspoon of dried sage, and allow the syrup to steep and cool. Once it’s cooled down, strain it and use in the recipe.

To make: Fill a glass with ice and pour in Artifact By Any Other Name blueberry cider. Stir in about 1 ounce of sage simple and top with club soda. Stir, and garnish with a few fresh blueberries and a sage leaf.

Amaro Cider Spritz

cider spritz

There are so many kind of amaro out there — this bitter-sweet spritz works best with a light, fruity amaro, like Lo-Fi Aperitifs Gentian Amaro, Amaro Angeleno or Eda Rhyne Amaro Flora.

To make: Fill a glass with ice and pour about 2/3 full with Potter’s Craft Grapefruit Hibiscus Cider. Add about an ounce of amaro and top with grapefruit juice. Stir, and garnish with a slice of fresh grapefruit.

Strawberry Lemon Cider Spritz

cider spritz

If you crave a sip of sunshine, this pretty spritz is the one for you! Channeling major strawberry lemonade vibes, this juicy sipper has brunch written all over it!

To make: Fill a glass with ice and pour about 2/3 full with Under the Bridge Cider Strawberry Fields. Add 1 ounce fresh lemon juice and top with Italian lemon soda. Stir, and garnish with a sprig of mint, a lemon wheel and a few slices of fresh strawberry. For a stronger drink, add 1 ounce of plain, lemon or strawberry vodka or the gin of your choice.

Cherry Lime Cider Spritz

The round sweetness of summer cherries are wonderfully balanced with the puckery zip of lime juice. Together, they make a bright, thirst-quenching spritz to sip alongside BBQ fare or Mexican food.

To make: Fill a glass with ice and pour about 2/3 of the way full with Colorado Cider Co. Cherry Glider Cider. Add 0.5 ounce fresh lime juice or sweetened lime cordial (depending on how dry or sweet you like your beverages), and top with lime seltzer. Stir and garnish with a wedge or two of lime.

Cider Bicicletta

cider spritz

This is the only cider spritz on deck that doesn’t include a fruited cider. A standard Italian Bicicletta is a spritz made with still white wine, Campari and soda water. We’re swapping in a dry, still cider, like Dressler Estate Modern Still or Farnum Hill Extra Dry Still. The effect is similar to the classic Bicicletta, with a touch more earthy, funky fruitiness.

To make: Fill a glass with ice and pour about 2/3 full with a still cider. Add 1.5 ounces Campari or another aperitivo, like Forthave Red or St. Agrestis Inferno Bitter Aperitivo, and top with sparkling water. Stir, and add a slice of orange as a garnish.

Love cider cocktails? Check out how to make cider margaritas, cider champagne cocktails and a cider cosmo!

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