About Cider

Cider is made from fermented apple juice. As with wine, the character and quality of the resulting product will bear heavily on the variety and quality of the fruit used. The cooler climate of Vermont is well suited to high quality apple production, and produces a sizeable amount of quality sparkling hard cider. The finest ciders in North America may well emanate from the province of Quebec in Canada, which has an established artisinal cider industry with historical ties to Normandy cider. These Quebecois ciders are slowly starting to appear on the US market.

Top Picks for Cider

Two K Farms 2023 Hoppd Cider Apple
91 points
$17
Best Buy
IPA meets fruity cider in this frothy golden refresher teeming with notes of passion fruit, peach and pineapple sage.
91 points $17 Best Buy
Wicked Grove  Brunch Variety Pack: Pearsecco - Paloma - Mimosa - Bellini
88 points
$15.99
Pearsecco: Packed with old fashioned cider donut flavor and blue ribbon apple pie aromas, this cider has complexity and balance, finishing just dry enough to enjoy over and over. Paloma: Loads of cherry with a crisp, bright and mouthwatering finish. Mimosa: Juicy orange, pear and mandarin flavors that make for a delicious mimosa experience. Bellini: Jazzy and delightful, this fruit cider balances terrific fruit flavor with excellent acidity.
88 points $15.99
The Apple Barn Cider House NV Bluebarb Hard Cider American
88 points
$23
A chewy, savory and mouthwatering combination of spicy apple, earthy berry, and floral notes that will be nice on its own or with appetizers.
The Apple Barn Cider House NV Red Lemonhead Hard Cider Tennessee
88 points
$23
A richly flavorful and fun strawberry cider treat.
Wicked Grove  Pearsecco Bubbly Dry Cider
88 points
$8.99
Best Buy
A fresh, dry Cider that has aromas of ripe fruit an a drier lighter palate.
88 points $8.99 Best Buy
Wicked Grove  Blueberry Cider
87 points
$8.99
Best Buy
A refreshing, natural tasting blueberry cider that is sure to please.
87 points $8.99 Best Buy
Vista Bay  Rush Variety Pack: Lime - Cranberry - Blackberry - Blood Orange
87 points
$14.45
Best Buy
Lime: A nice dry margarita-like lime seltzer that is quenching. Cranberry: A nice sweet and sour berry seltzer that is refreshing and balanced with nice length. Blackberry: Soft fruit flavors and a light finish; perfect over ice on a hot day. Blood Orange: A sturdy, dry orangy seltzer for parties and punches.
87 points $14.45 Best Buy
The Apple Barn Cider House NV South Cider American
87 points
$23
Crunchy apples and a smooth finish make for an ideal cider for a cheese plate.
The Apple Barn Cider House NV Simply Muscadine Grape Cider Muscadine
87 points
$23
Would be a good accompaniment to candied nuts and dessert cheeses.
The Apple Barn Cider House NV Simply Red Grape Cider Muscadine
87 points
$23
Sweet cider with pleasant acidity that cleans up the mouthfeel; great beverage to have instead of dessert.