Although summer is supposed to officially last until the end of September, it seems fall has arrived early this year.
Even Starbucks agrees, as the pumpkin spice latte made its return a little earlier than usual, starting on Sept. 2 this year. But maybe temperatures dropping earlier is a good thing.
With the return of pumpkin-flavoured everything also comes the return of your sweater collection and favourite beanie hat. Plus some of the best produce fall has to offer, including apples. Fall is the prime time for both hot and cold apple cider, and there are tons of flavours and styles out there to suit every palette.
Cider is one of the easiest alcoholic drinks to make, and has been around for thousands of years. The natural yeast present in the fruit makes it easy for the sugars to ferment into alcohol. Cider can be made with many different fruits, but fall provides the opportunity for great apple cider.
Chilled, fermented (read, alcoholic) cider can be purchased at any LCBO in Ontario. Most of the time, this kind of cider is served over ice, and very refreshing. There are several different brands and styles of cider available, including, but not limited to:
Waupoos Premium Cider: Made in Prince Edward County, Ont. Made with late harvest Ontario apples and European cider apples. Lightly coloured, faintly acidic and dry. 6.5% alcohol, sold in bottles in a 4-pack for $13.35 at the LCBO.
Strongbow Cider: Made by Scottish and Newcastle Breweries, Ltd. in the United Kingdom. Dry, crisp, and amber coloured, this cider is less alcoholic at 5.3% and found in pubs across Ontario, as well as in the LCBO for $3.00 per tall can.
Magners Original Irish Cider: from William Magner and Co., in Ireland, this cider is popular in Europe, and in Canada as an import. It’s a little more full bodied than other ciders, with apple and citrus flavours. At 4.5% alcohol content, it’s a little less strong than other ciders as well. It’s sold at the LCBO for $3.15 per tall can.
William Premium Canadian Cider: from Ciderie Solar in Quebec, this cider is gold and light in taste with a lot of citrus. It’s also less carbonated than other ciders, and has an alcohol content of 5.2%. Sold at the LCBO in tall cans for $2.75 each, making it one of the best deals for cider.
Somersby Apple Cider: Some might argue that cider came back in style because of Somersby. Many find it easy to drink because it’s so sweet, and has a lower alcohol content of 4.5%. I find it tastes a little like liquefied green apple Jolly Ranchers, but some people really like that. It’s made by Carlsberg Breweries in Denmark, and is sold at the LCBO for $2.80 on sale right now.
Foundry Golden Cider: A great cider for someone trying to expand their palettes. Made in the United Kingdom, it’s more full bodied and focuses more on the apples. It’s sweeter than some ciders, but not as cloying as Somersby. Foundry has an alcohol content of 4.5%, and is sold at the LCBO for $3.00 a can.
There are a lot of other varieties as well, depending where you shop. Across the border in Quebec, there are many artisanal varieties sold in grocery stores as well.
Hit up farmers markets and stalls for fresh, non-alcoholic cider to be enjoyed hot or cold. You also have the opportunity to turn it into to a great fall party drink by simmering farm fresh apple cider with cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, and about one shot of whiskey per glass. You can even put all the ingredients in a crockpot, set it on low, and have it warm throughout the whole party. It’s a perfect treat to warm you up while those fall winds rage outside.
