"cider" news and stories

When early harvest apples are plucked, Madden heads to Wisconsin's Kickapoo Orchard and sources fresh-pressed cider. Back at the brewery, he creates a batch of his cream ale, made with lactose (milk sugar) and cream sugar, which adds a smidge of sweetness. Then he blends the two liquids together (40 percent cider, 60 percent ale), ferments them and releases the result as Fallen Apple.

Happy National Hot Mulled Cider Day!

This eternally popular quaff dates back beyond 55 B.C., when the Romans arrived in England to find villagers drinking an apple-based beverage. But stateside, cider was somewhat of an accidental success: English settlers of colonial times had trouble growing expensive grains necessary for traditional brews, so instead relied upon the abundance of apple trees to create cider, which soon became one of America's most popular drinks.

For a simple yet soul-warming recipe, we suggest that of Elana's Pantry (pictured above), flavored with cinnamon, cloves and orange -- it's the perfect seasonal antidote to the approach to winter.

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Sure, it may be cider season, but the yen for one glass can lead to a large leftover jug in the fridge.

Whether your Thanksgiving celebration errs on the Puritanical side, with extended family and tykes on the loose, or functions as more of a boozy bacchanal, this "Southern Comfort Barn Burner" cocktail should provide ample comfort to imbibers of all sorts.

If our Thanksgiving wine pairings didn't quite satisfy your thirst, Ezra Pound Cake's simple Southern Comfort and cider concoction will certainly fit the bill. In what she dubs "the official drink of Thanksgiving 2009," Ezra spikes some classic apple cider with some Southern Comfort, seasons it with cinnamon and brightens it with fresh lemon. She summarized the elegant drink best in her blog: "The combination works because the flavors in Southern Comfort -- especially the peach, orange and cinnamon -- dance with the apple in the cider, giving you a drink that's sweet and fruity, with an undercurrent of trouble. Just like Thanksgiving." We'll drink to that!

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Mmm, seasonal punch, fall cider, apple-related-alcohol, whatever you want to call it, it's good. Warm or cold, alcoholic or non, even spicy or streudelly, there are a number of ways to enjoy a good autumnal apple drink. Here are links to eight delicious recipes!

1. A solid booze-free basic
2. Classic brandy with cider
3. Heat up some apple juice and put rum and a cinnamon stick in it. No link required!
4. A whiskey version
5. Cider with tequila!
6. An ultimate indulgence with hibiscus and cayenne
7. Decadent cider streudel (streudelly)
8. Chilled and sparkling!

Click here for more things you can do with apple cider.