The days are getting shorter, the leaves are getting crunchier and next thing you know, you’re bundled up in a sweatshirt, shorts long forgotten. The transition between summer and fall has already brought a wardrobe change, so why not also make an adjustment to your seasonal drink? It’s time to put away those cooling summer cocktails and bring out the warm and fuzzy fall-themed Pacific Northwest ciders.
Sea Cider Farm & Cidery | Wassail | Saanichton, British Columbia
Warm up that inevitable seasonal cold front by sipping on Sea Cider Farm & Cidery’s Wassail. Considered a warming cider — as a result of its high alcohol content — the drink has hints of clove and candied orange peel that hit the palate. Wassailing refers to a southern England ancient practice in which individuals drank their cider and sang to their apple orchard to assure a bountiful harvest. With this cider in hand, maybe you’ll do some wassailing of your own.
Portland Cider Company | Pumpkin Spice | Portland, Ore.
You can find pumpkin spice in just about anything as soon as the first fall leaf drops, but have you considered adding it to your cider? Portland Cider is already one step ahead with their Pumpkin Spice flavor. With hand-steeped whole spices like allspice, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and nutmeg, this drink goes to show that pumpkin spice isn’t restricted to pastries or your morning cuppa joe.
Tieton Cider Works | Cranberry Cider | Yakima, Wash.
Hot take: Cranberries taste best when they come from a can — and Tieton’s Cranberry is proof in itself. This cider features a cinnamony finish and fresh pressed cranberry juice, allowing for a sweet-to-tart ratio that’s just right. After taking a sip of this cider, you’ll know the true winner of the never-ending fresh-versus-canned cranberry debate.
Winsome Ciderworks | Apple Crisp | Woodinville, Wash.
A warm apple crisp fresh out of the oven is a real treat, but the labor involved is sometimes too much to ask for. Instead, get the taste of apples, cinnamon and nutmeg by popping open a can of Winsome Ciderworks cider. You’ll still get that warm and cozy feeling without turning on the oven. And if that doesn’t convince you, ask yourself, “Do I really want to wait for my apple crisp to cool down?”
12 Bridge Ciderworks | Autumn Spiced Peach | Oregon City, Ore.
A little sweetness and spice makes everything nice — and 12 Bridge Ciderworks provides the evidence in their Autumn Spiced Peach flavor. This seasonal semi-sweet cider highlights fresh peaches, cinnamon and mulling spices. Drink it warm or cold, you’ll find this cider is more than peachy keen.
Alpenfire Cider | Ember | Port Townsend, Wash.
If you’re looking for a solid, go-to fall cider, Alpenfire’s Ember may be able to hook you up. This amber-colored cider is made with late season bittersweet apples which allows for a tannic, full-bodied experience. A soft caramel flavor adds a special autumnal sweetness, while the light carbonation tickles your tongue. This cider is also USDA certified organic.
Runcible Cider | Dark Winter Cherry | Mosier, Ore.
Cherries may be more closely associated with another season, but when they are dried, deep and dark, and added to a cider infused with bourbon-soaked French oak chips, are they truly a summer fruit anymore? Runcible Cider’s Dark Winter Cherry is built for the fall and winter months – and certain to take the chill off a nippy evening.
