Jamie Goode applies fresh thinking to summertime drinking, celebrating fruity ciders
Our expert gets to the core of fruity ciders with a modern twist
Cider has changed a lot over the years. What used to be a relatively uncool drink has now become fashionable, and it’s an innovative category incorporating all sorts of other fruity flavours in the mix alongside apples. Here, I’ve chosen a selection ranging from the traditional to the ultra modern, and they are all delicious.
Aspall Suffolk Draught Cyder £2 or £5 for three, Tesco, 5.5% alcohol This Suffolk Cyder is tight and racy with nice acidity and a lovely bitter twist to the pure appley fruit. With a good grip on the finish, this would be perfect served with pork belly.
Waitrose Duchy Organic Vintage Cider £2.09, Waitrose, 5% alcohol Made from organically grown apples, this is matured in old oak vats. It has a gorgeous bittersweet edge to the tasty appley flavours and finishes with some refreshing bite and an attractive light dryness.
Woodgate Reserve West
Country Cider 2017 £1.15,
Lidl, 7.3% alcohol
Here’s a rich, bold, fresh cider with real weight to the crisp, appley palate. There’s sweetness, but it also has some structure and a lingering appley finish. It packs lots of flavour, but has balance, too.
Henney’s Dry Cider £2 or £5 for three, Tesco, 6% alcohol From Herefordshire, this golden-coloured cider is tasty, with sweet, ripe appley fruity flavours as well as a bit of grip on the finish. It’s mellow, rich and moreish.
Kentish Pip Katy Apple & Rhubarb Cider £2, Marks & Spencer, 4% alcohol
This is divine. The slightly tart, bitter flavours of rhubarb combine well with the fruitiness of the
Katy apples, giving an off-dry cider with lots of flavour and a beautifully bitter finish.
Kentish Pip Braeburn Apple & Cherry Cider £2, Marks & Spencer, 4% alcohol
Vivid red in colour, this has tangy cherry and raspberry fruit with a pleasant bite. It has a bit of sweetness, but the main theme here is a sour cherry fruitiness. It packs a real punch.
Hawkes Doom & Bloom Rose Cider £6 for four, Asda, 4% alcohol Rhubarb and strawberry join dessert apples to create a bright – slightly tart – excessively fruity cider that’s not overly sweet, and which is truly refreshing.