Best ciders to try

Its popularity has waxed and waned, however – the 20^th century saw the rise of mass-produced cider, often made from diluted concentrated apple juice and bulked out with water, sugar, preservatives and other additives (cider legally requires a minimum of just 35% apple juice). In contrast to the meteoric rise of craft beer, cider has struggled somewhat with an image problem – all too often seen as a cheap, low-quality, sickly sweet drink.

Happily this has changed in recent years, with a wave of exciting new producers that champion the sophistication of the category, creating seasonal, small-batch, naturally fermented ciders made with 100% apple juice that easily rival wine and beer when it comes to nuance and complexity – and often in the process doing sterling work when it comes to reviving lesser-known British apple varieties and conserving the country’s many ancient cider orchards.

Cider styles

Cider is now made across the UK but traditionally there is a rough geographical divide when it comes to style. Producers in the west of the country (Somerset, Devon, Herefordshire, Monmouthshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire) make ciders from bitter, tannic cider apples – either in a blend or as a single-varietal drink. There are hundreds of cider apple varieties, many of them evocatively named, from Kingston Black and Somerset Redstreak to Foxwhelp and Dabinett. Ciders made in the West Country style tend to be full-bodied and richly fruity, with complex tannins.

While the West Country has historically long been associated with cider, there’s an equally robust cider-making scene in eastern counties such as Kent, Sussex, Suffolk and East Anglia. Here, mainly sweeter eating and cooking apples are used (think varieties that you’d find in the supermarket such as Cox and Gala), resulting in crisp, sharp, acidic ciders. As well as this, cider has also traditionally been made across Europe, from Brittany in France to Galicia in northern Spain.

There are many ciders to explore across the country, but here are a few of our favourites…

Best British ciders

Secret Orchard Exmoor Mellow, £27/case of 12, secretorchardcider.com

This award-winning outfit makes small-batch, minimal-intervention ciders using apples sourced from orchards across Cornwall and Exmoor, and each batch is divided according to its geographic origins. Exmoor Mellow is a lovely example of a West Country cider, easy-going and full-flavoured, with mellow funk and subtle spice.

Bottles of Secret Orchard cider — Photograph by Faydit Photography

The Cotswold Cider Co No Brainer Classic, £24/4 litres, cotswoldciderco.com

Fans of still, cloudy, scrumpy-style cider will enjoy this highly gluggable, bone-dry number. At 6% ABV it’s dangerously easy-drinking for something you’d likely have by the pint – those looking for a little less punch can try the sparkling version, at a more sessionable 4.8%.

Bottles of Cotswold Cider Co No Brainer Sparkling

Wignac Cider Rose, £6.25/75cl, masterofmalt.com

A French cider made in the Ardennes from 100% apple juice, this gets its pretty blush hue from a touch of pure grape juice. It's juicy and tart, with bags of apple flavour.

Hogan’s Peaty Deep & Smoky Cider, £27/case of 12, hoganscider.co.uk

We loved this full-bodied cider and its rounded, seductively smoky, earthy character – an essential bonfire or campfire tipple.

A bottle and glass of Hogan's Peaty, Deep & Smoky Cider

Pulpt Flare, £29.95/case of 12, shop.pulpt.co.uk

A sparkling blend featuring Chisel Jersey apples, this has crisp apple aromas and a fresh sweetness balanced by well-judged acidity.

Ross on Wye Cider & Perry Co 2018 Raison d'Être Cider, £10/750ml, shop.rosscider.com

A blend of bittersweet Michelin and Dabinett apples, this is completely dry, bottled conditioned and fermented in ex-Scottish whisky barrels. The end result is a rather special cider – complex and interesting, with evocative peaty, smoky, earthy funk.

A bottle of Ross on Wye Cider & Perry Co 2018 Raison d'Être Cider

Meon Valley Cider Brown Trout, £3.50/500ml, redh.co.uk

A blend of cider and dessert apples, this is gently sweet and light oaking brings vanilla notes alongside caramel and tropical fruit.

A bottle of Meon Valley Cider Brown Trout

Little Pomona Table Cider, £9/750ml, littlepomona.com

Released in rolling seasonal batches, this is designed to be drunk with food and you can expect juicy fruitiness, a little funk and pleasing tannins – natural wine lovers will have a particular affinity with this. Listen to Little Pomona founder Susanna Forbes chat all things cider on the olive magazine podcast.

The Newt in Somerset The Winston Sparkling Cyder, £35/568ml, shop.thenewtinsomerset.com

Packaged in an imperial pint bottle in honour of Winston Churchill's fondness for the same-sized bottles of champagne, The Winston is a rather classy cider. Made using the traditional method (like champers) and matured for two years, it has delicate mousse, crisp green apple notes and refined dryness. Drink as you would a glass of fizz (it's got a similar ABV of 11.5%) – this would make a fine aperitif. Keep an eye out also for the Newt's excellent Fine Rosé Cyder. Released every summer, it's made with crimson Red Love apples that tinge the cider a pretty blush pink. With delicious strawberries and cream notes, it's the perfect warm weather tipple.

Henry Westons Vintage Rose Cider, £2.20/500ml, tesco.com

Blush-hued ciders have become increasingly common on the drinks scene and this example is a great choice for everyday drinking. Smooth, gently sweet and sparkling, it’s best enjoyed extra chilled, preferably in a sunny garden or park.

Galipette Brut Cidre, £2/330ml, waitrose.com

Made from hand-picked Breton cider apples, this is a nattily packaged, winningly juicy cider with lots of lively apple flavour, a crisp, clean character and gentle bubbles.

Sandford Orchards Katja Prosecco-Style Cider, £9/750ml, sandfordorchards.co.uk

A fresh and elegant fizzy single-variety cider made from Katja dessert apples, with summery green apple and strawberry notes.

A bottle of Sandford Orchards Katja Prosecco-Style Cider

Pilton Somerset Keeved Cider, £3.99/330ml, piltoncider.com

Made using a traditional method of naturally sweetening cider called keeving, this elegant, toffee-hued cider has lusciously mellow, stewed apple flavours. Would be delicious with a cheeseboard.

A bottle of Pilton Somerset Keeved Cider,

Westons Old Rosie Cloudy Cider, £5/2 litres, oca do.com

Crisp, dry and gently tangy, this crowd-pleasing cider is one for those who prefer traditional scrumpy-style varieties. Widely available, it’s a great option if you’re looking for a decent cider in a hurry.

Have you ever tried perry?

An alcoholic drink made from pears, perry is not as well-known as cider but enjoys an equally long history and rich heritage, made in a similar way but with typically a lighter, more floral character (although many perries can have surprisingly hefty ABVs). Here are some of our favourites…

Oliver’s Perry, £3.75/330ml, Forest Wines

Tom Oliver is a renowned and award-winning cider maker but his perries are equally worth seeking out. This perry is seriously juicy and drinkable, with vibrant pear and gooseberry notes.