How do you serve ice cider?

Ice cider is served well chilled, in a small tasting glass, and sipped slowly. Quebec's cider producers pair it with strong or blue cheese, foie gras, chocolate and fruit desserts, and also use it in an aperitif with tonic. Because Quebec's protected ice cider has at least 140 g/L of sugar and 9–13% ABV, small pours are usual.

Updated 2026-10-02

Key facts

Serve it cold, small and slowly. Les producteurs de cidre du Québec advise serving ice cider well chilled ("bien froid"), in a small tasting glass, taking time over a few sips so the aromas open up. [1]
Sweet and fairly strong. Cidre de glace du Québec must have at least 140 g/L of residual sugar and 9–13% ABV, both from the apples' own sugars. [2]
Many pairings. Quebec producers suggest strong, firm or blue cheeses, chocolate, pastries, fruit desserts and foie gras. [3]

How do you drink ice cider?

Chill the bottle well before serving. [1]
Use a small tasting glass, not a large wine glass; see what glass to use for cider. [1]
Pour a small amount. Its sugar and strength make it a sipping drink, like a dessert wine. [2]
Sip slowly to let aromas of apple, honey, caramel and candied fruit come through. [1]

What food goes with ice cider?

Cheese: strong, firm or blue cheeses, from a sweet-and-salty pairing. [3]
Foie gras and terrines. [3] [1]
Desserts: tarte Tatin, fruit cake, dark chocolate and nut tarts. [1]
As an aperitif: a sommelier quoted by the SAQ pairs it with oysters and with spiced Moroccan dishes. [4]

For pairings with other ciders, see what food goes with cider.

Can I use ice cider in cocktails?

Yes. Quebec's producers suggest ice cider with tonic and a few ice cubes before a meal. [1] Since it is sweet and 9–13% ABV, a little goes a long way in a mix; see what to mix with cider. [2]

Related answers: how ice cider is made · ice cider vs ice wine

Find it on Cider Radar

Cider makers in Quebec: 79 makers (as of 2026-10-02). Not all make ice cider; check each profile.
Guide: ice cider among cider styles · Glossary: ice cider
Open the map: app.ciderradar.com · iPhone · Android

Cider, perry, calvados and pommeau are alcoholic drinks. Enjoy responsibly and follow the legal drinking age where you live.

Questions

Is ice cider only for dessert?

No. A Quebec sommelier quoted by the SAQ says it shouldn't be limited to cheese or dessert, and suggests serving it as an aperitif, for example with oysters. [4]

What does ice cider taste like?

Sweet and rich, balanced by acidity. CARTV lists aromas of fruit, flowers, cooked and fresh apple, honey, brown sugar, exotic fruit, lychee, apricot and fig for Cidre de glace du Québec. [2]

How long does an open bottle of ice cider keep?

The sources we checked don't give a time. Close the bottle and keep it in the fridge, and follow any guidance on the producer's label.

Sources

7 occasions pour vous réchauffer avec le cidre de glace — Les producteurs de cidre du Québec
Cidre de glace du Québec (IGP) — CARTV (Conseil des appellations réservées et des termes valorisants, Québec)
Consomme le cidre à ta façon ! — Les producteurs de cidre du Québec
Le fabuleux cidre de glace du Québec — SAQ (Société des alcools du Québec)