What glass should you use for cider?
There is no single correct cider glass. In Normandy and Brittany, cider is drunk from a stemmed wine glass or a bolée (a cider cup). Asturian natural cider is poured into a thin glass, sparkling cider into a tulip glass, and ice cider into a small tasting glass. Pick a glass that shows bubbles and aroma.
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Key facts
| Drink | Glass | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Normandy and Brittany cider | Stemmed wine glass or bolée; both accepted | Normandie Cabourg Pays d'Auge tourist office [1] |
| Asturian natural cider (sidra natural) | Thin cider glass, at least 100 ml per pour (culete) | Sidra de Asturias PDO [2] |
| Asturian natural sparkling cider | Tulip glass | Sidra de Asturias PDO [3] |
| Quebec ice cider | Small tasting glass | Les producteurs de cidre du Québec [4] |
| Calvados | Tulip-shaped glass | Calvados interprofession [5] |
Which glass should I use at home?
- Sparkling cider: a tulip glass, as the Asturian PDO uses for its natural sparkling cider. [3]
- French farm cider: a stemmed glass or a bolée, whichever you like; the Pays d'Auge tourist office says there is no good or bad way. [1]
- Asturian sidra: a thin glass and a small pour, poured from a height; see how to pour Spanish cider. [2]
- Ice cider and other strong, sweet ciders: a small glass, because the serving is small. [4]
Does the glass change how cider tastes?
The glass mostly changes what you notice. The calvados interprofession says a tulip-shaped glass "concentrates and reveals" the character of calvados. [5] With Asturian cider the pour matters more than the glass: it is poured from a height, one "culete" of at least 100 ml at a time, drunk straight away, "to awaken the carbon and achieve the freshness of its flavor". [2] BJCP's judging guidelines note that carbonation "livens the presentation" of cider, so a glass that keeps the bubbles helps sparkling styles. [6] For the right temperature, see should cider be served cold.
What about pommeau and other apple drinks?
Pommeau is usually served chilled in a small glass, as an aperitif; see how to drink pommeau. For the escanciado pour, the glass is part of the ritual.
Related answers: how to pour Spanish cider · should cider be served cold
Find it on Cider Radar
- Scan a label in Cider Radar to open the bottle card with tasting notes and community ratings, including where people drink it.
- Guide: types of cider · Glossary: sparkling
- 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
What is a bolée?
The traditional cider cup of north-west France. The Pays d'Auge tourist office associates the bolée with Brittany and the stemmed glass with Normandy, and says neither way is wrong. [1]
Can I drink cider from a wine glass?
What glass is used for calvados?
The calvados interprofession recommends a tulip-shaped glass for sipping calvados after a meal. [5] See what is calvados.
Sources
- Comment déguster un cidre ? — Normandie Cabourg Pays d'Auge Tourisme (tourist office)
- El escanciado — Consejo Regulador DOP Sidra de Asturias
- Natural Sparkling Cider — Consejo Regulador DOP Sidra de Asturias
- 7 occasions pour vous réchauffer avec le cidre de glace — Les producteurs de cidre du Québec
- How and when to drink Calvados — Calvados Nouvelle Vogue (IDAC)
- 2025 BJCP Cider Style Guidelines (Introduction) — Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP)