What can you mix with cider?
You can mix cider with sparkling wine, fruit juice, tonic, spices or beer, or use it in cocktails such as a cider mimosa, spritz or sangria. Quebec's cider producers list cocktail ideas for still, sparkling and ice cider. A mix of cider and juice is weaker than the cider itself; a mix with spirits is stronger.
Updated
Key facts
- Cocktail ideas from cider makers. Les producteurs de cidre du Québec list a "Mimosa du terroir", a spritz, a Black Velvet and a Quebec sangria, and say sparkling, still or ice cider can all be used in cocktails. [1]
- Ice cider and tonic. The same producers suggest ice cider with tonic and ice as an aperitif. [2]
- Mixing changes the legal category. In the UK, adding flavourings that HMRC has not approved, or other alcoholic drinks, means a ready-made product is no longer taxed as cider. [3]
What mixes well with cider?
| Mixer | Why it works | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Sparkling wine | Adds bubbles and dryness | Cider spritz or a cider version of a mimosa [1] |
| Fruit juice | Lowers strength, adds fruit | Apple or other fruit juice with sparkling cider |
| Tonic | Bitterness balances sweet cider | Ice cider and tonic [2] |
| Spices | Warmth | Mulled cider; see where to buy mulled cider |
| Stout or beer | Body and roast | Black Velvet-style mixes [1] |
| Apple brandy | Strength and depth | Pommeau is a ready-made blend of apple juice and calvados |
How does mixing change the strength?
Mixing with juice, tonic or soda lowers the ABV; mixing with spirits or fortified drinks raises it. To work out units for a mixed drink, add up the alcohol in each part: the NHS formula is ABV × millilitres ÷ 1,000; see how many units are in cider. [4]
Which cider should I use for mixing?
- Sparkling, dry cider for spritz-style drinks, so the mix doesn't become too sweet; see Glossary: sparkling.
- Still cider for punches and mulled drinks, where bubbles would be lost anyway.
- Ice cider in small amounts: it is sweet (at least 140 g/L of sugar in Quebec's protected version) and strong, at 9–13% ABV. [5] See how to serve ice cider.
Related answers: how to serve ice cider · where to buy mulled cider
Find it on Cider Radar
- In Cider Radar, rate a cider on sweetness, body, tannin, turbidity and funk to remember which ones you like for mixing.
- Guide: types of cider · Glossary: pommeau
- 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 pommeau?
A ready-made mix of apple juice (or must) and calvados, aged in oak; see what pommeau is.
Is a cider and beer mix still cider?
Not for UK duty. HMRC treats a beer mixed with other alcoholic drinks (not spirits) as beer if it is 5.5% ABV or less. [3]
What mixes with ice cider?
Quebec's cider producers suggest ice cider with tonic and a few ice cubes as an aperitif. [2]
Sources
- Consomme le cidre à ta façon ! — Les producteurs de cidre du Québec
- 7 occasions pour vous réchauffer avec le cidre de glace — Les producteurs de cidre du Québec
- Alcoholic products technical guide: section 2, alcoholic products — HM Revenue & Customs (GOV.UK)
- Calculating alcohol units — NHS
- Cidre de glace du Québec (IGP) — CARTV (Conseil des appellations réservées et des termes valorisants, Québec)