8 years or more ago, i had never even thought about Cider as a drink for me. Much like Beer and Lager and Whiskey etc. None of these appealed to my tastes. In 2015 i started using cashback apps like Checkoutsmart, which gave you free stuff and money off certain items. One of them was Stella Cidre at Asda. They were on offer for 3 for £5 at the time, and i got some as they were cheaper. I instantly liked the Fruit flavoured ones, Pear, Raspberry, Peach and Elderflower. I had made the most of the offer and had quite a stash of them. After they had finished i looked around to see if they had any other flavours.

Never thought i would be the one in the bar with a cider, although the selection is usually limited and well overpriced so rarely

Their are so many brands and types of Cider, and not all equal. I liked the fruity sweet ones, however some are very dry and unsweet at all! over the years i have definitely found this out. I have tried a lot of different ones over the years. Many are no longer made as were limited editions. So this is a look back and a current look at what was and what is! Their are more also than i have pictured but no longer have the photos. I have individual reviews on most of these on my Instagram going back.

Many have been made by the more well know brands like Brothers cider, Koppaberg, Stella cidre, Bulmers, Cranes, Strongbow and some other smaller brands and independent producers including Supermarket own ones. Old Mout Cider also. I like to try the ones from smaller makers as they can be very creative flavours sometimes.

Perhaps i should visit a Cider fair one day, would be interesting. I am certainly not looking for anything as strong as Scrumpy. I prefer sweet but some do not and that is fine. Most ciders are only 4%

I remember when we went to Devon Last year and whilst on the Steam Train, seeing all the Apple Trees and thinking of Cider. Wish we had more time to have had a look around more shops for local producers etc. Dad got 2 Bottles of Rattler cider.

BROTHERS CIDER

  • Tofee Apple – among my top faves
  • Honeycomb Toffee like vibes
  • Cherry Bakewell new 2022/23 love this one
  • Raspberry Ripple new 2023
  • Strawberries & Cream classic combo
  • Rhubarb & Custard love this one a classic combo
  • Tutti frutti
  • Marshmallow
  • Parma Violet- you have to be a fan to like this one
  • Coconut & Lime – long time ago that one
  • Pink Grapefruit
  • Strawberry & Lime everyone does this flavour it seems

Koppaberg CIDER

  • Spiced Apple – one that could be drunk warm or cold. I tried it both ways preferred cold
  • Rhubarb
  • Cherry
  • Elderflower
  • Passionfruit
  • Mixed fruit ( Orange Passionfruit)
  • Summer Punch (Apple &Peach
  • Pear
  • Passionfruit Orange

REKORDERLIG CIDER

  • Strawberry Lime
  • Watermelon Citrus – loved this one also
  • Rhubarb Lemon Mint
  • Grapefruit Rosemary
  • Peach & Basil
  • Peach and Apricot
  • Passionfruit
  • Mango Raspberry
  • Wild Berries
  • Raspberry Hibiscus Rose
  • Blood Orange

SUPERMARKET OWN

  • Alska Aldi lots of different flavours available and coming out regularly. For me they just lacked sweetness i prefer, and the flavours were not as pungent as other brands ( Mango & Mandarin, Blood Orange Cranberry Cinnamon, Cherry, Cherry & Raspberry, Poached Pear Rhubarb,Pineapple & Raspberry, Watermelon & Berries
  • M&S – I ordered quite a few from Ocado including M&S own brand ones, they were not sweet at all ! big no for me ( Devon farmhouse cider Elderflower infusion and Raspberry) Christmas cider
  • Sainsburys they have done great seasonal summer and winter flavours like (Pina colada, Cherry Colada, Raspberry & Lemon, Clementine & Winter Berry, Cloudy Lemon) these have either been great or in the middle.
  • Asda have had some but none i have pics of currently

OTHER BRANDS SMALL AND BIG

  • OLD MOUT ( Watermelon & Lime, Pineapple Raspberry, Strawberry & Apple and several other flavours
  • CRANES I like these ones as they are full of the flavour of what they say on the label (Blueberry/Apple, Lemon & Kumquat, Cranberry & Lime, Raspberry & Pomegranates
  • Pip & Wild Strawberry & Rose – a bit too heavy on the Rose was like drinking Rosewater
  • STRONGBOW (Dark fruits, Rose) these are more on the dry side less sweet
  • BULMERS (Red Berries & Lime,Blood Orange other flavours out there too)
  • CHAMPIONS CIDER low Alcohol Strawberry
  • ANNINGS FRUIT CIDER (Pear & Mint loved this one very flavourseome, Grapefruit and Pineapple)
  • RATTLER CIDER
  • TEMPTED CIDER STRAWBERRY
  • STELLA CIDRE (Apple, Pear, Raspberry, Peach, Elderflower)

Where do you get Cider from?

You can buy it in any Supermarket or convenience store probably. Though the choice may be limited sometimes. I do like browsing online on Ocado and seeing different ones from different brands. And also trying out independent makers, offering something different to stand out from the crowd.

Looking back i certainly have tried a big variety of flavours and brands, and always looking out for more and old favourites. It has been rare i have not been able to drink the whole bottle/Can because of taste, but has happened for a few.

Any suggestions or do you have any favourites from past time or present ? let me know in the comments

Thanks for reading, you can catch the individual reviews for most of these on my instagram (link somewhere) and more in depth opinions on taste etc.

Adam x