What is Ice Cider? 

Ice cider is a dessert or aperitif style cider made by freezing the apples or the juice prior to fermentation. By freezing the fruit or the juice, pure ice/water is extracted from the juice that's left behind. This process concentrates the sugars and flavors, resulting in a sweeter cider with a higher than usual alcohol content after fermentation (usually close to 10% ABV). The acidity and other flavor characteristics of the apple are also concentrated. The profile for an ice cider is a delightful treat - sweet but often with balancing acidity and rich complexities. 

History and Traditions of Ice Cider - from Canada to the U.S. and Beyond

Ice Cider originated in the Province of Quebec in Canada, where it is still a rich part of their regional cider making culture. There is a growing interest in ice cider amongst cider makers across the U.S. It's most common amongst cideries in the Northeast (New England states, New York, etc.) where many of the ice ciders being made in the region are naturally freezing the fruit or juice outdoors during the colder winter months. Ice cider has also caught on in other parts of the world with rich cider cultures - most notably Norway's burgeoning cider scene where nearly every cidery makes a divine ice cider - or in many cases, multiple varieties (ice cider is Issidre in Norweigan). We've had the pleasure of tasting great ice cider expressions from Spain and France. 

Storage, Aging, and Serving Suggestions for Ice Cider

Ice cider is best enjoyed slightly chilled at around 45-50 degrees (F) - pull it out of the fridge 5-10 minutes before serving. Traditionally served in one or two ounce pours. Bottles should be stored refrigerated after opening. A bottle of ice cider will hold up well for a week or more after originally opening if kept refrigerated. They can actually last much longer than that, though they'll begin to oxidize - which in some cases is an interesting evolution in the flavor profile. Best to consume them before too long after opening - which usually won't be a problem, they're too delicious to leave around much longer!

Unopened bottles of ice cider can age beautifully for several years. Store at cool (cellar) temperatures.

More About Ice Cider:

• Cryo-Concentration is the process of making ice cider by freezing (or partially freezing) the juice. The first thing to freeze is pure ice, which can be removed from the juice leaving behind a concentrated apple nectar. 
• Cryo-Extraction is the ice cider making process most similar to other dessert wines in which the apples freeze in the orchard. The frozen, partially dried out fruit is then pressed into a juice of higher concentration than would have resulted from the fresh fruit.