One of the hallmarks of craft cider is the festive fizzy effervescence. Something about bubbles dancing in your glass makes it celebratory to sip. But what if the bubbles were gone? Where did the bubbles go? Would cider be as good without bubbles? Please know I am not talking about cider that has gone flat but about Still Cider. Still cider is intentionally produced to consume still, preferably cool in temperature and in a fancy glass!
Still ciders often represent the truest expression of the fruit. There is nowhere to hide a fault, not even behind carbonation. Still cider production is a growing niche in Canada and now occurs right here in Alberta.
Let me introduce you to Fox Hills Cider. It is all hands on deck for this family-owned business. They do everything from brewing, flavoring, canning, and labeling in their backyard cidery in Ardrossan. For those of you that don’t know, Ardrossan is just east of Sherwood Park.
These ciders start off the same way most ciders do, with 100% apple juice, not concentrate, and high-quality flavors. The only thing that they don’t do is add the bubbles. We now proudly carry Fox Hills’ Dry Apple. Blackberry Lemonade and Pineapple ciders.
Another amazing thing about still cider, is that they make a great base for cocktails.
Pineapple Rum Swizzle
1.5 oz Rum of your choice (I prefer spiced)
.5 can Fox Hills Pineapple Cider
.5 oz Maraschino liqueur
3 dashes Angostura bitters
Crushed Ice
Fill Collins glass with crushed ice, add ingredients and ‘swizzle’ until fully mixed and the glass is frosty.
Blackberry Lemonade
1 oz Bourbon of your choice
.5 can Fox Hills Blackberry Lemonade
3-4 blackberries
3 sprigs of mint
In a cocktail mixing glass muddle the blackberries. Slap the mint between your hand to release the oils before added to the berries.
Add the liquor and ice. Shake until combined and cold. Strain into crushed ice-filled Collins glasses.
Caramel Apple
1.5 oz Caramel Vodka
.5 can Fox Hills Dry Apple Cider
Fill highball glass with ice and vodka and cider. Stir and enjoy!