With a little help from the growing gluten free movement (whether drinkers are actually allergic to it or not), cider has become increasingly popular and diverse. Gone are the days when overly sweet varieties were the only bottles available at your local beer purveyor. Now, there are tons of great companies like Austin Eastciders and Shacksbury producing dry, interesting varieties, and speciality cider bars (like Brooklyn Cider House) are becoming the norm in large cities across the country. Cider is having a moment, and it’s even making its way into the cocktail world.
Cider is light and refreshing by nature, so it adds a bright effervescence to cocktails when used properly. Bartenders all over the country are finding new, cool ways to use the low-ABV beverage behind the stick, whether that means topping a drink with fruity cider or using it as the base of a cocktail. So we asked some to fill us in on the cider cocktails they’re most excited about drinking this summer. These four easy recipes are as inventive as they are tasty, and they’ll give you something new to drink as the warmer months approach.