Cider

We have been in the midst of a cider boom for many years now, and it actually preceded the craft beer revival of more recent times. Cider isn’t a complicated beverage. At its best it provides high acidity, palate cleansing elegance, light delicate flavours of the apples or pears from which it is made. Perfect as a cocktail ingredient!

Of course, it’s essential to get the right raw materials to juice and ferment into a delicious and well balanced natural cider.

Speaking with Richard Feyn from Sydney Brewery, one of Australia’s leading cider producers, he mentioned that from his perspective one of the most critical parts of the process is to start with the right type of yeast. When it comes to the apples, he says, “The viscosity of the apple juice is important. We go with a Granny Smith, Pink Lady and Red Delicious blend to get that tartness and acidity but with big apple flavours that are the foundation. The juice is so important and Adelaide Hills apple juice has got a certain viscosity and mouthfeel that’s perfect.

Our point of difference with Sydney Cider is that it has structure and it’s got layers, nice apple flavours up front, a crisp mid-palate and nice clean back palate - due to the winemaking techniques that we are using.”

By having a three to four-week ferment, Sydney Brewery is able to produce an elegant and crisp style of cider that takes on its fruit flavour by carefully adding the right balance of flavours and acidity from apple juice.

Similarly, with the award winning Agave Ginger Cider, it’s the careful addition of organic ginger juice and balancing that spiciness with agave syrup and getting the ratio perfectly balanced when blended with the apple cider, and the ongoing challenge is to get that right.

We think they’ve got it perfected, especially since taking home ‘World’s Best Flavoured Cider’ at the 2018 World Cider Awards for the Agave Ginger Cider.

Sydney Cider has recently collaborated with Oscar.697 Bianco Vermouth to create a ready mixed cider and vermouth drink they are calling Sydney 697.

SYDNEY 697

INGREDIENTS: 120ml Sydney Cider 30ml Oscar.697 Bianco Vermouth

METHOD: Add ingredients to a stemless wine glass, add ice and stir gently

GARNISH: Orange slice

GLASSWARE: Stemless wine glass

THE MANLY PERRY COLLINS

INGREDIENTS: 100ml Manly Perry Cider 20ml Manly Spirits Gin 10ml Fresh lemon juice 30ml Pear juice 5ml Sugar syrup (if needed)

METHOD: Add ingredients to a highball glass, add ice and stir gently

GARNISH: Slice of pear

GLASSWARE: Highball

AGAVE GINGER MULE

INGREDIENTS: 100ml Agave Ginger Cider 20ml Patrón Silver Tequila 15ml Fresh lime juice 5ml Agave syrup 2 x Lime wedges squeezed

METHOD:Add ingredients to a highball glass rimmed with sea salt, add ice and stir gently

GARNISH: Lime wedge