Best Ciders for Summer: The Bargain Booze Guide to Apple, Fruit and Craft Ciders
Cider is the drink that was made for warm weather. Cold from the fridge, sharp enough to cut through a hot afternoon, sweet enough to keep things interesting, and lighter than most beers without feeling like a compromise. Whether you drink it by the pint or by the bottle, there is a style for every palate and every occasion.
This guide covers everything from the reliable apple ciders that fill a cool box to the fruit and craft options that make a garden party feel like a festival. What to buy, what to serve it with, and how to make sure everything is cold enough when it matters.
How to Think About Summer Cider
Three things to get right.
One, match the cider to the moment. Traditional apple ciders like Thatchers Gold are the all-day option, reliable and crowd-pleasing. Fruit ciders like Old Mout and Brothers are the mid-afternoon wildcard that keeps things interesting. Craft and vintage ciders are for slower, more deliberate drinking in the evening.
Two, serve it properly cold. Cider loses its edge warm. Fridge temperature, around 4 to 6 degrees, is ideal. If you are drinking outside, a cool box with ice and water is essential. Twenty minutes submerged in ice water chills a room-temperature can or bottle faster than two hours in a fridge.
Three, variety wins. A mixed cider selection goes further than a wall of one thing. Two or three styles covers a whole group without anyone feeling left out.
Best Apple Ciders for Summer
Apple cider is the backbone of any summer drinks table. Clean, crisp and easy to drink over a long afternoon.
Thatchers Gold is the gold standard for a reason. Medium dry, light-bodied, with a clean apple finish that works on its own or alongside almost any food. It is the cider equivalent of a reliable lager, and that is meant as a compliment.
Thatchers Haze is its cloudier, softer sibling. Unfiltered, slightly sweeter, with more orchard character. It suits anyone who finds Gold a bit too dry, and it looks beautiful in a glass.
Both are available in 10x440ml multipacks, which is the smart buy for any gathering of more than two people.
Best Fruit Ciders for Summer
Fruit cider is where things get interesting. These are the bottles that catch people’s eye, spark a conversation and disappear from the cool box first.
Old Mout Berries & Cherries is the crowd favourite for a reason. Sweet, berry-forward and bright pink, it drinks like summer in a bottle. Old Mout Kiwi & Lime is the more tropical alternative, sharper and more refreshing, brilliant with spicy food.
Brothers Toffee Apple is the wildcard. Sweet, warming and unlike anything else on the table, it divides opinion but its fans are devoted. Brothers Strawberries & Cream plays a similar trick, creamy and dessert-like, and pairs surprisingly well with a cheese plate.
Strongbow Dark Fruit sits in the middle ground. More mainstream than the craft options, more interesting than standard cider, and available in big multipacks that suit a crowd. It is the fruit cider for people who are not sure they like fruit cider.
How to Serve Cider at a Garden Party
For a big group: fill a cool box with ice and water, drop in a mix of apple and fruit ciders, and let people help themselves. Label nothing. Half the fun is trying something you would not normally pick.
For a smaller gathering: pour cider into proper glasses with ice. It changes the texture completely and makes the whole thing feel more considered. A slice of apple in a Thatchers Gold or a few frozen berries in an Old Mout lifts the presentation for no effort.
For food: apple ciders pair with pork, chicken and cheese. Fruit ciders pair with spicy food, salads and desserts. Dark fruit ciders bridge the two.
Cider and Food Pairings
- Thatchers Gold with pulled pork, a ploughman’s or grilled chicken
- Thatchers Haze with fish and chips, light salads or battered prawns
- Old Mout Berries & Cherries with a cheeseboard, chocolate cake or spiced lamb
- Old Mout Kiwi & Lime with Thai green curry, prawn tacos or a fresh fruit salad
- Brothers Toffee Apple with pork belly, apple crumble or sharp cheddar
- Strongbow Dark Fruit with burgers, barbecue ribs or nachos
How Much Cider to Buy Per Person
A rough guide for a four to six hour gathering:
- Dedicated cider drinkers: 4 to 5 cans each
- Mixed drinkers: 2 to 3 cans alongside beer and wine
- Fruit cider fans: 3 to 4 bottles, usually across more than one flavour
Always round up. Cider keeps well and nobody has ever regretted having a spare Thatchers in the fridge.
FAQs
What is the best cider for a BBQ? Thatchers Gold for an all-rounder, Strongbow Dark Fruit for something with more character, and Old Mout Berries & Cherries for a crowd-pleasing fruit option.
Should cider be served with ice? Personal preference, but a handful of ice in a glass of fruit cider on a hot day is genuinely transformative. Apple ciders are best straight from the fridge without ice.
What is the difference between craft cider and mainstream cider? Craft ciders tend to use a higher proportion of fresh apple juice and fewer added flavourings. They are often drier, more complex and slightly higher in ABV.
Where can I find cider deals near me? Use the Bargain Booze store locator to find your nearest store, or browse the latest deals at bargainbooze.co.uk/deals.
