Cider is a fantastic beverage for Thanksgiving, with a range of flavors to suit savory, sweet, and spicy dishes. It's an ideal alternative to wine or beer, bringing a refreshing acidity and fruit-forward profile that lifts and enhances Thanksgiving flavors. From crisp dry ciders to dessert-ready ice ciders, there's a pairing for everyone at your table.
Start Thanksgiving with a Cider Aperitif
Opening your Thanksgiving celebration with a light cider aperitif or cocktail helps set a festive mood. Here are a few ideas to get started:
Lisa Laird CranJack Cocktail
1 1/2 oz. Laird's Straight Applejack
4 oz. Club soda
Cranberry juice
Slice of lime
Classic Sparkling Cider: A crisp, dry sparkling cider in a champagne flute makes a refreshing, light aperitif.
Apple-Ginger Cider Mocktail: Mix sparkling cider with ginger juice and garnish with apple slices for a warming, spiced start to the meal.
Main Course: Turkey and Vegetarian Pairings
Whether your main course is turkey or a vegetarian option, cider brings out the best in savory herbs and seasonings. Here are a few pairing suggestions
For Turkey Lovers
Herb-Roasted Turkey with Rosemary and Sage
Pair with: Dry, crisp cider from the Finger Lakes or Vermont.
Why It Works: The dry cider's acidity complements the turkey's rich, savory herbs, offering a light and refreshing contrast to the meat's natural flavors.
Why It Works: Sweeter ciders with notes of cinnamon or nutmeg pick up on the spices in sweet potatoes, adding a warm, cozy feel to the meal.
Recommended Ciders:
Botanist and Barrel: Scarlet (North Carolina) (750 mL) & (375 mL) 6.9% - Spiced Winter Rose Cider, made with orange peel, cinnamon, star anise, allspice, cloves, dried ginger, nutmeg.
Thanksgiving Dessert: Sweet Cider Pairings
Finish off your Thanksgiving feast with dessert ciders that enhance the sweet, spiced flavors of classic holiday pies and treats.
Pumpkin Pie
Pair with: Ice cider from Vermont or New York.
Why It Works: Ice cider's concentrated apple sweetness and acidity balance the spiced pumpkin filling, creating a luxurious, indulgent pairing.
Why It Works: The caramelized, nutty flavor of barrel-aged cider mirrors the rich, sweet flavors of a pecan tart, creating a seamless finish to the meal.
Mega dry cider with rich tannins - The Ross Cider and Perry Company (UK) Bisquet single varietal bittersweet and is crazy good with chocolate!
Best Ciders to Buy for Thanksgiving
Looking to stock up on ciders for Thanksgiving? Here are a few recommendations to suit each pairing:
Finger Lakes, NY: Known for high-acid, mineral-rich ciders that pair well with turkey and savory sides.
New England: From Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island - you can't go wrong! Seek out the semi-sweet and dry ciders for root vegetables and Thanksgiving desserts.
Oregon & Washington: Earthy, balanced ciders that match vegetarian dishes like stuffed squash or mushroom Wellington.
Hudson Valley, NY: Tannic ciders that bring complexity to lentil dishes and roasted vegetables.
California & Virginia: Excellent options for barrel-aged ciders to pair with smoked turkey or pecan pie.
Cider Pairs Perfectly all Year Long!
Cider's unique blend of acidity, tannins, and natural sweetness makes it the perfect drink to elevate your Thanksgiving feast and really any meal all year long. From bright aperitifs to rich dessert pairings, cider has a flavor for every dish. So this year, why not explore the flavors of Thanksgiving with cider in hand?
Mentions in this Cider Chat
Listen to Lairds & Company Part 1 and 2 on Cider Chat
There’s a whole world in a glass of cider, and Cider Chat is your invitation to explore it. Hosted by award-winning cidermaker and writer Ria Windcaller, this podcast travels far beyond the bottle to meet the people who make the global cider culture so vibrant. Each conversation is a journey-you might find yourself in a heritage orchard learning the history of forgotten apple varieties, in a bustling taproom with an importer explaining regional traditions, or in a kitchen with a chef pairing cider with unexpected foods. The discussions get into the delightful nuances, too, whether that’s the semantics of what we even call this drink or how the concept of terroir translates from soil to sip. It’s not just about production; it’s about the community, the travel, and the stories that fermentation unlocks. This is for anyone curious about the craft, history, and sheer enjoyment of fermented apple juice in all its forms. So, pour a glass and settle in for a series that feels like a wide-ranging, informative, and genuinely good-humored chat with friends who happen to be obsessed with cider. You’ll come away with a deeper appreciation for every effervescent, tart, or sweet sip, hearing directly from the growers, makers, and enthusiasts who are shaping this drink’s exciting present and future.
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