Our favorite Ontario ciders, right now | Ontario Culinary
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Our favorite Ontario ciders, right now

It’s officially apple pickin’ season in Ontario, y’all! We’re celebrating the arrival of all the apples with a glass of all-Ontario cider. There’s over 50 producers pressin’ cider in Ontario right now, and that’s something to celebrate.

Here’s our picks for the best craft ciders in Ontario, right now.


Agatha “Hardcore” Podgorski

My Pick: Lost Orchard 2017 Harvest, Windswept Orchard Cider, Grey County

“I love a good story almost as much as I love a good cider. Did you know that there are hundreds of acres of forgotten orchards scattered around Georgian Bay? Full of dozens of heritage varieties of apples, some long since forgotten, they’ve been abandoned in favour of modern production approaches. Mark forages these apples to create Windswept’s Lost Orchard series. It’s dry, funky and drinks beautifully – if you can’t get to the cidery, head to Her Father’s Cider Bar for a taste!”


Caroline “Apple of My Eye” Morrow

My Pick:Waupoos Cider, County Cider Company, 657 Bongards Crossroad, Prince Edward County

“Cider! Such an underrated and delicious and refreshing drink and it matches so well with the changing seasons. My favourite is cider these days is Waupoos from County Cider Company. I like that it’s a bit more on the dry side, so you can drink it on its own or with food. I also love visiting them in the fall when that harvest feeling is in full swing.”


Megan “Always A-Peeling” Wollenberg

My Pick: Rubee, Ernest Cider, York Region

“I like when cider makers add a little something special to a traditional dry cider. At this time of year, Muskoka-grown cranberries fit the bill. The folks at Ernest get their cranberries from Johnston’s Cranberries in bala – who coincidentally are up for an Ontario Culinary Tourism Award for their ‘In The Bog Experience’. I really want to do that this season!”


Trevor “Sweet Cider” Benson

My pick: Sweet Sparkling Apple Cider, Spirit Tree Estate Cidery, Caledon

“This sans alcohol (soft) cider is a sweet blend of tree-ripened Ontario apples. It’s produced with the same care and attention as all of Spirit Tree’s delicious ciders, with the only difference being that everyone can enjoy it.”


Rebecca “Mac Daddy” Mackenzie

My Pick: Big Mac Single-Varietal, West Avenue Cider, Freelton

“The Macintosh apple is a classic Ontario apple – but it’s a traditional cider apple. I gravitated toward this cider for the story, but really liked how tart and crisp it was! West Avenue makes great cider from so many different kinds of apples, but this one stuck with me.”


Christine “Keep it Classic” Kuzyk

My Pick: Tawse Sparkling Cider, Tawse, Vineland

“I only recently started exploring Ontario cider thanks to the team at Her Father’s Cider Bar, one of our newest Feast On venues. On my last visit, I tried the Tawse Sparkling Cider as part of a flight. Refreshingly crisp and of course made with 100% Ontario Apples. Perfectly paired with chickpea poutine…Feast On!”


Landon “Pommies all day” Logie

My Pick: Pommies Original, Pommies Cider, Headwaters

“When I reach for a cold glass of cider, it’s usually Pommies. Their original is my favourite, but I recently tried their seasonal Red Sangria Cider and I have to say – it’s a close second. Made with 100% Ontario apples and wine this refreshing blend pairs perfectly with a crisp autumn day.”


Nalisha “Core-ect Me If I’m Wrong” Sankreacha

My pick: Emergent Property: a Tequila Barrel-Aged Apfelgose with Lime, Revel Cider, Guelph

“This was a beautiful cider. I’m a beer drinker, but the tequila-barrel funk and lime on this Mexican-inspired release won my heart. It’s an Apfelgose – which means cider with lactobacillus, sea salt & coriander. It’s also bottle conditioned and very dry. I love it!”


For all things cider, all the time, check out the Ontario Craft Cider Association on Instagram.