These Hard Ciders Are Crafted in Westchester County

Adobe Stock/ Brent Hofacker

All about keeping it local? Sip on this handful of hard ciders fermented in Westchester using premium New York apples.

The Northeast is flooded with orchards and distilleries that the perfect ciders for every palate. With New York being the second-largest producer of apples in the nation, it has over 125 hard cider producers. Throughout Westchester, restaurants and bars carry ciders from Massachusetts, Vermont, and Connecticut. However, it’s rewarding to order a glass that’s made in a town near you. We found some of the best local ciders crafted from top-notch apples grown in New York.

Hardscrabble Cider

130 Hardscrabble Rd, North Salem; 914.485.1210

Hardscrabble is 100% hand-crafted on the family’s farm. Alex, Kevin, and Ben Covino, three brothers from Brewster, acquired the orchard back in 2011, and their first task was to plant thousands of apple whips. The apples (a variety of 10 onsite) are picked from the orchard, cleaned, pressed, fermented, and bottled to perfection. The fermentation process is carefully monitored, and the libation is filtered numerous times to guarantee a clean and fresh taste. With a selection of dry, tart, hazy, and even spicy varieties on tap, you won’t run out of options. Plus, the cidery offers specialty drinks, like a cider mimosa, from Wednesdays to Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Thompson’s Cider Mill

Croton-on-Hudson; 914.409.3433

Thompson Cider Mill opens for the season on September 16, while its hard cider is available year-round for pickup or delivery. Thompson’s Cider Mill carries apple-rose, apple-raspberry, apple-blueberry, apple-blackberry, and pear varieties. Can we get a glass? Geoff Thompson began operations in 1975 by using a hand-operating grinder and juice press. Thompson later purchased a plot of land to build the mill along with his family’s home. Now, more than 500 trees stand in the orchard and contribute to the creation of cider. You can also find these sips at eateries across Westchester.

Merchant’s Daughter 

8 Main St, Purdys; 914.372.7610

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Merchant’s Daughter’s restored taproom is located in Purdys inside of a New England-style building. The Westchester brand offer three ciders: Dry, Semi-Dry, and Clara’s Reserve. The Semi-Dry features hints of apple blossoms and honey melons, while the Dry has notes of peach and apricot. Clara’s Reserve is available for limited time only and made from apples harvested in 2017. It boasts a stately apple flavor with additional notes of ginger, almond, and butterscotch. Find Merchant’s Daughter bottles at multiple DeCicco & Sons, along with other stores and breweries around Westchester.

Related: Merchant’s Daughter Pours Hard Cider From Purdys

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