5 Best Places For Cider In New York City
New York State has some of the world's best apples, so it stands to reason that it also makes some of the world's best ciders. The five purveyors listed below are our favorite places for cider in New York City -- worth a visit to celebrate Cider Week NYC, from Nov. 5 through Nov. 15, or any other time for that matter. By Jessica Allen.
Childhood friends Devin Britton and Albert Wilklow started Bad Seed Cider a few years ago. The product is hand crafted, and derived from the apples from Albert's farm (the Wilklows have been apple farmers in the Hudson Valley for six generations). Bad Seed is available at greenmarkets around town, including the one at the Union Square on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Feel like a field trip? The farm is open for tours as well as pumpkin and apple picking from September through December.
Located in the East Village, Jimmy's No. 43 offers the best of both worlds: a carefully curated, constantly rotating selection of wine, cider (sourced from such locales as New York State, New England, Germany, and Spain), craft beer, and spirits, along with craveable, delectable food. Check the events page to learn more about upcoming featured dinners with special drink pairings, including 10 days of tastings and talks in honor of Cider Week.
Partners in love and life, Jennifer Lim and Ben Sandler wanted to create a fun hangout in their Astoria neighborhood. And so The Queens Kickshaw was born. Here's an excellent place to while away the morning over a cup of coffee, or to hang out in the afternoon with a cup of mead or cider, by the bottle or draught, or to grab a low-key evening drink with friends. And to eat? Try one of the absolutely astonishing grilled cheeses.
In French, terroir means "land," and the food and beverage program at Terroir seeks to "give voice to place." Whether you're kicking back and slurping oysters at the original Tribeca location, or soaking up the view and snacking on bratwurst at Terroir Highline (open seasonally), you'll definitely feel like you're somewhere. Bonus: the cider section of the drink menu explains the history of the phrase "the big apple." Try the apple cider donuts too!
Owned by the fine folks behind The Queens Kickshaw, Wassail is New York City's first cider bar. In addition to 90-something ciders by the bottle or on draught, there's a nice selection of apple-focused cocktails, such as Escape from New York (rye, Black Dirt Apple Brandy, pineapple, and coconut). The food menu focuses mainly on vegetables, with dishes like lobster mushroom and butternut squash soup.
