The Joy of Cider
Versatile, delicious, & naturally gluten free
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For a long while after I was diagnosed with celiac disease, my go-to drink for a night out was a glass of wine. That was fine at a party, but it always made me feel a little out of place in a pub or bar. It wasn’t until I visited Sweden that I discovered how diverse and delicious cider can be, and how it’s a perfect drink for a night out with friends or to pair up with food. Cider can take the place of a beer, a sparkling wine, or even a cocktail — the variety is incredible.
People often ask whether hard cider — which contains alcohol — is always gluten-free. There’s a growing confusion because of recent claims on social media saying that cider isn’t always safe for celiacs, with warnings like, “You need to watch out for barley-based cider.” Here’s the thing: if it’s barley-based, it’s not cider. Some people are confusing beer and ale with cider. They are not the same thing, though marketing is blurring the distinction, with “Apple Ale” becoming a thing (apple ale is still ale, not cider).
The bottom line is that cider is safe for celiacs, but you should always double-check brands you’re not familiar with to make sure there are no “bonus” ingredients. Here are some of my favorites — and these ones are all reliably gluten-free!
Kopparberg: This is one of the brands that converted me to being a cider fan. Kopparberg is one of Sweden’s best-known cider exports, especially beloved by people who like their cider on the lighter, sweeter side. It’s made with a fermented apple or pear base and then layered with flavors like Strawberry-Lime, Mixed Fruit, and Pear, so it often lands somewhere between a traditional cider and a light, sparkling cocktail in terms of taste.
Rekorderlig: This is the cider you reach for when you want something that tastes like a beachy vacation in a glass rather than a beer alternative. Produced in Sweden and widely exported, it’s got a base of fermented fruit and spring water, it’s known for gently sparkling, fruit-forward flavors like Strawberry-Lime and Wild Berries that taste more like a delicate spritz than a traditional pub cider. Rekorderlig’s Pear cider goes with everything.
Angry Orchard: This is America’s national workhorse of cider. It’s everywhere from airport bars to concert venues (including Madison Square Garden), which makes it a practical safety net when you’re out in the wild. Flavor-wise, the flagship Crisp Apple is a satisfying mix of acid and sweet. The Mad Pear version is terrific but only available at certain times of the year, so you might want to stockpile it if you see it.
Original Sin: This is what you order when you want cider to feel a little bit noir—small-batch, New York–born, and leaning drier and more grown-up than many mainstream options. The core apple cider has a clean, crisp profile, but the real fun is in the fruit-forward bottles. The Black Widow variety blends New York apples with blackberries for a deep ruby pour that drinks like a cross between cider and a tart, refreshing spritzer.
Liberty Village Dry Cider: This Toronto-based company has the world’s simplest cider recipe, and that’s 100% preservative-free Ontario apples. They also use a unique fermentation process to remove all natural sugars from the apples. As they say, “Instead of adding any sugars or sweeteners back in we opted to package it as is to create a one-of-a-kind cider.” So pure, so delicious, so dry.
Thistly Cross: Made in Scotland, this is one of the most sophisticated ciders I’ve sampled. Varieties include Traditional, Whisky Cask–Aged, and Elderflower, each bringing a slightly different twist to the base cider—and all certified gluten-free. The Whisky Cask in particular is a stand out: the time spent in whisky barrels adds a subtle vanilla-wood note that feels cozy and complex. They also craft an amazing alcohol-free cider with elderflower. Sadly, I’ve yet to find this one in North America—though it is widely available in the UK.
Do you have a favorite cider? Let me know in the comments?