Move over gin! There’s a new trendy bev in town.
Don’t get me wrong, I won’t be ditching the gin anytime soon, but it’s always nice to switch things up.
In recent months, a number of cider brands like Kopparberg and have been changing their strategy to become popular again. The have famously released their signature strawberry and lime flavour in gin form, and I am yet to try it. That also goes for Jack Daniels creating a cider – walking down the booze aisle in B&M feels like all the labels have been switched on the drinks.
The problem I have is, the gin world is already oversaturated with amazing brands and flavours. Hopping on the gin train won’t necessarily be the boost the brand needs.
Brothers cider have got the right idea. With cider brands glory-hunting on gin with the same flavours, it has given Brothers a bit of leg room to have a play around. They know that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, and have cultivated their own space to bring us four brand new, exciting flavours.
The fresh flavours bring a whole new experience to drinking cider. It’s no longer the bev you got your mates brother to buy so you could drink it on the park. It’s the crate you proudly bring to the family BBQ and your uncles, sister, and cousins flock around you. They’re ciders for people who don’t typically like ciders – it’s a drink for everyone (except under 18s obvs.)
The new range includes: Toffee Apple, Rhubarb and Custard, Strawberries and Cream and Parma Violet.
Sipped from the bottle, or poured over ice, all of these ciders are delicious to drink as they are, but there are a few fun ways you can play around with them, too.
Firstly, a shot of vodka or gin makes these a super simple cocktail that you can give your own unique name too. Strawberries and Cream with vodka, fresh strawberries and a dash of puree or syrup, or make your own Parma Violet gin mix!
The next drink I tried was a cider slushie! To do this, I poured a Brothers Parma Violet cider into a sandwich box and popped it in the freezer for around five hours. Then, I used a fork to ‘mash’ the semi-frozen drink into a slushie consistency. Next, spoon it into a glass, pop in a paper (or metal) straw and voila! Who needs a Slush Puppy machine?
The last way I have tried these ciders is as an ice lolly! One bottle of the Strawberries and Cream cider filled six ice lolly moulds. I left them in the freezer overnight and enjoyed one after a long Friday in the garden.
My favourite all-year-round flavour is definitely the Toffee Apple, which will be particularly fitting around autumn and Halloween. The other flavours are certainly more summery, but equally sweet and tasty!
Let me know in the comments which flavour is your favourite, and if you have tried anything creative with them!
Defo trying the slushie idea 😉