Now that the days have grown shorter and crisp fall air is rolling in, one drink seems to capture the essence of this season with every sip. Whether you love it warm or chilled, apple cider is a sweet, tangy, and utterly delicious beverage with a splash of fall in every glass.

It’s more than just a fall favorite though. It’s a true celebration of all things apple. Let’s dive into the backstory of this fall fave and see why it’s so much more than just a seasonal treat!

But first, let’s clear up any confusion… apple cider is not apple juice. Cider is the fresher version of the two, made from pressed apples, and is unfiltered. Considered a seasonal drink, it can be hard to find outside of the fall season. Apple juice is the opposite of cider and is filtered and pasteurized to give it a longer shelf life. When tasting the two, apple juice is distinctly sweeter than cider and has a smoother texture.

The magic of apple cider is in how the cider-maker balances the tart, sweet, and acid flavors with different varieties of apples. These endless combinations create a drink that’s as unique as it is traditional. And, whether you’re tasting apple cider from a local farm or picking up a bottle from the store, you’re in for a burst of fall flavors.

Fun Fact: it takes about 36 apples to make just one gallon of cider!

There is no wrong way to enjoy this fall drink and here are just a few fun ways to make it even better:

1. Hot and Spiced: This is the traditional way to enjoy apple cider, and is as easy to make as warming it on the stove, and sprinkling it with cinnamon, sliced oranges, cloves, anise, and a dash of nutmeg. Let the mixture simmer and fill the house with its cozy aromas. When the cider reaches the perfect warming temperature pour this lovely elixir into a mug and snuggle up under your favorite blanket.
2. Apple Cider Donuts: Like pillows of heaven, a good apple cider donut is a life-changing experience. Moist, flavorful, and often coated in cinnamon sugar, it’s hard to stop at just one!
3. Cider Float: Like floating on a creamy, dreamy cloud, an apple cider float is created by pouring chilled cider over a scoop of your favorite brand vanilla ice cream. The tangy cider and creamy ice cream combine to make a dreamy fall dessert drink. Try Martha Stewarts’ recipe for this heavenly dessert drink!
4. Cider Cocktails: If you’re feeling a bit boozy you can use apple cider as a base for fun fall cocktails. Try adding a splash of bourbon or rum, a cinnamon stick, and a slice of apple for garnish. It’s cider with a twist! We love this Apple Cider Aperol Spritz over on the Joy and Oliver blog! Photo: JoyOliver.com

Besides tasting great, apple cider also has a few health benefits you didn’t expect. Unfiltered cider contains antioxidants from the apples themselves boosting your immune system – perfect now that the weather is cooling down! Cider is a great source of vitamin C, and with no added sugar, it’s a wholesome way to satisfy your sweet tooth.

And sipping apple cider is like an imbibing tradition. Cider has deep roots in American and European history. It was the go-to drink in Colonial America because it was easier to produce than clean drinking water. Fermented apple cider (the hard stuff) became particularly popular, though sweet and sober cider is now the seasonal superstar in the U.S.

Today we are so glad that apple cider is just as good now as it was when they first sipped it in colonial America! We can all agree that apple-picking season, hayrides, and fall festivals wouldn’t be complete without a mug of cider. And let’s not forget the joy of visiting an apple orchard and seeing the cider-making process firsthand – right from the apple press to your cup!

The next time you’re wrapping your hands around a cup of cider, take a moment to savor the simple joys of the season. Apple cider is much more than a drink – it’s a celebration of fall, a taste of tradition, and a warm reminder of how deliciously simple life can be. So, this fall, let yourself get swept away in the seasonal magic of this drink. After all, nothing creates the feeling of “fall” more than apple cider.

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Deb Fries works with the Julianna Rae team to offer the best shopping experience for quality silk and cotton sleepwear while also writing for the blog at Juliannarae.com.