January is a great time to fall in love with apples thanks to the noisy, slightly bonkers Twelfth Night tradition of wassailing in apple orchards with pots and pans. It’s coming back, don’t you know! I’m going to one on Saturday dressed in foliage. Intrigued? See more about wassailing in this article here.
For those seeking some proper apple-based drinks to explore this January however, here’s a handful of proper ciders, an apple cider vinegar based ‘switchel’ and a gorgeous, new, non-alcoholic cider:
Starlight, Traditional Method Sparkling Cider, 75cl, 8%, £17.50, Rull Orchard
Starlight earns its Champagne comparison the hard way: through the same painstaking ‘traditional method’ process used there. Here at Rull Orchard in Devon, hand-picked apples undergo wild fermentation before being bottled for a second fermentation on the lees: the process which creates those fine, persistent bubbles and gorgeous yeasty tang. The result is crisp green apple on the nose, brut-dry on the palate, with a delicate thread of apple-skin tannin holding everything in balance. At 8% ABV, it’s got the weight to stand up to delicate seafood or carry a celebration and its credentials speak for themselves: British Supreme Champion Reserve at the 2023 British Cider Championships, Gold at the same competition in 2024, and Gold for Best in Class Bottle Fermented Cider at the 2025 Devon County Show. This is proper bottle-fermented cider that happens to be vegan and gluten-free, showcasing the 2022 harvest at its most refined. Well worth trading up for.
Maison SASSY Brut Organic Cider, 75cl, 5%, £5.50, Laithwaites
Maison Sassy’s Brut is a classic Norman cider-making,, Here, 22 apple varieties undergo traditional pressing and natural fermentation before bottling to create a light sparkle without the lengthy secondary fermentation on lees. Made with 100% pure juice with no additives, certified organic and made from fruit grown near Château’s historic forests, this is fresh, and crisp with gentle apple aromatics and an unexpected hint of leather. The simpler production keeps the price accessible and creates an everyday-drinking cider with serious credentials, perfect for aperitifs or pairing with white meats and Normandy cheeses like Camembert.
Crackington Dry, Still Cider, 12 x 500ml, 6.5%, £42 crackingtoncider.co.uk
Crackington’s ciders are just about as stunning as their coastal, Cornish location. Made entirely from Dabinett apples - a vintage, bittersweet variety, their dry still cider has a wine-like quality that sets it apart from the usual crowd. It seems crazy to say it’s very appley but IT IS, followed by a long tannic finish that gives it structure and grip. At 6.5% ABV, it works beautifully anywhere you’d reach for a dry white wine too. They have a wide range of styles that are all vegan and gluten-free and they get extra points for nurturing their wildflowers, birds and bees in the orchard.
Pssst. If you need an epic rental home at Crackington Haven, check out Penkenna House!
Mother Root, 500ml, £24.95 (Was £27.95) Waitrose
Still apple based but with a twist, Mother Root is a modern take on ‘switchel’, i.e. an old-world tonic that’s been quenching thirsts since colonial America, traditionally made from apple cider vinegar, ginger and honey. This revival brings that centuries-old formula into sharp focus to create a wonderfully punchy tipple. Zingy ginger hits first, followed by the bright tang of apple cider vinegar, all smoothed out by the gentle sweetness of blossom honey with a subtle kick of chilli at the finish. It’s bracingly refreshing rather than sweet with a complexity that makes it far more interesting than your average soft drink. The vinegar gives it backbone and bite, while the ginger and chilli create warmth without overwhelming. Serve it ice-cold, topped with soda or sparkling water. It’s the kind of drink that feels both restorative and celebratory, perfect for when you want something with character and depth minus the alcohol to sip slowly. It’s actually stonking for your gut too!
Chance Non-alcoholic Cider, 0.5%, 330ml x 12, £17.60 chancecider.com
Chance ‘Clean’ (meaning non-alcoholic) proves that alcohol-free cider doesn’t need to taste just like apple juice. Made by traditional British cider-makers using quality apples, this is a genuinely well-crafted drink that stands on its own merits. There’s a touch of sweetness, yes, but it’s kept in check by bright acidity and a gentle sparkle that lifts the whole thing. The flavour profile is more layered than you might expect too: crisp apple bite, with bursts of citrus and pineapple playing against subtle woody notes. What impresses me is the structural complexity. This has a lot more going on than simple, sparkling apple juice and it has a genuinely refreshing finish. This is a good drink to get you over that ‘booze o’clock’ hump and it’s delicious to boot.
Need to geek out on cider now? Here’s a great book about it: Modern British Cider Book
Want to know more about ‘other drinks’? See these: