Crosby's Kitchen & CocktailThe Colonial

The Colonial is a New England-style cider that originated in the Northeastern colonies over 300 years ago. At the end of apple harvest, barrels of cider were sweetened with brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, or molasses. The added sugar boosted alcohol levels to keep the cider safe from spoiling until the next harvest. Raisins were added as another form of sweetener, as well as a source of yeast and tannin. This drink was made for surviving long winters and forging a “Liberty or Death” mentality. We mimicked this colonial method of cider making by fermenting apple juice and brown sugar. After primary fermentation, we mixed raisins and whole cane sugar to marry in old whiskey barrels for 5 months. The Colonial is a strong, spirituous cider with a woody aroma and flavors of nuts and figs.