It’s Cider Float Season
Apple cider can take many forms. Hot or cold, still or carbonated, hard or soft – all of these words can and have been used to describe the drink. And while they can vary in flavor, temperature, fizzy, and alcohol content, these ciders all have one very important thing in common: they all taste really great with ice cream. (I mean they are all apple-based too, but that goes without saying.)
Unlike other women of my color, I don’t care about pumpkin and its spices. I prefer sweet potato pie, and the only seasonal drink I order from Starbucks is mint mocha. I love the pumpkin aesthetic (I have an orange complexion and a round shape), but apple is the autumn flavor I celebrate all season, and cider is essentially apple pie a la mode in glass.
Cider floats, like all floats, are easy to operate. You put a couple of scoops of ice cream in a glass, pour the drink into the same glass and you like it. However, there are some tweaks and modifications you can make to maximize the feeling of falling.
It’s smart
Pressed apple cider can be served cold, but I find bubbles are needed for cold drinks. You have two main options: strong or non-alcoholic. For a sober audience (and kids), Martinelli’s Classic Sparkling Wine is an outstanding two-way float – it has the exact acidity level needed to perfectly balance the richness of vanilla ice cream. If you take the Martinelli route, stick to the original flavor and don’t add anything other than greasy French vanilla (although one could make a case for the custard).
If you want a strong cider, stay in the apple family. Now is not the time for pineapple, raspberry or anything like that. A regular apple is fine, but try some spiced varieties if you can and add anything that contains ginger as an ingredient. Today I caught a can of Baked Apple cider and he gave exactly what he promised. (And while I wouldn’t pick it for my platform, they’re making pumpkin cider right now, and I’ll support your journey if your fall plans dictate it.)
Someone Loves It Hot
If you want something warmer in both taste and temperature, consider pairing hot spiced cider with spiced ice cream, as this clever commentator does for his signature Fallffogato.
You can add grinding spices (cloves, cinnamon, star anise, citrus zest strips) to plain cider, or buy pre-seasoned cider, heat and serve. Applejack is the obvious apple-focused choice, but you can add pear brandy or try a shot of bourbon if you want to soften the fruity flavor.
End this
While the cinnamon stick may look pretty, it actually gets in the way of your drink. Cinnamon powder and freshly grated nutmeg are two classic finishing options for a hot or cold cook, or you can use the Chinese Five Spice , which is a pumpkin mix spice mix , if it wasn’t so cowardly.