The best ciders for the perfect summer BBQ

Written by our friends at Crafty Nectar.

It’s a beautiful summer’s day, the sun is shining, the garden is full of laughter and your mouth is watering with the smell of delicious meat sizzling on the BBQ. All you need now is the perfect summer drink.

But what do you go for to match the food? Wine, right? Well, think again… wine may be the queen of food pairing, but cider is the king.

Cider’s unique versatility and the huge range of styles on offer make it perfect to pair with food, especially juicy BBQ meats. Why not choose a West Country style cider full of tannin, with deep fragrant notes that create a beautiful balance with BBQ meat.

Alternatively, opt for an Eastern Counties style cider, made using dessert apples and bursting with crisp and light flavours. This style is perfect for cutting through rich meats, bringing freshness to any dish and acting as a palate cleanser. You could even match cider with fish and seafood, enhancing the delicate flavours.

At Crafty Nectar (the UK’s no.1 craft cider destination) we offer a huge range of ciders and the possibilities for food pairing are limitless. We take a look at the best ciders to pair with the premium Field & Flower BBQ range this summer.

1) Sassy Rosé Cider (3%)

This is Cidre with a modern twist, made in Normandy from a blend of 20 apple varieties. Its gluten-free, 100% natural and made from apples that were organically grown in Château de Sassy’s orchards, including the pink fleshed Geneva Crab. This creates a delicate pink hue and altogether a stunning rosé cider. Expect flavours of crisp braeburn apple, combined with notes of hedgerow berries and plum.

This versatile off-dry tipple is great served with Field & Flower Paprika & Herb & Salted Chicken, blending perfectly with the flavours of juicy boneless chicken thighs.

2) Crafty Nectar No.7 Craft Cider (5.2%)

The world’s first ‘craft sourced cider’ based on thousands of reviews from Crafty Nectar’s cider community. This stunning high juice craft cider is medium-sweet, well-balanced and made with a blend of apple varieties, including Dabinett, Harry Masters, Yarlington Mill.

This cider has lovely depth and will compliment big, beefy flavours. Try pairing with free-range beef and chorizo burgers for a deliciously meaty feast.

3) Crafty Nectar No.8 Rhubarb Cider (4%)

This award-winning No.8 cider is the real deal! Made using Yorkshire Triangle Rhubarb juice, this well-balanced and zingy fruit cider hits all the right senses. Winner of the International Cider Challenge, we can safely say this is one of the best ciders in the world right now. Gluten-free, vegan and oh so delicious!

The distinct tartness of this cider pairs exceptionally well with Field & Flower’s BBQ range, particularly the jerk pork shoulder steaks. Tender pork and fiery jerk spiced flavours complement the rhubarb and apple base of the No.8 cider perfectly.

4) Nightingale’s Night Bird (4.9%)

Made from 100% Kentish dessert apples and fermented with wild yeast, this cider offers character and complexity, without overpowering food pairings. This fragrant cider is crisp and light, ideal for the warmer days and long summer evenings by the BBQ.

Enjoy with pork belly, the cider will cut through the tender meat and dance in harmony with the flavoursome pork.

5) Gospel Green 2016 Vintage Cyder Brut 75cl (8.4%)

Gospel Green 2016 Vintage Brut is a luxurious fine Cyder produced in Hampshire in accordance with the ‘Methode Champenoise’ technique. The finest Blackmoor Estate apples are double fermented to produce a delicious, sophisticated Cyder – the perfect alternative to prosecco or champagne for fun and frivolous BBQ drinks.

Pair with BBQ sardines or mackerel fillets, the bright, dry zing and acidity of the Cyder will complement the fish wonderfully.

Enjoy a summer filled with fun, great cider and BBQ’s a plenty. Browse the full collection of ciders to pair with the Field & Flower BBQ range here.