Ice Cider

Ice cider is a sweet, smooth, and liqueur-like cider that is only found in Quebec.

Indeed, extreme winter temperatures are necessary for its production! It is obtained through cryoextraction or cryoconcentration. It is a rare and exceptional product because it takes no less than 50 apples (or 5 kilos) to make a single 375ml bottle of ice cider!

There are as many differences between Ice Cider and Breton Cider as there are kilometers between Quebec and Brittany...

What is Ice Cider?

Ice cider, originating from Canada, is a sweet alcoholic beverage made from fresh apple juice that is concentrated through a natural freezing process, often outdoors in winter in cold regions. Ice cider is highly appreciated for its rich and complex taste, combining fruity sweetness with a vibrant acidity, as well as for its rarity and artisanal production process.

How is Ice Cider produced?

Ice cider is produced from apples left on the tree until late autumn, or even early winter for some producers. The apples are then pressed to extract the juice, which is fermented to produce raw cider.

Then, the concentration process begins. The cider is placed in special vats and subjected to a natural freezing process for several weeks, often outdoors in winter in cold regions. The water in the cider freezes, leaving a more sweet and dense juice concentration. The juice is then extracted from the ice and fermented again to produce a sweet alcoholic beverage called ice cider.

The production process of ice cider is complex and can vary among producers, but most agree that it's the long maturation time of the apples on the tree and the concentration process through ice that give ice cider its unique taste and characteristic sweetness.

What can the taste of ice cider be compared to?

The taste of ice cider is unique and difficult to compare to other drinks. However, it is often described as sweet and fruity, with a vibrant acidity and a rich, complex flavor. Some compare it to ice wine, which is also produced by a similar concentration process, but ice cider often has a more fruity and less sweet flavor than ice wine. Others compare its taste to that of apple compote, but with a higher alcohol content.

What are the differences between our various ice ciders?

Just like wines where different grape varieties are blended to create distinct vintages, there are many varieties of apples that allow the creation of unique and distinct ice ciders. Our best-selling ice cider is Neige.