Easy Hard Cider Cocktails for Super Bowl & Beyond

Last updated on January 22nd, 2021 at 04:15 am

Sometimes all you really need to enjoy football and the year’s best commercials is a crisp and refreshing hard cider! (Or a few hard cider cocktails!) Step away from the demands of daily life and crack open a cold one. It tastes so good when it hits your lips!

Actually, I’m enjoying one right now as I’m writing this, thanks to the very kind and thoughtful folks over at Blake’s Hard Cider Co. who provided samples for the purpose of my review and Super Bowl Drink recipe concoctions.

And, while Blake’s ciders are awesome right from the can, if you want to doctor your hard ciders up a little, I’m never one to stand in the way of a good time.

In fact, I’ve already got the party started over here just waiting for you! Keep reading for a few fun flavor twists featuring Blake’s Hard Cider for awesome Super Bowl cocktails and mix-ups!

Blake’s Hard Cider History

With the apple trees, cidery, and the tasting room all on the premises, Blake’s Hard Cider hails from Michigan where the original owners, Lovey and Gerald Blake, started the farm back in 1946 with their 13 children!

Since then, the twins Pete and Paul Blake, took over the farm and built it up with new experiences.

Finally, in 2013, Paul’s son Andrew Blake started the cider line after returning from college and after a long tenure of helping the family farm. And what a great idea, because this cider is absolutely delicious!

Blake’s Hard Cider Review & Tasting Notes

I was so excited to receive a variety of Blake’s Hard Cider to taste and mix into hard cider cocktails while writing this post. We received a selection of Core Ciders, Lite Ciders, and Kinder Ciders to try. Thank you, Blake’s!

(While I did receive product at no cost, my opinions are truly my own.)

I particularly love that these ciders contain ONLY authentic ingredients. When I first looked at the label before my first sip, it was so refreshing to see only 100% Apple Cider and Michigan Beet Sugar.

So many products have additives and preservatives – Not Blake’s Hard Cider!

How amazing is that?! I feel healthier already and that is only just the beginning. 

Also of note, Blake’s hard ciders contain almost half of the traditional amount of sugar in hard cider of other leading cider brands. The Lite Ciders only have 1 gram of sugar!

In my eyes, this makes Blake’s Hard Cider a healthier choice, especially when you’re paying attention to the foods and beverages you put into your body.

So far my favorite ciders are the Triple Jam, Flannel Mouth (which almost threw me off by the name – ha!), and the Mimosa.

Mimosa was a nice and relaxing cider that I enjoyed while working on some writing projects the other day. I am saving one for a weekend breakfast sandwich companion!

Beyond the cider ingredients and the taste, I truly appreciate the family farm heritage of this company. *heart eyes*

The Blake family’s hard cider uses natural ingredients they’ve grown on their own land. This reminds me a lot of my dreams of one day having a personal fruit orchard.

Hard Cider Cocktails

Right now I’m sipping on Blake’s Flannel Mouth Classic cider. This classic apple cider style sipper is all-natural, gluten-free, and it contains 6.5% alcohol by volume. It’s delicious!

Before that, though, I enjoyed making my own hard cider cocktail / shot – the Spiced Apple Cider Bomb. This is a pretty subtle drink that tastes great without knocking you down too early in the night.

Spiced Apple Cider Bomb

Truthfully, though, you can mix it any way you like! I recommend 50/50 Blake’s Flannel Mouth and Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey for the shot. A standard shot glass makes it a sweet and subtle shot.

Or choose a double-shot for a more potent punch! Your call!

Here’s my recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 ounce Blake’s Flannel Mouth Classic Cider
• 1/2 ounce Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey

Instructions:

1. Mix together cider and Fireball.
2. Enjoy!

If you’re mixing a hard cider cocktail instead of a shot, fill your glass with Blake’s Flannel Mouth Classic Cider and then top off with a pour of Fireball.

Blake’s Hard Cider Strawberry Kiwi Sangria

I’m a big fan of Sangria and my personal recipe will always be my favorite. However, it’s always a lot of fun and usually very delicious to “sangria” other drinks!

Ingredients:

• 1 can Blake’s Strawberry Kiwi Lite Cider
• Several sliced strawberries
• One whole sliced kiwi
• Triple Sec, optional

Instructions:

1. Pour cold Blake’s Strawberry Kiwi Lite Cider into a glass.
2. Add slices of fresh strawberry and fresh kiwi fruit.
3. Optional: Add a splash of Triple Sec.
4. Sip and enjoy.

Hard Cider Cocktails from the Blake’s Team

In case you’re looking for more ways to enjoy your hard cider, check out these cider drink recipes from Chelsea Cox, marketing director at Blake’s Hard Cider Co.

Blake’s Snakebite Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 6 ounces Flannelmouth
• 6 ounces of Blake’s Brewing Co. Gingerbread Donut Stout (or any light stout)
• ½ oz. of a cinnamon whiskey

Instructions:

1. Pour half the glass full with Blake’s Hard Cider.
2. Pour 6 oz. of Blake’s Gingerbread Donut Stout.
3. Top off with the ½ ounce of cinnamon whiskey.

Cucumber Melon and Gin Splash

Ingredients:

• 1.5 ounces melon simple syrup
• 1.5 ounces gin
• 5-6 ounces Blake’s Lite Cider Melon

Instructions:

1. First, make Melon Simple Syrup:

Melon Simple Syrup Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 cups cantaloupe melon

Melon Simple Syrup Instructions:

1. Bring water and sugar to a simmer until dissolved fully.
2. Cool completely and add the two cups of melon.
3. Blend until completely smooth.

Cucumber Melon and Gin Splash (continued)

1. Add 1.5 ounce simple syrup, 1.5 ounces gin to a glass of ice.
2. Top off with Blakes Lite Cider Melon and garnish with fresh cucumber, melon balls and mint.

More Blake’s Hard Cider to Enjoy

The other day, I fell in love with Blake’s Hard Cider’s Triple Jam (Strawberry, Blackberry, & Raspberry) – which is totally up my alley as I’m huge on berry everything. We actually grow strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries here on our little postage stamp in Pennsylvania and I’m wishing I had a harvest big enough to make something this delicious and meaningful!

Finally, another of the many Blake’s Hard Ciders that I found to be a standout – Saint Chéri.

This cherry hard cider is one of the “Kinder Ciders,” which means the Blake family supports and helps to raise awareness for important causes. The focus of Saint Chéri is supporting Empowerment Plan, a Detroit non-profit that promotes employment to help break the cycle of homelessness. 

I noticed my husband really liked the Saint Chéri cider, as well, and he is generally your beer, craft beer, or scotch guy. A mix of Blake’s Hard Cider would definitely liven up the room or the tailgate!

So many other amazing hard cider flavors are available to appeal to your crew.

Be sure to check out Blake’s core ciders:

• Flannel Mouth Classic Apple Cider
• El Chavo Mango & Habanero
• Beard Bender Dry & Oak Aged
• Grizzly Pear(Pear & Elderflower)
• Rose (Strawberry & Rose Hips)
• Triple Jam (Strawberry, Blackberry & Raspberry)
• Saint Chéri Bourbon Barrel Aged Cherry
• FIDO Hopped Raspberry & Grapefruit
• RAINBOW SEEKER Pineapple & Sage

At just 100 calories, 1 gram of sugar and 4 carbs, Blake’s Lite Ciders are smooth, delicious, and a perfect complement with your football food or other snacks. A refreshing sip of cider makes anything more pleasant, whether it’s relaxing and watching the game or catching up with friends in person or for Zoom game night. So many delicious possibilities!

Blake’s Lite Ciders:

• Apple
• Mimosa
• Melon
• Strawberry Kiwi

Much thanks to Blake’s Hard Cider for allowing me to taste their products! I received samples of Blake’s Hard Cider for the purpose of this article. My opinions are my own. 

Final Thoughts: Hard Cider Cocktails

Where my football wives at? If you need a refreshing change from wine, beer, or White Claw, try some delicious hard cider cocktails you can mix up yourself!

(You might also enjoy our other game day post on Super Bowl Drinks.

Even the guys will love Blake’s Hard Cider – just like my hubs. I am keeping an eye on our outside cooler just to make sure that I don’t miss out on the last Saint Chéri Bourbon Barrel Aged Cherry Cider! 🙂

Making your own hard cider cocktails is fun and easier than you might expect!

Simply think about all the different flavor profiles you can create with other liquors, fruit, and garnishes for a fun spin on a satisfying drink.

Here’s my quick video on how to make these cider cocktails:

I bring you these cider cocktail recipes just in time for the Super Bowl, but you can enjoy them while tailgating or anytime! Football not required.

xo

By the way, we’d love to hear your favorite flavor of Blake’s Hard Cider or your favorite recipes for hard cider cocktails and shots!