But whatever my expectations were, Groove Steady sailed right past them. Each sip revealed a new, exciting element, so much so that a friend called out at one point, 'WaitвЂ¦ it's also spicy?!'ДЄs I passed around the cans, the satisfying pops and fizzes let us know we were in for something sparkling. 6.0% ABV has come to be my sweet spot, substantial but sippable, and that's right where Groove Steady clocks in. Ciders lower in alcohol, say 4.0%, are too watery for me to really enjoy them, but the heavy hitters are so boozy they put up a fight. As lured in as I was by the chicly minimalist branding, my eye zeroed into one part of the can in particular: the alcohol by volume percentage (or ABV.) In my quest for the perfect cider - and perfect beer too, for that matter - ABV has come to be a very helpful guide. I just so happened to try Groove Steady first, the brandвЂ™s limited-edition line released just in time for the holidays - and it was love at first sip.Д¬ider's an all-day beverage, but everything hits better poolside Let's Groove TonightДЄfter getting my first 4-pack of Groove Steady, next I did the only logical thing left to do: invite friends over to share with, then immediately regret not keeping them for myself. With flavors such as Magic Hour (light and golden), Wild Thing (a crisp and aromatic 100% Macintosh), and No New Friends (fermented with cranberries too), there's an Artifact for everyone. Rather than offering one flagship can, Artifact quickly experimented, turning out drinks that are individual, playful, and push the boundaries of what a cider can be. Since every orchard and every season brought different apples to play with, their cider became as tied to terroir as the most exclusive bottles of wine. With the bounty of western Massachusetts as their backyard, the two founders began fermenting the juice from delicious, diverse, heritage apples hand-picked from right around them - a far cry from the Red Delicious we've got in our supermarkets. From Apples To ArtifactДЇounded by Jake Mazar and Soham Bhatt in 2014, Artifact Cider Project grew out of a singular goal: sustaining local orchards. I waited quite a while to find my match in apple heaven.ДЄnd boy did I find it. For months I sipped my way through hopped, sour, and wood-aged varieties, always mildly a fan but never totally convinced. As a beer and wine loyalist, I was determined to see what all the fuss was about. Originally most popular in the UK, over the last few years I've seen cider pop up in almost every liquor store, bar and dinner table in town.

The fermented cousin of those juicier beverages, dry cider drinks much closer to a beer, but with a lightness and spice all its own.

Or, if you're craving something crisp and refreshing, why not pop open a dry cider? Children as precocious as I was can pour a flute of Martinelli's and pretend to be sipping champagne. You've got the mulled variety, just begging to be warmed up with cinnamon. Our editorial team is independent and only endorses products we believe in. If you purchase through our links, we may receive a commission.

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Artifact cider