# 5 New York Ciders For Holiday Drinking

> Top cider maker picks five New York ciders perfect for Thanksgiving and holiday parties.
- Title: 5 New York Ciders For Holiday Drinking · Maxim | Shortify
- Summary: Top cider maker picks five New York ciders perfect for Thanksgiving and holiday parties.
- Keywords: new york cider, holiday drinks, thanksgiving, crab juice, free association, string theory, sparkling perry, pommeau, pét-nat cider, apple cider, Maxim
- Source: Maxim — https://maxim.com/food-drink/5-new-york-ciders-to-drink-this-holiday-season-according-to-a-top-cider-maker
- Published: 2026-11-12T11:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: new york cider, holiday drinks, thanksgiving, crab juice, free association, string theory, sparkling perry, pommeau, pét-nat cider, apple cider
## Holiday Cider Options
New York cider ranks among the nation's best due to upstate orchards' distinctive acidity.
## Ryan Burk's Background
Ryan Burk is founder of Hudson Valley's Occam Cider, cidermaker at Brooklyn's Red Hook Cidery, and president of The Cider Institute.
## Crab Juice Cider
Crab Juice is a tart sparkling cider made from 400-plus crab apple varieties, 8.4% ABV, and recommended first at Thanksgiving.

> There’s so many ciders I love, and I try to think about each one being very different. This is a traditional method, sparkling cider that’s made with 400 crab apples.
## Free Association Cider
Free Association is a pét-nat cider with 8.3% ABV, made from three apples, and recommended with sausages and cheeseburgers.

> It’s got the acidity to cut through cheese on top of that burger.
## String Theory Cider
String Theory is a fuller, richer cider with 7.3% ABV, recommended with Cabot Clothbound cheddar cheese.

> For me, I wanna eat cheddar cheese with this. And not just any cheddar cheese. I want Cabot Clothbound from Vermont, it’s the best cheddar in America.
## Sparkling Perry Cider
Sparkling Perry is a naturally sparkling pear cider with 8% ABV, recommended for Thanksgiving turkey.

> I think this is the cider for the turkey.
## Pommeau Cider
Pommeau is a sweet apéritif with 23% ABV, made from five apple varieties, and recommended with cheesecake.

> I’m a very simple man when it comes to dessert: I either want cheese, or I want cheesecake.
## Key takeaway

Ryan Burk recommends five New York ciders for holiday drinking: Crab Juice, Free Association, String Theory, Sparkling Perry, and Pommeau.