With summer winding down, school starting again and the temperatures dropping ever so slightly, you’re likely beginning to itch for fall.
When you’re craving some delicious apple cider, where do you go? Here in New Mexico, we have several cider mills, apple orchards, and fruit farms that feature delicious, locally produced cider that grocery stores just can’t match. The following are seven of our favorites – and they’ll have you longing for fall (if you aren’t already).
The cider at Alary Farm sells fast and can sell out. Be sure to check their website before you head out. They are open Saturday and Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm. They are in Corrales, at 6322 Corrales Road.
The Montoya family has been in the growing business for four generations. On their farm near Velarde, they grow peaches, apricots, cherries and Big Jim chiles, but they specialize in apples and apple cider. Look for them at the Santa Fe and Los Alamos farmers markets.
Made from a blend of sweet and tart apples, the cider from Kerby Orchard is the real deal. It's all natural, with nothing added; just apples. Look for Kerby cider at the Farmington Grower's Market or at the orchard’s sales barn, 5471 US Highway 64 (Bloomfield Highway), in Farmington.
Pick up some apple cider at the Runyan Ranch farm stand, but make sure you look around back. You'll find a fishing pond (with pole rentals, no license required) and a petting zoo that started as a haven for homeless animals. Find Runyan Ranches at 4839 Rio Penasco Road, in Mayhill.
Check Wagner Farms for fresh cider, especially near their Annual Apple & Pumpkin Festival, in October. The Wagner family has been growing in New Mexico for more than 100 years. As well as apples, they grow sweet corn, chile, vine-ripe tomatoes, and pumpkins. They are at 5000 Corrales Road, in Corrales.
Despite the name, Old Apple Barn does not sell apple cider, but they do have fresh, New Mexico cherry cider. Pick some up at their historic emporium, bistro, and bakery in High Rolls at 949 Highway 82 (near Mountain Park).
With a hard apple-growing season and New Mexico's strict laws around apple cider, bringing home a jug might be tough. However, farmers who grow apples and can pasteurize their product can sell at local growers' markets. Check out one near you, or one of these 10 Incredible Farmers Markets In New Mexico.
Do you have a go-to place for apple cider? Do you drink your icy cold or warm, with mulling spices or without? We’d love to hear about your cider traditions in the comments.
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