The leaves are falling and the air has turned crisp, so the days are in need of a drinkable pick-me-up. What to do? Caffeine is always a solid option, or, if you have time, a good ‘ole nap will do the trick … but, what about something a little more seasonal? Three words: hot apple cider.
The time has come to change things up from your usual Starbucks or Dunkin’ latte and explore the many layers of this underrated seasonal beverage. Beware, the cider days are limited, so give thanks to the cold weather by appreciating all of the apple cider now being served. These four local places are bound to bring you apple cider bliss; enjoy the changing seasons and the colors of the leaves all while sipping on warm, apple excellence.
Close to campus at 12 Westland Ave., Oakleaf Cakes Bake Shop offers all of the espresso beverages your heart desires, as well as gorgeous desserts that you can enjoy while studying. Stop by to grab something to-go or get a table to finish that paper we all know needs to get done. Don’t worry, you won’t be drinking your average apple juice: brought from a local Boston farm, Oakleaf’s apple cider is deep in cinnamon flavor and kept heated all day. Oakleaf has also been serving handmade pumpkin spiced pop-tarts and fall-flavored cupcakes and cookies. A perfect pair of beverage and snack is in your future.
Red Apple Farm has opened up an itsy-bitsy cafe at Boston Public Market (BPM), located at 100 Hanover St. in the Downtown/North End area of Boston. They are now featuring the dynamic duo of mulled apple cider along with apple cider doughnuts. Made through a longer steeping process with mixed spices and apples, this mulled cider will have you feeling all the warm, fall feels. Pro tip: Get to BPM right when it opens — the doughnuts will be incredibly fresh and still a little warm. Not drowned in oil or feeling heavy, the apple cider doughnut has a nice, slightly crunchy exterior and cinnamon sugar coating, but it is still ultra soft and pillowy inside.
If you’re feeling extra adventurous and want to see where all of the magic really happens, the farm is located at 455 Highland Ave. in Phillipston, Mass. They offer pick-your-own fruit bags, educational tours, walking trails, and more. Grab your coat, beanie, and scarf, and enjoy a fun outing at the farm.
L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates is located at 220 Clarendon St. between the bustling streets of Newbury and Boylston. It may not be where you would expect to sit back, relax, and enjoy sweet cider on a cold Boston day, but it is actually the perfect place to do just that. Not only do they offer apple cider — they offer two types. The traditional cider is sourced with local apples and stewed until perfection; their mulled apple cider is steeped with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to intensify the fall flavors. Beyond the ciders, L.A. Burdick offers chocolates in all shapes and sizes, with different percentages of cocoa, and in different forms: truffles, drinking chocolate, whole bars, in fresh desserts, etc. If you have some time, or happen to be near the Boston Public Library, take in the magic of a chocolate shop that is blessing Boston with coveted fall favorites.
Bonus feature: Blackbird Doughnuts has multiple locations, two of which are conveniently close to campus in the neighboring South End and Fenway areas. Doughnuts have been making an apparent comeback as a trendy treat. Now offered with crazy toppings, complex flavor combinations, inside milkshakes, and as the bun for savory sandwiches (just to name a few), sometimes you just want a simple doughnut. For something sweet and simple, yet still satisfying, Blackbird has you covered. Be sure to get to a location early because they do sell out. Along with their signatures, Blackbird is now featuring fun fall flavors: cranberry cobbler, pumpkin cheesecake, autumn spice, and, of course apple cider! With their traditional autumn spice cake doughnut batter as the base and rolled with cinnamon sugar, the apple cider doughnut provides a needed punch of spice with just the right amount of sweetness to make you smile with sugar-coated lips.
Not to mention, for the doughnut-eating-and-seeking-vegans out there, Blackbird has created an apple cider vegan-friendly sweet treat so you can enjoy their seasonal sweets too.