Summer is a great time to discover Idaho's craft cider scene! As temperatures rise, patio sippers are seeking the best cider options to enjoy outside, and Idaho’s cider makers are producing exceptional seasonal releases that capture summer in every sip.
What makes Idaho one of the best cider destinations in the Northwest? It comes down to our unique climate, diverse apple varieties, and innovative cider makers. Idaho’s cideries are redefining the summer sipping experience, and there’s no better way to enjoy them than on a sunny patio with good company. Here are seven local cideries serving up the best craft cider for summer.
📍 Taproom: 5242 Chinden Blvd. Garden City, ID 83714
📍 Cider House: 224 N. 9th St. Boise, ID 83702
Meriwether Cider Company is an award-winning, family-owned cidery that has become a staple in Idaho’s wine and cider community. Visit their Taproom in Garden City to experience how their commitment to Idaho-sourced fruit creates craft cider with authentic regional character.
This season, try the Basil Lemonade (6.9% ABV, gluten free), a light, bright cider with a refreshing herbaceous twist that pairs perfectly with sunshine. For something a bit drier and more complex, the Apricot Sage (6.9% ABV) combines juicy, tart apricot with savory sage, delivering a crisp, award-winning pour.
📍7565 Lupine Ln., Ste. D Victor, ID 83455
Highpoint Cider’s taproom is located in the South Central Region where drinkable, small-batch, modern ciders are their specialty. Known for being low in sugar, balanced and refreshing, Highpoint’s craft ciders are made for Idaho’s hot summers.
Their cozy taproom offers a build-your-own charcuterie board menu featuring local cheeses, meats, and fresh fruit; an ideal pairing with a cold glass of their seasonal Alpenglow cider (6% ABV, 7g sugar). This tart raspberry cider is highlighted with hand-picked mint and a splash of fresh-squeezed lime, giving it a flavor profile that drinks like a raspberry mojito. With just the right hint of dryness and freshness, Alpenglow is a warm-weather must-have and was named ‘Best in Show’ at the 2023 Idaho Wine & Cider Competition.
📍20305 HWY 30 Buhl, ID 83316
Cedar Draw Cider’s taproom in South Central Idaho offers visitors a true farm-to-glass experience. Cedar Draw is a nano-cidery run by cider maker and owner Emily Mason, who crafts small batches of cider on site using fresh-picked apples, plums, and pears from her family’s own orchard.
Cedar Draw Cider’s commitment to using local, farm-fresh ingredients produces some of Idaho’s best ciders. Try out their Summer Freckle cider (5.8% ABV), a delightful blend of their favorite summer ingredients like fresh strawberries and hand-squeezed lemon juice that tastes like summer in a glass.
Another seasonal favorite, Blueberry Thai Basil, combines ripe blueberries with fragrant Thai basil for a refreshing twist. Be sure to visit their taproom for the best cider selection and try these seasonal ciders before they’re gone!
📍20023 Hoskins Rd. Caldwell, ID 83607
For cider lovers exploring Idaho’s Western Treasure Valley & Sunnyslope region, Stack Rock Cidery is a must-stop destination. Stack Rock Cidery is an invitation to slow down and savor the full farm experience. Founded by farmer and cider brewer Clay Erskine, Stack Rock pairs traditional farmhouse ciders with a truly local, farm-to-fork meal. Visitors enjoy fresh, hand-raised vegetables, herbs, flowers, and more than 180 heirloom varieties grown right on the farm.
Stack Rock Cider House offers authentic craft ciders alongside a curated selection of wines from nearby Sunnyslope vineyards. On a warm day, there’s nothing quite like sipping their Summer Solstice, a sweet and juicy, cherry-forward cider, while enjoying a freshly prepared meal in the orchard. It’s a true taste of Idaho’s wine and cider country at its best.
📍1327 E Sherman Ave Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Up north in the Coeur d’Alene & Sandpoint region, CDA Cider House has built a reputation for serving up clean classics and some of the best cider varieties in Idaho’s wine and cider scene.
Their laid-back taproom and bottle shop is a favorite stop for locals. Inside, you’ll find 16 taps pouring rotating ciders, cider slushies for a playful summer treat, and a robust selection of over 100 bottled and canned ciders to choose from! The atmosphere is family-friendly and fun, with a spacious patio, games, and a menu of wings, flatbreads, and appetizers that pair perfectly with your pour.
During the summer, CDA Cider House also hosts events like cheese and cider pairings, Yoga & Cider sessions, and Sip & Stretch nights, making it a must-visit while tasting your way through North Idaho’s best cider.
📍 13760 N. Reflection Rd. Rathdrum, ID 83858
Also in North Idaho, High Country Cider specializes in light, easy-drinking ciders containing a lower-than-average alcohol percentage. These are known as “sessionable” because you can enjoy more than one without feeling weighed down! Their ciders are fresh-pressed, unfiltered, sulfite-free, and sweetened only with the best organic ingredients.
For a true taste of Idaho summer, try their Huckleberry cider (5.1% ABV), which highlights the Northwest’s favorite mountain berry in a bright, dry style. Or sip on their Orange Creamsicle (5.1% ABV), a nostalgic blend of vanilla and orange that’s practically made for sunny afternoons. Then, finish off your tasting with their Pineapple Coconut cider (5.1% ABV), a year-round best seller. With fresh-pressed pineapple and organic coconut extract, you’ll feel like you’re on a sandy beach, even on the cloudiest days in Northern Idaho!
📍 805 Schweitzer Plaza Drive Ponderay, ID 83852
Finally, a list of Idaho’s best ciders is incomplete without Summit Cider, Idaho’s first craft cidery! Now part of the Laughing Dog family, Summit’s tasting room is located in the Coeur d’Alene & Sandpoint region. Summit’s small-batch creations continue to earn loyal fans with bright, fruit-forward ciders.
Next time you stop in, order their Sunrise Pineapple (6.3% ABV), a hard apple cider blended with fresh pineapple for a tropical twist that’s both refreshing and easy-drinking. Another seasonal favorite is Blue Bird (6.3% ABV), which combines blueberry and raspberry in a crisp cider that perfectly balances sweet and tart flavors.
Idaho’s cideries are ready to help you make the most of your summer. Whether you’re stopping by a taproom for a tasting flight, lounging on a sunny patio with friends, or pairing your glass with local bites, there’s no better way to experience the state’s wine and cider industry than by visiting these standout spots. So grab your favorite summer crew and taste your way through Idaho’s best craft cider, one sunny cidery at a time.