Nothing beats a glass of cider over ice on a hot summer day.   Its sparkling spirit is the ultimate balm when your internal thermometer has heated past its breaking point. Those scorching days may be behind us but that doesn’t mean you still can’t enjoy a glass of the hard stuff.   For anyone who’s never sipped this tasty beverage because they think it’s sweet, 2015 Cider Week NYC will crush that conception.

Kicking off today, an idea whose seed was planted in 2011 has grown to dozens of events across the city this year. If you’re a cider virgin, a good place to start is Applelooza on Lafayette Street where lots of tempting tastes await you. Featuring more than 40 different hard cider and apple spirits, you’re bound to fall for one or two.

Since its hard times during Prohibition when cider apple trees were destroyed, the beverage is having its moment and New York’s Hudson Valley and Catskill regions are a big reason behind it. Farm-made and craft ciders feature large during Cider Week, making for a great way for urbanites to connect with an agricultural movement typically associated with large farm production across the country.

Like beer and wine, cider offers a versatility in flavor which is probably why its gaining popularity as the fastest growing alcoholic beverage. The events taking place around the city bring the orchards to the city’s streets.

Cider Week NYC runs from November 6-15. A great reason to take out the Big Apple’s apples!