Did you know that earl grey tea is one of the most popular teas in the world? The tea is named after Earl Charles Grey, the British prime minister during the early 1830s. The categorization “earl grey” traditionally applied to black teas that contained oil of bergamot to flavor the tea. However, the category has grown to include green tea, white tea, and rooibos bases along with different added ingredients, like vanilla, lavender, orange peels, and jasmine.  

We began making Earl Grey cider in [year]. The idea came to us when [ ]. Although tea and cider may not be the first combination that comes to mind, it immediately became a fan favorite.  

We partnered with local business, Short and Stout Tea Lounge, to get the most important ingredient, second only to apples, the earl grey tea. The blend from Short and Stout turned out to be the perfect complement to apples. With the added tart from being aged on lemon, we created a hit.

Our public relations partner, Relentless Awareness, has been nominated for a 2022 Capital Region MARCOM Award in the video category. We partnered with Relentless Awareness to create a video that showcased our private campfire offerings at our downtown Albany tasting room.  

We put a request out on Facebook to recruit volunteers to come enjoy the campfire and be featured in the video. Relentless Awareness was able to shoot the video in one evening, giving it continuity and truly showcasing what a private campfire would be like at Nine Pin. We all had a blast with the production and were able to get some great candid film – including a flaming marshmallow!

Interested in learning more about the MARCOM Awards or attending the awards ceremony? Head to the Capital Region MARCOM Awards website.

Check the video out!

Capital Region farm cidery Nine Pin is expanding its business and opening a new cannery in downtown Albany.

Nine Pin has been crafting hard cider using locally sourced apples and fruits for a decade. Alejandro del Peral, an Albany resident, founded the company after college using apples grown on his small family farm.

The new facility is located in a former vacant building in the warehouse district and was built with a National Grid Main Street Revitalization grant. Co-founder Sonya del Peral, Alejandro’s mother, said the new cannery helps improve the company’s workplace efficiency.

“The cider that we packaged here supports main street revitalization efforts throughout the state of New York, where our cider is sold in other tasting rooms and bars and restaurants and mom and pop liquor stores that are part of downtown redevelopment. So, with this expansion, we've increased our production capacity for the premium ciders that the Nine Pin brand represents.”

The new 7,000-square foot facility brings Nine Pin’s total footprint in Albany to about 24,000 square feet. It will process about 32,000 12-inch slim cans per day.

Albany County Executive Dan McCoy said it’s important step toward revitalizing an area once known for its manufacturing that has been rejuvenated in recent years.

“It’s not possible without partnerships.”

Several major projects were announced this summer to bring businesses and hundreds of new apartments to the area.

“It shows what you can do, how you can revitalize a neighborhood like this warehouse district, but it’s not possible without partnerships.”

The Democrat noted the Albany County Legislature Monday approved a resolution to allocate $30,000 to create wayfinding signs promoting craft breweries, wineries and cideries along the Albany County Beverage Trail.

Mayor Kathy Sheehan noted before fellow Democrat Kathy Hochul became governor, Nine Pin was one of the first ribbon cutting ceremonies the then-lieutenant governor attended.

After the ribbon cutting ceremony there was a tour. Alejandro del Peral said the facility creates about 45 cans per minute, or 3,000 gallons of cider per day.

“On a wholesale level, we make our signature cider, our ginger cider and four seasonal can cider. On a retail level at our tasting room on Broadway, we make hundreds of different types of ciders every single year.”

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All of these products are available in our tasting room at our 929 Broadway Albany location, as well as online at ninepincider.com.

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The Nine Pin Sweater Selection:  For everyone.

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Keep your friends and family nice and cozy this holiday season in one of our Nine Pin sweaters.  Sometimes less is more, and our new black crew neck sweater, featuring a simple faux leather patch, is our softest sweater yet.  Or, you can spice things up with our ‘Drink NY Apples’ zip-up hoodie while enjoying a can of our seasonal Apple Pie-Secco.

Available in XS – XXL

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The Cider Gift Box:  For the cider lover.

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Give the cider lover in your life a gift box of three different Nine Pin flavors.  Make a mix of your own, or ask our staff to curate a gift box that will give your loved ones the perfect taste of Nine Pin.

Pro tip:  Make sure to add our holiday favorites, Cranberry and Blueberry Peach Cobbler, into the mix!

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The Nine Pin Beanie Bunch:  For those crisp, winter days.

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Warm up your loved ones with our two new Nine Pin beanies!  Standout in all that winter grey with our bright and vivid safety green beanie, or go for something festive with our new holiday pom pom knit beanies.

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The Nine Pin Koozie Collection:  For the can crusher.

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Keep those cans of cider cold and crisp with our collection of Nine Pin koozies!  Try out our popular Signature and Apple Pie-Secco koozie designs, or our new holiday themed sweater koozie.  These make for great stocking stuffers!

Pro tip:  Keep your noggin just as warm as your cider is cold with a gift bundle of our pom pom knit beanie and matching sweater koozie.

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The Nine Pin Enamel Pin Set – For those who need “more flair”!

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Let's talk about your flair.  Does your employer require you to wear 15 pieces of flair, and you need to meet expectations?  Or are you looking to be an overachiever and hit that 37-piece goal post?  Nine Pin has got you covered with our new set of four unique enamel pins.  This holiday season, help your friends, family, and co-workers increase that flair count by four.

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The Nine Pin Dog Pack:  For our four-legged best friends!

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Who has been the best boy or girl this year?  Give your pup something special this year from the Nine Pin Dog Pack.  You can have them dressing in new threads with our yappy bandanas; take them for a walk with our brand-new apple patterned dog leash (coming soon); or gift them a Signature can chew toy to play ruff with.

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The Nine Pin Cider Syrup 375 mL Bottle:  For the foodie.

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Crafted from the same great New York apples that make our cider, this incredible culinary ingredient will bring that tart apple flavor to amazing cocktails, cooked greens, savory brines, and thick juicy glazes.

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The Nine Pin Camping Mug:  For the outdoor lover.

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Pack a bag and hit the woods—but don’t forget our light-weight yet sturdy metal camping mug!  These are perfect for your early morning coffee or a cider cocktail or two during those overnight camping trips.  Not into the outdoors?  That’s okay, these mugs are for you too!  Laugh at your friends as they are getting bug bit and exposed to the elements, while you stay tucked indoors and enjoy a mug of hot tea or cider.

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The Nine Pin Candle Bundle – For those long, winter nights.

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Hygge is a Danish word that describes a mood of coziness and "comfortable conviviality" with feelings of wellness and contentment.  Experience hygge yourself and light up the room with our full collection of Nine Pin candles.  These beautiful scents will pair well with a glass of cider while you cozy up with your family this holiday season.

Nine Pin Ciderworks, New York’s first farm cidery, announced it has donated more than $2,000 to OutHudson, the Columbia County-based non-profit focused on improving the quality of life for LGBTQ+ individuals and to advance visibility within the county. Nine Pin partnered with its N.Y./N.J. distributor Remarkable Liquids on this effort.

Proceeds were raised by the sale of limited edition 12 oz. cans wrapped with Nine Pin’s 2022 interpretation of the Pride flag. Nine Pin has released a different variation of its Pride can for the past four years, and through its promotion, Nine Pin has raised over $6,000 for OutHudson.

The donation will directly support organizing a variety of educational as well as social LGBTQ+ events. These events include discussion groups, youth/teen support groups, drag brunches, movie screenings, community town halls, educational workshops, HIV/ AIDS programming and more.

“Nine Pin sources the lion’s share of the apples we use for our cider from Columbia County and I am proud to have grown up there. It’s not only fitting but an honor to support OutHudson and their incredible work for the LGBTQ+ community right in our backyard,” said Alejandro del Peral, co-founder and cidermaker, Nine Pin Cider.

"Each year, thePride can release continues to show just how much good can be done by not only celebrating the LGTBQ+ community, but actively working to support their visibility and well-being,” said Spencer Noakes, general manager, Remarkable Liquids. “We're incredibly proud to join our friends at Nine Pin Cider in taking action and supporting OutHudson."

“I am beyond grateful for Nine Pin’s many years of dedicated support for Columbia County's longest running Pride celebration, said O Zotique, executive director, OutHudson. “Partnerships like these allow us to further the visibility and quality of life for those in the LGBTQ+ community.”

For more information about Nine Pin Cider, please visit ninepincider.com

A local cidery is giving back to the LGBTQ plus community tonight.

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Nine Pin Cider teamed up with Remarkable Liquids to donate more than $2,000 to OutHudson, a Columbia County-based non-profit.

(Beacon, NY, October 5, 2022) – Cider Week New York 2022 is halfway through but there is still much more to experience! With just a few days left to celebrate, Cider Week New York runs through this Sunday, October 9th. There are celebrations in every region of the great Empire State which means cider lovers and explorers are never more than a few miles from a fall Cider Week New York adventure. Produced by the New York Cider Association and featuring 34 cideries across the great Empire State, events include tastings, pairings, ciderfests, moonlight cider releases, cider passports, cider tap takeovers, farmers markets, orchard tours, dinners, talks with cider makers, apple sessions, and more! To make plans, visit the calendar of events at ciderweeknewyork.com and then map out a trail by using the new, interactive New York Cider Finder Map launched especially for Cider Week New York 2022. For more Cider Week news, info, and all things New York Cider, be sure to follow @NewYorkCider on Instagram.

"1911 Established Hard Cider is proud to once again be a Cider Week New York Presenting Sponsor! As a NYS family-owned farm, fresh and hard cider producer, and expert in all things apples, we are excited to be able to contribute to this year's celebrations. Educating the experienced and also the novice cider lovers remains a top priority for us at 1911, and we love to share this fun and rewarding space with so many other incredible brands,” says Eddie Brennan, President and Co-owner, 1911 Established, Beak & Skiff Orchards.

“A celebration of the last year and a moment that marks the start of harvest, Cider Week New York showcases all the flavors, styles and innovative ciders that are proudly made in New York State. Within this showcase, we celebrate the world-class ciders, passionate growers, and all the cider traditions that New York brings to makers and drinkers alike,” says Joe Gaynor, Head Cidermaker at Angry Orchard.

Experience the fall in New York State as it’s meant to be experienced by joining in on a Cider Week New York celebration! Event highlights across the state for the rest of the week include:

FINGER LAKES
South Hill Cider and Friends Cider Fest & Market
Celebrate Cider Week and taste cider from New York cidermakers! Listen to live music, fill up on great food and sample the ferments of some of the best New York cideries including Black Diamond, New York Cider Company, Redbyrd Orchard Cider, Metal House, Lake Drum Brewing, Grisamore Cider Works, Red Hammer Orchard & Cider Co. & more!

CAPITAL DISTRICT
Little Apple Cidery CiderFest
It's Little Apple Cidery's annual cider celebration with music (Roe Jan Bluegrass Band), food (ALOHA Taco Truck), new hard cider release (Baldwin), organic fresh cider and apple cider donuts (Great Cape Baking Co), barrel rolling contest, raffle, cider making demonstration, and an orchard walk!

CATSKILLS
Seminary Hill Orchard & Cidery tastings during the Callicoon Artwalk
Seminary Hill will be pouring tastes and glasses of cider at the Callicoon Art Walk: showcasing the growing art and music scene in the picturesque hamlet of Callicoon on the Delaware.

HUDSON VALLEY
Hudson Valley Farmhouse Cider Moonlit Cider Release Dinner
A special cider release dinner at Stone Ridge Orchard under the full Hunter Moon. Dinner will be hosted by Award-winning farmer & cider master Elizabeth Ryan, founder of Hudson Valley Farmhouse Cider.

NEW YORK CITY
CiderFest NYC
Celebrate Cider Week New York in style by sampling hard cider and snacks at Food Karma’s annual CiderFeast event. Tastings from over twenty cidermakers from New York State and beyond. An NYC Cider Week event not to be missed!

WESTERN NEW YORK
Blue Barn Cidery CiderFest
Join us for our 5th annual CiderFest at Blue Barn Cidery. We will be celebrating all things cider and featuring the release of a special 5th Anniversary edition cider!

Capital Region participating cideries include:
Nine Pin Ciderworks and Little Apple Cidery

Catskills Region participating cideries include:
Lindner's Cider and Seminary Hill Orchard & Cidery

Western New York Region participating cideries include:
Clarksburg Cider, Rootstock Ciderworks and Steampunk Cider

Long Island Region participating cidery includes:
Wolffer Estate Vineyard

Finger Lakes Region participating cideries include:
1911 Established Hard Cider, Blue Barn Cidery, Black Diamond Farm & Cider, Eve's Cidery, Finger Lakes Cider House, Grisamore Cider Works, Kelloggsville Farm Cidery, Lake Drum Brewery, New York Cider Company, Redbyrd Orchard Cider, Small Pockets Farm, and South Hill Cider.

Hudson Valley Region participating cideries include:
Angry Orchard Cider House, Brooklyn Cider House, Doc’s Hard Ciders, Graft Cider, Hudson North Cider Co., Hudson Valley Farmhouse Cider, Merchant's Daughter Cider, Naked Flock Hard Cider, Orchard Hill Cider Mill, Original Sin Cider, Pennings Farm Cidery, Rockland Cider Works and Treasury Cider at Fishkill Farms

Cider Week New York has been celebrated for over ten years and is produced by the New York Cider Association. Directly tied to New York’s agricultural cash crop of apples, hard cider production in New York has seen an unprecedented growth explosion of 2400%+ over the past ten years and now has a $1.7 billion total economic impact to the NY state economy. With over 120 producers making over 5 million gallons of cider every year, New York continues to rank first in the country for the number of hard cider producers and second for apple growers. For more information, visit www.ciderweeknewyork.com.

Did you catch the Rachel Ray show on Tuesday? She makes a delicious recipe for Boneless Pork Chops or Chicken Breasts "a la Mode" (with Sweet Cream Sauce). Guess what?! She makes it with her favorite cider (Nine Pin!) Check out the recipe below.

Nine Pin Ciderworks, New York’s first farm cidery, announced the return of their Apple Pie-Secco cider just in time for the fall. Crafted from apples from Samascott Orchards in Kinderhook, N.Y., Apple Pie-Secco symbolizes life’s simple joys, with explosions of apple flavor and autumnal aromas.

“We especially enjoy crafting our seasonal ciders,” said Alejandro del Peral, co-founder and cidermaker. “Being able to offer a crisp, refreshing cider that ties into the tastes and smells of the season is both challenging and rewarding.”

Apple Pie-Secco cider is currently available in 12 oz. cans and on draught in Nine Pin’s tasting room in Albany as well through retailers throughout New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. Residents in other states can purchase Apple Pie-Secco through Nine Pin’s online store.

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Article by Shelby Rosenberg from the Albany Business Review

Did you know that earl grey tea is one of the most popular teas in the world? The tea is named after Earl Charles Grey, the British prime minister during the early 1830s. The categorization “earl grey” traditionally applied to black teas that contained oil of bergamot to flavor the tea. However, the category has grown to include green tea, white tea, and rooibos bases along with different added ingredients, like vanilla, lavender, orange peels, and jasmine.  

We began making Earl Grey cider in [year]. The idea came to us when [ ]. Although tea and cider may not be the first combination that comes to mind, it immediately became a fan favorite.  

We partnered with local business, Short and Stout Tea Lounge, to get the most important ingredient, second only to apples, the earl grey tea. The blend from Short and Stout turned out to be the perfect complement to apples. With the added tart from being aged on lemon, we created a hit.

Our public relations partner, Relentless Awareness, has been nominated for a 2022 Capital Region MARCOM Award in the video category. We partnered with Relentless Awareness to create a video that showcased our private campfire offerings at our downtown Albany tasting room.  

We put a request out on Facebook to recruit volunteers to come enjoy the campfire and be featured in the video. Relentless Awareness was able to shoot the video in one evening, giving it continuity and truly showcasing what a private campfire would be like at Nine Pin. We all had a blast with the production and were able to get some great candid film – including a flaming marshmallow!

Interested in learning more about the MARCOM Awards or attending the awards ceremony? Head to the Capital Region MARCOM Awards website.

Check the video out!

Capital Region farm cidery Nine Pin is expanding its business and opening a new cannery in downtown Albany.

Nine Pin has been crafting hard cider using locally sourced apples and fruits for a decade. Alejandro del Peral, an Albany resident, founded the company after college using apples grown on his small family farm.

The new facility is located in a former vacant building in the warehouse district and was built with a National Grid Main Street Revitalization grant. Co-founder Sonya del Peral, Alejandro’s mother, said the new cannery helps improve the company’s workplace efficiency.

“The cider that we packaged here supports main street revitalization efforts throughout the state of New York, where our cider is sold in other tasting rooms and bars and restaurants and mom and pop liquor stores that are part of downtown redevelopment. So, with this expansion, we've increased our production capacity for the premium ciders that the Nine Pin brand represents.”

The new 7,000-square foot facility brings Nine Pin’s total footprint in Albany to about 24,000 square feet. It will process about 32,000 12-inch slim cans per day.

Albany County Executive Dan McCoy said it’s important step toward revitalizing an area once known for its manufacturing that has been rejuvenated in recent years.

“It’s not possible without partnerships.”

Several major projects were announced this summer to bring businesses and hundreds of new apartments to the area.

“It shows what you can do, how you can revitalize a neighborhood like this warehouse district, but it’s not possible without partnerships.”

The Democrat noted the Albany County Legislature Monday approved a resolution to allocate $30,000 to create wayfinding signs promoting craft breweries, wineries and cideries along the Albany County Beverage Trail.

Mayor Kathy Sheehan noted before fellow Democrat Kathy Hochul became governor, Nine Pin was one of the first ribbon cutting ceremonies the then-lieutenant governor attended.

After the ribbon cutting ceremony there was a tour. Alejandro del Peral said the facility creates about 45 cans per minute, or 3,000 gallons of cider per day.

“On a wholesale level, we make our signature cider, our ginger cider and four seasonal can cider. On a retail level at our tasting room on Broadway, we make hundreds of different types of ciders every single year.”

A local cidery is giving back to the LGBTQ plus community tonight.

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Nine Pin Cider teamed up with Remarkable Liquids to donate more than $2,000 to OutHudson, a Columbia County-based non-profit.

Nine Pin Ciderworks, New York’s first farm cidery, announced the return of their Apple Pie-Secco cider just in time for the fall. Crafted from apples from Samascott Orchards in Kinderhook, N.Y., Apple Pie-Secco symbolizes life’s simple joys, with explosions of apple flavor and autumnal aromas.

“We especially enjoy crafting our seasonal ciders,” said Alejandro del Peral, co-founder and cidermaker. “Being able to offer a crisp, refreshing cider that ties into the tastes and smells of the season is both challenging and rewarding.”

Apple Pie-Secco cider is currently available in 12 oz. cans and on draught in Nine Pin’s tasting room in Albany as well through retailers throughout New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. Residents in other states can purchase Apple Pie-Secco through Nine Pin’s online store.

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Article by Shelby Rosenberg from the Albany Business Review

ALBANY, N.Y. (July 15, 2022) – Nine Pin Ciderworks, New York’s first farm cidery, will be featured at all Saratoga Race Course dining locations this summer, including the Taste NY Pavilion and the Nine Pin Can Stand. Nine Pin’s cider will be available for purchase each day of the Saratoga meet, Wednesdays through Sundays, in addition to Labor Day. The Taste NY Pavilion at the track, which features food and beverages produced exclusively in New York State, is open every Thursday through Sunday.

Nine Pin is among a distinguished group of other New York State beverages served at the Saratoga Race Course this summer. Attendees at the track now can support local agriculture, as Nine Pin’s cider uses a blend of apples sourced in the Capital Region from Samascott Orchards in Kinderhook, N.Y.

“Nine Pin Cider is thrilled to be among the world class New York State farm sector beverages served at the Saratoga Race Course this summer,” said Sonya del Peral, co-founder and general manager. “Nine Pin Cider bears the New York State Grown and Certified Seal and cider enthusiasts at the track now have the opportunity to support New York agriculture, knowing that Nine Pin’s bright, crisp, refreshing, premium craft cider is proudly made in Albany from local New York apples.”

“Nine Pin Cider really appreciates the opportunity to be featured among the New York craft ciders, beers, wines and spirits at the Saratoga Race Course this summer,” said Alejandro del Peral, co-founder and cidermaker. “We look forward to highlighting the quality of New York agriculture to track attendees through our various refreshing ciders made 100 percent from New York apples!”

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Fans at Saratoga Race Course this summer will have the opportunity to enjoy a host of New York craft beers, hard cider, wines, spirits and foods at the Taste NY Pavilion each Thursday through Sunday beginning Opening Day, Thursday, July 14.

Located inside Gate A, at the Top of the Stretch, the Taste NY Pavilion will feature samples and sales of homegrown craft beverages from Brooklyn to the Adirondacks, Saratoga to Cooperstown as a showcase of the state’s robust food and beverages industry. The Pavilion will be open from noon until 5 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and from noon until 4 p.m. on Sundays.

“New York is home to so many fantastic food and beverage producers who take great pride in crafting unique, local offerings while supporting New York agriculture,” said State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball. “Thanks to this partnership with Saratoga Race Course, dozens of our craft beverage and food businesses will have the opportunity to showcase their products in the Taste NY Pavilion and throughout the track, gaining major exposure for their brand and bringing the very best of New York to the more than one million fans who visit the track every season.”

In a veritable tour of products produced across the Empire State, the Taste NY Pavilion will feature offerings of Brooklyn Brewery, Great Jones Distilling Co. and Brotherhood Winery from New York City and the Hudson Valley; Frog Alley Brewing Co. and Nine Pin Cider Works from the Capital Region; Druthers Brewing Company, Pick Six Vodka and Old Tavern Farm Winery from Saratoga County; Bolton Landing Brewing Company, Common Roots Brewing Company, Northway Brewing Co. and Paradox Brewery from the North Country and Adirondacks; and Cooperstown Distillery from historic Cooperstown in Central New York.

“Brotherhood Winery, America's oldest continuously operating winery, is proud to participate at the Saratoga Race Course, the oldest continuously operating sports venue in North America, and be part of this year's racing season,” said Brotherhood Winery Vice President Philip Dunsmore. “It is a great honor for Brotherhood Winery to be presented with this partnership with Saratoga Race Course, and also is a great opportunity for locals and tourists to taste Brotherhood's highly awarded and prestigious Riesling, produced with the best grapes grown in New York State.”

Brotherhood Winery will offer samples of its Riesling in addition to its I LOVE NY Red, which is the only wine licensed in New York State to feature the iconic I LOVE NY logo. Select participating partners, including Cooperstown Distillery and Pick Six Vodka, will offer complimentary samples each weekend (Friday-Sunday).

“This is a great opportunity for small businesses to play in an arena with the big brands,” said Saratoga Courage Distillery Owner and CEO Holly Shishik. “This is a great opportunity for us and other New York craft producers to share our handmade spirits with locals and visitors. Our flagship product Pick Six Vodka’s name and label were inspired by the legendary historic racecourse so there’s no better venue for us to be in.”

Pick Six Vodka is also the title sponsor of the Pick Six Vodka Picnic Paddock this summer where fans can reserve picnic tables that each accommodate up to six guests. The Pick Six Picnic Paddock is located in the backyard adjacent to the Saratoga paddock. Reserved tables may be purchased at NYRA.com.

In addition to the Taste NY Pavilion, Cooperstown Distillery will be featured at the Cooperstown Clubhouse Bar located on the second floor of Saratoga Race Course. Fans can try a number of Cooperstown cocktails including the Cooperstown Select Bourbon Old Fashioned, Cooperstown Select Rye Manhattan, Saratoga Revolutionary Rum Runner, Saratoga Victory Vodka Lemonade, Saratoga Victory Vodka Bloody Mary and Fenimore Gin Fizz.

“As one of a select number of New York craft manufacturers, Cooperstown Distillery is extremely proud to extend its reach this summer at Saratoga Race Course,” said Cooperstown Distillery founder Gene Marra. “Cooperstown and the Cooperstown Distillery have a long tradition of authenticity, honoring excellence and sports history. As a producer of artisanal craft spirits locally sourced from New York state grains, and given our recently opened Saratoga storefront, we welcome the opportunity to partner with Saratoga Race Course and other regional producers to highlight our nationally award-winning spirits to sports enthusiasts throughout the Capital Region.”

Adjacent to the Cooperstown Clubhouse Bar is the all-new Drink Upstate Craft Beer Bar which will feature craft beer from Schenectady’s Frog Alley Brewing Co., Common Roots Brewing Company in Glens Falls, Bolton Landing Brewing Company in Bolton Landing, North Hudson’s Paradox Brewery and Northway Brewing Co. in Queensbury.

Druthers Brewing Company and Nine Pin Cider Works will each be featured nearby the Saratoga Walk of Fame.

“Nine Pin Cider is thrilled to be among the world class New York State farm sector beverages served at the Saratoga Race Course this summer,” said Nine Pin Co-Founder and General Manager Sonya del Peral. “Nine Pin Cider bears the NYS Grown & Certified Seal and cider enthusiasts at the track now have the opportunity to support New York agriculture, knowing that Nine Pin’s bright, crisp, refreshing, premium craft cider is proudly made in Albany from local New York apples.”

In addition to the Taste NY Pavilion, Great Jones will be featured at the historic Jim Dandy Bar. Great Jones Straight Bourbon, crafted from ingredients grown in the legendary Black Dirt region of Warwick Valley, NY, operates the first whiskey distillery in Manhattan since Prohibition. Fans at Saratoga will be able to enjoy a variety of cocktails at the Jim Dandy Bar, including Great Jones Lemonade, Great Jones Old Fashioned and Great Jones Manhattan Mule.

Finally, fans can also enjoy Saratoga County-based Old Tavern Farm Winery and its signature Rosé which will be available in most restaurants and dining locations on track.

“Old Tavern Farm Winery is thrilled and honored to have our Rosé featured on the dining menu at one of the world’s greatest sporting venues,” said Old Tavern Farm Winery owner Nicole Borisenok. “We are appreciative for the opportunity as a small business to showcase our local product to a national audience. We look forward to having locals and tourists enjoy a product that is made on our farm in Saratoga County, less than five miles from the front doors of Saratoga Race Course.”

In addition to beverages, the Taste NY Pavilion will also present a variety of New York-made foods. Saratoga Chocolate Co. can be found at the Pavilion every Thursday through Sunday of the meet, and Saratoga Olive Oil Co. and Caliva Cookie Co., based in Saratoga County, can be found at the Pavilion every Thursday.

The 40-day summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course will feature 77 stakes worth $22.6 million in total purses highlighted by the 153rd renewal of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers on August 27 and the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on August 6, as the anchors of two of the most prestigious racing days in North America.

Following the four-day Runhappy Opening Weekend from Thursday, July 14 through Sunday, July 17, racing will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, apart from the final week, when the meet will conclude on Labor Day.

For additional information about Saratoga Race Course, visit NYRA.com.

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ALBANY, N.Y. – Nine Pin Ciderworks, New York’s first farm cidery, releases its newest seasonal cider style, Lavender Lemonade, just in time for the summer solstice. The cider is a refreshing twist on Nine Pin’s classic farmhouse blend of apples, infused with culinary lavender and a finishing touch of lemon juice.

To craft this cider, Nine Pin uses 100 percent New York apples from Samascott Orchards in Kinderhook, N.Y., and unique, culinary grade lavender sourced locally from Lavenlair Farms in Whitehall, N.Y. The cider is then topped off with lemon juice, resulting in a floral cider with a crisp and refreshing finish.

“We really enjoy having the opportunity to work with local growers such as Lavenlair Farms to create custom, one of kind ciders like Lavender Lemonade,” said Alejandro del Peral, co-founder and cidermaker. “The cider has a bright, citrusy, refreshing flavor that’s perfect for the summer months.”

“We are excited to continue our partnership with Nine Pin,” said Diane Allen, owner of Lavenlair Farms. “This partnership allows us to bring the taste of farm-grown lavender to cider lovers everywhere."

Lavender Lemonade Cider is currently available in 12 oz. cans in Nine Pin’s tasting room in Albany as well through retailers throughout New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Jersey. Residents in other states can purchase Lavender Lemonade Cider through Nine Pin’s online store.

ALBANY, N.Y. (May 27, 2022) – Nine Pin Ciderworks, New York’s first farm cidery, announces the return of their limited-edition Pride cans with a portion of proceeds to be donated to Columbia County-based OutHudson – the fourth consecutive year that the Albany-based cidery and OutHudson have collaborated. Nine Pin’s New York State distributor, Remarkable Liquids, will also contribute a portion of their Pride can sales to the cause.

Nine Pin shows its full support of the LGBTQIA+ community with the release of these limited-edition Pride cans. The limited release features an annually updated Pride Flag design proudly wrapped around a specially labelled 12 oz. Nine Pin Signature Cider can.

“Nine Pin is truly looking forward to celebrating Pride month with OutHudson again and we appreciate the work that the LGBTQIA+ community puts into fighting for visibility and equality in society,” said Alejandro del Peral, co-founder and head cidermaker, Nine Pin Ciderworks. “Our partnership with OutHudson supports the beauty and diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community in our agricultural backyard.”

“We are truly grateful to organizations like Nine Pin that support us in our mission to create a safe and supportive space for the LBTQIA+ community,” said Osun Zotique, executive director of OutHudson. “Nine Pin’s vibrant rainbow can and their financial support are wonderful examples of how to spread the message of visibility and acceptance to the public.”

In commemoration and celebration, Nine Pin will be participating in the following events:

· Pride Can Release Night on Wednesday, June 1 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Nine Pin’s Albany Tasting Room (929 Broadway, Albany). The release night will also feature live music provided by Ryan Leddick, as well as snacks, including a limited supply of Pride doughnuts made available by Cider Belly doughnuts.

Media Contact: Joe Bonilla Communications joe@relentlessaware.com 518.813.4905

· Hudson Pride Parade, from noon to 3 p.m. beginning at Public Square on Warren Street, Hudson, Saturday, June 4, The Nine Pin Mobile Bar will be among many other floats.

· Schenectady Pride Parade on Saturday, June 4 from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Gateway Park.

· Pride Brunch on Saturday, June 11 in Nine Pin’s Albany Tasting Room, featuring Typhoid Mary. Doors open at 11 a.m. and the event will begin at noon.

· Treat Your Self with Jacob Alejandro – Pride Conchas on Saturday, June 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Nine Pin’s Albany Tasting Room.

OutHudson’s mission is to improve the quality of life and advance the visibility of LGBTQ people in Columbia County. The donation will help organize various social and educational LGBTQ events such as movie screenings, intergenerational programming, potlucks, discussion groups, youth/teen support groups, drag brunches, author/poetry readings, Drag Queen Story Time, community town halls, educational workshops, and HIV/AIDS programming.

Pride Cans will be available for sale at Nine Pin’s tasting room located at 929 Broadway in Albany and at participating retailers in the Capital Region. The cider will be available in 12 oz. four-packs and has an ABV of 6.7 percent.

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Welcome to the eighth episode of PUT CIDER IN IT!

We have had the pleasure of working with Rob and Alicia from Upstate Cookie Shack since they busted onto the Upstate New York scene the past few years.

They have featured their delicious cookies at numerous cider pairings in the tasting room, but we have never tried baking their incredible cookies with Nine Pin...

Let's see what happens when we Put Cider In It!

Stay tuned for a recipe so you can make this delicious creation at home.

Tune in for final PUT CIDER IN IT episode of season 1 with Tipsy Moose Tavern on Wednesday, January !

Welcome to the seventh episode of PUT CIDER IN IT!

This past summer, we teamed up with Chef Ric Orlando to create our Signature Cider BBQ Sauce and our Ginger Cider BBQ Sauce.

We have been dying to create some dishes with Chef Ric with these new sauces...

Let's see what happens when we Put Cider In It as well!

Here are the recipes:

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Signature BBQ Chicken and Waffles

Chicken and waffles to me always needs something to pull the dish together.

In this dish the creamy goat cheese and tangy Signature BBQ sauce take a basic dish to the sublime level!

Serves 2

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Ingredients:

- 4 belgian waffles, toasted

- 1 cup milk

- ½ cup Nine Pin Signature Cider

- 8-10 chicken tenders or breast strips

- 1 cup flour, or rice flour for gluten free version

- 2 tbls Ric Orlando’s BEST Q-RUB BBQ seasoning *

- 2 tsp salt

- Safflower or other vegetable oil for frying

- ½ cup goat cheese

- Ric Orlando’s Signature BBQ sauce as desired

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Directions:

- Cut the chicken into strips.

- Mix the flour, salt and QRUB seasoning in a separate bowl

- Put the strips in a bow with the milk, QRub Seasoning and cider and allow to marinate for at least 20 minutes or up to two hours.

- In a heavy skillet heat enough oil to come up about ½ inch in the pan until just shimmering, to about 340 degrees.

- Dredge each chicken piece in the flour mix and carefully lay into the hot oil.

- Cook until golden brown on all sides, about 5-6 minutes.

- Drain on paper towels and keep warm.

- Put two waffles on each plate.

- Top with crumble goat cheese.

- Lay the hot chicken pieces over the waffles.

- Drizzle on the Signature BBQ Sauce. Don't be shy!

Recipe by Ric Orlando

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Ginger Cider BBQ Clams:

This is an amazing pear round dish, and with a hunk of bread and a crisp salad, it makes an easy and delish one pot dinner.

Look for smallish Littleneck clams for this.

Serves 2

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Ingredients:

- 16-24 littleneck clams, scrubbed under cold water

- 3 tbsp olive oil

- 4 oz Andouille or other spicy sausage, sliced into rings

- 1 medium sweet or red onion, diced

- 1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced medium, to yield about 1 ½ cups

- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, about one sprig

- 8 oz Nine Pin ginger cider

-  3-4 oz Ric Orlando's Ginger BBQ Sauce

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Directions:

- In a heavy pan or pot with a snug fitting lid heat the oil over medium high heat.

- Add the sausage and onions and cook until shiny.

- Add the diced sweet potatoes and sauté over medium heat, stirring occasionally until almost tender

- Turn the heat to high. Add the thyme and the cider and cover.

- Let The clams steam about 4-5 minutes or until they have all pepped open.

- Swirl in the Ginger BBQ sauce and serve in bowls.

Recipe by Ric Orlando

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Try other amazing Nine Pin BBQ dishes this Friday, December 10 at 5 p.m. at our Nine Pin Cider Sauce Pop Up with Ric Orlando - December!

Tune in for our next PUT CIDER IN IT with Upstate Cookie Shack on Wednesday, December 22!

Welcome to the sixth episode of PUT CIDER IN IT!

For years, we have worked with our close friends, fin - your fishmonger, having them over for seafood pop ups at the cidery. Josh decided to stop over to their storefront in Guilderland for a change and see if the fin team had anything special cooking. Isabel was preparing some AMAZING fish and chips...

Let's see what happens when we Put Cider In It!

Want to make these Nine Pin Cider-Battered Cod home?

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Ingredients

- (4) 6oz fresh Icelandic cod fillets

- 1 cup all-purpose flour

- ¾ cup rice flour plus extra for dusting

- 1 teaspoon baking powder

- 1½ Cans Nine Pin hard cider

-  1 teaspoon white sugar

- Salt to taste

- Lemon wedges and chopped parsley for garnish

- Enough canola oil to fry each fillet

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Directions

✓ In a large bowl, mix both flours, baking powder and sugar.

✓ Add cider and salt and mix until batter binds together and is smooth. Don’t over mix!

✓ Dust with extra flour until completely covered.

✓ Heat a sauté pan of oil to 350F (oil should be high enough in the pan to fry one side at a time.) Use a thermometer to check for temp OR dip the end of a wooden spoon into the oil – if it bubbles, it’s ready!

✓ Dunk fish into batter and place carefully into hot oil…SLOWLY!

✓ Cook on each side for 4 – 5 minutes. You may have to cook fillet one at a time.

✓ Once completely golden brown and delicious, remove from sauté pan and place on paper towels to soak up the excess oil.

✓ Garnish with lemon wedges and parsley.

✓ Enjoy!

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Tune in for our next PUT CIDER IN IT with Ric Orlando on Wednesday, November 24!

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Welcome to the fifth episode of PUT CIDER IN IT!

Recently, we added some delicious homemade Lidia's Empanadas onto the menu in our tasting room. Josh wanted to head over to Lidia's kitchen and see where the magic happens! To Josh's surprise, Lidia was not cooking her famous empanadas today...she was baking flan!

Let's see what happens when we Put Cider In It!

Want to make this Apple Pie-Secco Flan at home? Here are the ingredients and directions:

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This recipe created a dozen small flans

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Ingredients for custard

6 large eggs

1 can condensed milk

1 can evaporated milk

1 tablespoon of vanilla

Ingredients for New York Apple mix

2 chopped New York apples

1 can of Nine Pin Apple Pie-Secco Cider

2 tablespoons of apple spice mix

Ingredients for Caramel

3 cups of white granulated sugar

1 sliced New York apple

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Directions for baking

- Preheat oven to 350°F

- In a blender mix all the custard ingredients and set aside

- On medium heat place 3 cups of sugar in a non stick pan. Let the sugar sit without moving it under medium heat. Once you see some of the sugar liquify and turn brown keep mixing until all the sugar has dissolved and turn brown. At this point the Carmel sauce will be very very hot.

- The next step you will have to do fairly quickly or else the Carmel will harden

- Pour hot Carmel into the small ramekins and swirl it around so to coats the ramekin. Then place apple slices in the bottom before Carmel hardens, then set them aside.

- On medium high heat placed chopped apples, apple spice mix and a can of Nine Pin Cider in a sauce pan and cook until mixture has thickened.

- Set aside and cool.

- Once cooled mix apple/cider mixture with custard mixture together and place the mixture into ramekin.

- Cover each ramekin with aluminum foil separately.

- Cook in the water bath, also called bain-marie, for about 60-70 minutes. Check one ramekin after 60 minutes by looking under the foil. It should jiggle when moving like jelly or pudding. Don't overbake. Check back every few minutes if not done after 60 minutes.

- Then remove from the water bath and let cool to room temperature. Afterward, refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

- After chilling and before serving, run a knife around the sides where the flan is connected to the ramekins. Then place a plate on top and flip over the plate. Then slightly shake the ramekin that the flan is falling on the plate. Watch the video above to see how I did it.

- The sugar syrup will run over the flan.

Try this AMAZING flan and all of Lidia's famous empanadas at our Pins and Empanadas Pop up on Saturday, November 20.

You can also try Lidia's Empanadas seven days a week now in the Nine Pin Tasting Room!‍

Tune in for our next PUT CIDER IN IT with fin - your fishmonger on Wednesday, November 24!

Welcome to PUT CIDER IN IT Episode 4 - Halloween Edition!

In this spooky fourth episode, Josh travels to our friends in Albany: Stacks Espresso Bar.

Josh popped over to see Sue and talk about the upcoming Stacks Seasonal Showcase: Autumn this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m at 488 Broadway in Albany.

At the event, there will be special Nine Pin Cider and coffee pour-over tastings, a seasonal marketplace pop-up by Make It Upstate, and insider tricks for treats by Chef Sue Dunckle from Stacks!

Sue will be showcasing an incredible Pork Normandy this Saturday...let's see what happens when we Put Cider In It!

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Recipe for the Nine Pin Pork Normandy:

Place pork slices between plastic wrap. Using mallet, pound pork slices to 1/4-inch thickness. (Can be prepared 4 hours ahead. Cover tightly and refrigerate.)

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in another heavy large skillet over high heat. Season pork with salt , turmeric, and pepper. Add pork to skillet and sauté until just cooked through, about 2 minutes per side.

Add shallots , apples, cranberries , walnuts and thyme and sauté 2 minutes. Add  Nine Pin and honey and simmer until reduced to glaze, scraping up any browned bits, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Arrange a few pork slices on each plate. Spoon sauce over. Top generously with sautéed apple slices and serve!

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Want to try this Nine Pin Pork Normandy first hand? Come out to the Stacks Seasonal Showcase this Saturday, October 30! See the full details on https://www.ninepincider.com/tasting-room.

Next Put Cider In It episode will be released on Wednesday, November 10 with Lidia's Empanadas!

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Welcome to PUT CIDER IN IT Episode 3!

In this third episode, Josh travels to our friends in Stuyvesant Plaza: PRIMAL: Your Local Butcher.

Josh met up with Andy to see if he was working on anything special to do with all of his local meats.

Andy was crafting an amazing brine for his locally sourced pork tenderloin...let's see what happens when we Put Cider In It!

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Nine Pin Brine:

- 3 cups Nine Pin Cider

- 2 cups Water

- 1 cup Apple Cider Vinegar

- 1/4 cup Salt

- 1/4 cup Worcestershire

- 1 TBL Garlic Powder

- 1 TBL Onion Powder

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Recipe for 2 pork tenderloins:

- Let Pork Tenderloins sit, fully immersed in the brine for at least 24 hours. Smoke at 250F, until internal temp of 145F is achieved (approximately 2 hours) or cook in oven at 350F to reach temp. (Approximately 35 min)

- Cooking times are an approximate guideline only. Always keep a watchful eye on the internal temp, as ovens and smokers can vary greatly.

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Want to try local meats cooked from Primal with this Nine Pin Cider brine first hand? Come to our upcoming pop up with Primal on Wednesday, October 20! See the full details and menu on https://www.ninepincider.com/tasting-room.

Next Put Cider In It episode will be released on Wednesday, October 27 with Stacks Espresso Bar!

Welcome to PUT CIDER IN IT Episode 2!

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In this second episode, we travel to Troy, NY to hang out with our old tasting room cider slinger, Jake, and his husband, Alejandro, at their new coffee shop, Jacob-Alejandro.  

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Jake and Alejandro were working on a delicious cheesecake...let's see what happens when we Put Cider In It!

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Stay until the end to see some good Great British Baking Show humor!!!

Here is the recipe for you to try at home:

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Nine Pin Strawberry Cheesecake Glaze with Fresh Strawberry & Basil

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For 1, 6” cheesecake

Ingredients:

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For the Strawberries & Basil:

1/2 lb Fresh Strawberries, sliced

5 leaves Fresh Basil, chopped

2 tbsp White Sugar

2 tbsp Nine Pin Strawberry Cider

For the Strawberry Glaze:

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1 each 6” Prepared Cheesecake

1 lb Fresh Strawberries

1 cup White Sugar

8 oz  Nine Pin Strawberry Cider

1/2 pkg Gelatin powder

Whipped Cream

Method

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1) Prepare the strawberries & basil ahead to let the flavors blend.  Combine sliced strawberries with chopped basil, sugar and Nine Pin Strawberry Cider. Toss with a fork and let rest for 30 minutes in the fridge.

2) Meanwhile, prepare the glaze:  Quarter 1/2 of the strawberries and combine with sugar and cider and bring to a boil

2) Bloom the gelatin in cold water.

3) Once the strawberry mix is at a boil, remove from heat and stir in bloomed gelatin.  Let cool until warm.

4) Blend cooked strawberries in a blender, should be pretty runny and let cool to almost room temp.

4) Slice the remaining 1/2 of strawberries and fan over top of cheesecake.  Pour glaze over strawberries and over the side of the cheesecake.

5) Topped with whipped cream and fresh strawberry and basil mix.

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Next Put Cider In It comes out Wednesday, October 13 with Primal!

Over the past 8 years, Nine Pin has produced high quality craft ciders using 100% New York apples and fruit. We have experimented with all the different fruits, hops, teas, etc. that can be put in our New York hard ciders. But one question remained... What can we put our cider in?!

Through this video series, we will talk with some of the Capital Regions most talented chefs, bartenders, bakers, and beyond to see all the amazing ways Nine Pin's Cider can be used in their creations.

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In this first episode, we went out to our neighbor across the street, Lost and Found, to speak with Jesse and learn about his amazing Blackberry Margarita Slushy he has been working on. Let's see what happens when we Put Cider In It!

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Want to make this delicious Nine Pin Blackberry Margarita at home? Here is how you can PUT CIDER IN IT:

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"Nine Pin BlackBerry Ciderita"

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- 1 oz Tequila
- 1/2 oz Triple Sec
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 4-6 fresh blackberry’s
- Nine Pin Signature Cider

Muddle blackberry’s and simple syrup together. Add tequila, triple sec and lime juice and shake with ice. Strain over fresh ice in a tall glass and top with Nine Pin Signature Cider.