Enjoying the good weather with Cranes cider

The weather has been amazing over the last few days. May has been a bit of mixed bag. One week the kids were back in coats for the school run and this week I’ve had trouble getting clothes on them! The good weather has meant we’ve been eating a little later and pushed bed times back as no-one can sleep in the hot evenings.

I review a lot of toys and products that my children love but today I’m sharing something I recently discovered and is perfect for hot summer evenings – Cranes cider.

Cranes was developed by identical twin brothers Ben and Dan Ritsema who both enjoy keeping fit and healthy. They were at University a few years ago and like most students they enjoyed socialising, which often involved a drink. Being health conscious they wanted to find an alcoholic drink that wasn’t full of sugar but still tasted great. They would often drink cranberry juice due to its health benefits and that’s when they started thinking ‘what if cranberries were brewed?’ … and that was the beginning of Cranes.

The finest cranberries are brewed alongside apples to deliver a refreshingly crisp cider. This naturally light cranberry cider utilises the sweetness of the fruit, meaning the drinks have 30% fewer calories compared to other brands. There are three delicious flavours in the range: Cranberry & Lime, Blueberry & Apple and Raspberry & Pomegranate.

I love the story behind Cranes and was so happy to try them. Unfortunately I had to share them with my husband! We’re huge fans of fruit cider (although I hasten to add we’re not alcoholics!). We both stopped drinking lager a good few years ago and enjoy exploring all the different varieties which are now available. My husband always chooses the same brand so I was delighted to be able to share these ciders from Cranes with him. They are so delicious and refreshing and the perfect accompaniment for a Summer barbecue. The weather has actually been too hot to sit outside but it didn’t stop us enjoying these with dinner. My favourite is the Raspberry & Pomegranate but I would happily buy any again.

If you’re wondering why the name Cranes? When cranberries were first discovered in America the 17th century they were given the name “craneberries” after the small, pink blossoms which resemble the head and bill of the Sandhill crane.

At the moment you can only order Cranes via their website but I’m sure they will be in leading supermarkets soon. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter to be kept up to date.