Capriccio Craft Cider 750ML

Capriccio Craft Cider 750ML is a fruit-forward hard cider made from seven heirloom apple varieties, bottled at 12.5% ABV in a 750ml format. What distinguishes this cider from most of the commercial category is its notably high alcohol content — more than double the strength of many mainstream ciders — achieved through fermentation with a proprietary yeast strain developed by its producer.

Quick Facts: ABV: 12.5%  |  Origin: Auburndale, Florida, USA  |  Style: Sweet Hard Cider  |  Producer: Florida Caribbean Distillers, LLC

Production & Heritage

Capriccio Craft Cider is produced by Florida Caribbean Distillers, LLC, a beverage company based in Auburndale, Florida. The cider is made from a blend of seven heirloom apple varieties: Granny Smith, Fuji, Royal Gala, Pink Lady, Braeburn, Red Spur, and Red King Oregon. The apples are traditionally mulled and clarified before undergoing fermentation with a proprietary yeast, which drives the ABV to a wine-strength 12.5% — a significant departure from the 4–6% range typical of most commercial hard ciders. The result sits in an unusual space between cider and fruit wine, with a body and sweetness that reflect both categories.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh apple skin and ripe orchard fruit dominate on the nose. Underlying notes of honeyed sweetness and a faint floral lift from the mixed apple varieties come through as the cider opens up.

Taste: The entry is immediately sweet and fruit-driven, with Fuji and Royal Gala apple character leading the way. At mid-palate, the Granny Smith acidity provides a modest counterbalance, while the higher alcohol adds unexpected weight and warmth. The overall impression trends sweet, landing closer to a dessert cider or light fruit wine than a dry English-style cider.

Finish: The finish carries a lingering sweetness reminiscent of a semi-sweet red wine, with residual apple flavor that persists for several seconds. Light carbonation lifts the ending and keeps it from becoming cloying.

How to Drink Capriccio Cider

Serve well-chilled, straight from the bottle or poured into a wine glass to let the apple aromatics open up. The high ABV and residual sweetness make it a versatile mixer as well. A Cider Sangria works naturally here — the wine-like body holds up to sliced citrus and stone fruit. A Cider Mimosa makes a brunch alternative, substituting this for sparkling wine with a splash of orange juice. A Spiced Cider Mule — combining Capriccio with ginger beer and a cinnamon stick — plays off the orchard fruit character and adds a warming seasonal dimension.

Best For

• Casual gatherings where guests prefer sweeter, fruit-forward drinks over beer or dry wine
• Warm-weather outdoor entertaining as a chilled, high-ABV alternative to wine
• Introducing cider-curious drinkers to a bolder, wine-strength expression
• Brunch pairings and daytime social occasions where a lighter pour with real impact is wanted

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Capriccio Cider taste like? Capriccio Cider is predominantly sweet and fruit-forward, with ripe apple flavor, light carbonation, and a finish that many drinkers liken to a semi-sweet red wine. The blend of seven apple types adds moderate complexity, though sweetness remains the defining characteristic.

How does Capriccio Cider compare to Angry Orchard Crisp Apple? Capriccio's 12.5% ABV is roughly two-and-a-half times stronger than Angry Orchard Crisp Apple, which sits at approximately 5% ABV. Capriccio also reads sweeter and more wine-like in body, while Angry Orchard leans crisper, lighter, and more conventionally carbonated.

Is Capriccio Cider good for beginners? Its pronounced sweetness and approachable fruit flavor make it accessible for drinkers new to hard cider, though the 12.5% ABV means it should be sipped with more caution than a standard-strength cider.

Where is Capriccio Cider made? Capriccio Craft Cider is produced by Florida Caribbean Distillers, LLC, located in Auburndale, Florida, in the central part of the state.

What foods pair well with Capriccio Cider? Sharp cheddar cheese complements the apple sweetness with a savory counterpoint. Roasted pork tenderloin echoes the classic pork-and-apple pairing. A Waldorf salad mirrors the orchard-fruit character. Vanilla bean cheesecake aligns with the cider's dessert-like sweetness. Spiced nuts bring a warming contrast to the chilled, fruit-driven profile.

What sizes does Capriccio Cider come in? The standard format is a 750ml bottle, consistent with its wine-style positioning and higher ABV.

Is Capriccio Cider worth the price? Capriccio positions as a value-tier craft cider with wine-level alcohol content, which gives it an unusual cost-per-ABV advantage over most mainstream ciders and many entry-level wines in the same price range.

Why Capriccio Cider?

The seven-apple heirloom blend and proprietary yeast fermentation set Capriccio apart from single-variety and concentrate-based ciders that dominate the commercial market. At 12.5% ABV, it occupies a rare niche — strong enough to stand in for wine at the table, yet retaining the fruit-forward accessibility that draws people to cider in the first place. The mulling and clarification steps in production contribute a cleaner, more polished texture than many peers. For drinkers who find conventional hard ciders too light and dry wines too austere, Capriccio fills a genuine gap.