ciderlike

Ciderlike is an English adjective used to describe something that resembles cider in aroma, flavor, or appearance. It is commonly applied to beverages that carry apple-derived characteristics but are not traditional apple cider, such as certain craft beers with cider-inspired notes or perry blends, as well as wines and spirits with noticeable apple facets. The term can also describe non-beverage products that evoke cider, such as scented candles or foods featuring apple-forward aromas.

In tasting notes, ciderlike denotes a profile that includes apple-derived aromas—such as fresh apple, pear, or orchard fruit—often accompanied by crisp acidity, light to moderate sweetness, and sometimes fermentative notes like breadiness or gentle yeast character. It implies resemblance rather than identity with cider, and it may signal a particular balance of fruitiness and acidity rather than a specific production method.

Etymology and usage: The word is formed from cider plus the suffix -like. It appears in culinary and beverage criticism to signal resemblance, and is distinct from terms that denote actual cider or cidery flavors. When used, it often points to an apple-forward character even if the product is not cider itself.

See also: cider, cidery, apple flavor, fermentation.