Drink of the Week: Blake’s Hard Cider Saint Chéri

Looking for an alternative to the many indulgent holiday beverages on offer recently, I wanted something brighter than a beer but lighter than a glass of wine or cocktail. I found the perfect Goldilocks pour with the new Blake’s Hard Cider Co. Saint Chéri bourbon barrel-aged cherry cider. The cider is the newest release from Blake’s Kinder Cider series, which donates a portion of proceeds to a chosen charity. For the third year running, Blake’s has partnered with Empowerment Plan, a Detroit nonprofit that employs people dealing with homelessness to help manufacture a convertible sleeping bag jacket, which is then distributed to others in need.

The Saint Chéri is made with an addition of Michigan-grown Montmorency cherries and local apples from the cidery’s home state. The sweet-tart flavor of cherries pops at the forefront of the semisweet cider, while the barrel aging lends a hint of vanilla and light tannic structure that keeps the nearly 7-percent cider from becoming cloying. Bright, crisp, and aromatic, the limited-edition Saint Chéri makes a welcome addition to any holiday table. $10/6-pack, blakeshardcider.com