1. Crafty Nectar No.7 – No.7 is a mellow and sparkling cider by Crafty Nectar, the UK’s first craft cider subscription box. Its flavour is thanks to a mix of Dabinett, Harry Masters Jersey, Michelin and Yarlington Mill apples. The winner of the Bronze International Cider Challenge Award, so you don’t have to just take our word that it’s good. View now at Crafty Nectar

2. Aspall Draught Cyder – Named in honour of a forefather’s success at the Imperial Fruit Show in 1921, every year Aspall’s craft a special vintage. Aspall’s Imperial has a richer, more intense apple flavour than many on this list, and a higher ABV, too, at 8.2%. It also has notes of fudge, raisins and prunes, to balance the bittersweet apples. Serve with lamb or strong cheeses such as Brie or Blue Stilton to get the most out of the flavour.

3. Perry’s Cider Grey Heron – Another Somerset cider that deserves to be high up on our list. Grey Heron by Perry’s uses Redstreak and Dabinett apples and has a lovely sweet taste. It’s sparkling and tastes, well, new. This may be because the orchard is a mere five minutes away from the farm.

4. Westons Cider – There is always going to be a fight between Somerset and Hereford for who brews the best cider. Weston’s (Henry Weston to give the full name) is Hereford and proud and has made something of a name for itself as a mass manufacturer of cider. The vintage range is the one that gives our taste buds a real kick. We like the Cloudy Vintage but if you want something a little different, there is a rose version which adds apple blossom to proceedings.

5. Harry’s Cider – This is an absolute joy of a drink. It’s been an award-winner and is just one of the many fantastic cider variants that Somerset-based, family-owned Harry’s makes. They’ve been producing cider for some 15 years now and their dedication to making cider with 100% juice has made their drinks a delight. Our pick is Scrummage, a medium cider that blends the sweet and the sharp fantastically well.

6. Sheppy’s Cider – Sheppy’s are one of the oldest premium craft cider-making families in the UK has been around over 200 years. They still use the same methods today (admittedly with more modern technology) to create their ciders. This cider is made from Dabinett apples grown in Somerset that give it an extra sweetness. It has a slight sparkle and a smoky aftertaste that makes it distinct. If you’re having it with a meal, try pairing it with chicken or pork.

7. Sxollie Cider – Sxollie which roughly translates a scallywag or rascal, only uses 100% apples to make its cider, and the South African company describes itself as having “their roots in rural orchards” but their “heart and soul resides in the city” – modern design for a simple, easy-drinking cider.

8. Sxollie Golden Delicious Apples – This award-winning cider has a distinct ‘prosecco’ flavour thanks to the use of sparkling wine yeasts that give it a tropical fruit note. Made with only 100% Golden Delicious apples, Sxollie is gluten-free and suitable for vegans.

Admittedly you wouldn’t necessarily expect good cider to come from London, but Hawkes went against the country mould and it sure does make a crisp cider. Urban Orchard is “hand-picked in the Capital” and it is a sweet, easy-to-drink cider. It’s also suitable for vegans and coeliacs if that’s something you need to look out for.

Having previously been voted the best sparkling cider in the world, Redstreak had to make the list. It’s an 8.4% single variety cider made from local Somerset Redstreak apples. The Redstreak is a bittersweet apple that makes a cider with a spice apple pie flavour and a rich colour. And, it’s suitable for vegetarians, vegans and coeliacs.