Chance Clean: The Alcohol-Free Cider Making Waves in the UK – Exclusive Interview

There is something beautiful about that cider moment. Sat in the sunshine in the garden, in the park with a picnic, on the beach listening to the sea go in and out or at the top of a hill following a hike - a Summer cider is just perfect. 

For August's JOMO Club Box, we showcased a relatively new launch for you but boy are they making waves already! We speak with the masterminds behind CHANCE to hear what they are all about and why we should be taking a CHANCE on cider this Summer. 

Q: Welcome for the first time to JOMO’s Summer box! Can we start with an introduction to CHANCE and the drink in front of us today?

Thanks for including us in this month’s box. We couldn’t have picked a better month because well - cider is summer and summer is cider. CHANCE is a non-alcoholic apple cider, made using the best British apples chosen by traditional Worcestershire cidermakers. It’s not too dry, best served chilled and perfect for the apple cider lover seeking a non-alc option. Cider aside, it’s got that light sparkle making it a refreshing choice for everyone, whether you’re drinking alcohol or not.

Q: You say you are the UK’s first dedicated clean cider. What is a clean cider exactly?

It’s not just a buzzword! We’re very aware that clean gets thrown around a lot with that push for “clean living”. When we say clean cider, we’re letting drinkers know that CHANCE is a real apple cider that’s non-alcoholic - no syrupy sugar bombs and no hangovers. It’s made for everyone to enjoy, naturally gluten-free, low-alcohol and vegan. And it’s choosing a clear head - whether you’re drinking alcohol or not. In other words, it’s the chance for everyone to enjoy more and compromise less!

Q: When talking about non-alcoholic cider, we are sometimes faced with ‘isn’t that just apple juice? We know that isn’t the case, so can you tell us about that. What is the process and craft like to create CHANCE?

We make CHANCE with the great folks at Aston Manor, who produce some of the UK’s best-known cider brands. They know what they’re doing. Picking and fermenting the best picks from the British apple triangle is a big part of it, the tradition. The innovation comes in perfecting a cider that’s 0.5% ABV and still nails the mouthfeel and flavour profile of alcoholic cider. There’s some debate in the cider world on using concentrate vs. fresh apple juice. We use both! The fresh apple juice is used to blend, replacing what we lose when “liquoring down” the ABV.

Q: What is your perfect way and setting to enjoy today’s cider?

If mates are free, get them round and in that garden. If it’s a solo moment, I’m winding down in the sun with a good book or film after a solid day at work.

Q: You use the finest variety of British apples. What is the impact on apple quality to the end result of the drink in front of us today and was it important to you to keep these British?

Supporting British farmers is hugely important to us, we’ve chosen to source only from the famous English Apple Triangle. It makes commercial, economic and environmental sense. When it comes to flavour, the choice of apple is key in our efforts to avoid being too dry or overly bitter. We’ve chosen classic cider apples like Dabinett and Fiona to give CHANCE a signature, refreshing taste. 

Q: Have you ever created a cider cocktail?

We whipped up a Mulled Cider over the winter that really warmed the cockles! This summer (our first summer!), we’ve been enjoying watching the likes of Camille Vidal and other mindful drinking experts using CHANCE in their cocktails. That said, you can’t beat an extra cold CHANCE straight from the fridge on a cold day.

Q: What is your ‘staying present’ handbook - three top tips to keeping you present? 

1. Making feel-good choices - the right company and environment that help you sink comfortably into every moment. It’s not possible all the time, but when you can, surround yourself. 

2. Drink it all in - leaning into the moment by getting super curious about what’s going on around you.

3. Taking a CHANCE - there’s nothing more grounding than indulging in delicious tastes. Quenching a thirst on a hot day with a chilled CHANCE Cider is the refreshingly present moment that we live for.

Want to buy Chance again?

You can buy directly through their website chancecider.com or on Amazon. Also keep an eye out for their listings in various bars and restaurants across the UK.