The UK's Best Selling Alcohol-Free Cider | Thatchers Zero

Interview with JOMO Club X Thatchers Zero.

The best-selling alcohol-free cider in the UK made a splash in JOMO Club's Spring Box - Thatchers Zero. Crisp, complex and everything Spring is about.

Q: We are excited to welcome you to the JOMO family for the first time ever! Welcome. We doubt you need an introduction, but for those that don’t know, can we start with an introduction to Thatchers?

Down on the Thatchers family farm in Somerset, we’re all slightly obsessed perfectionists, making cider with nothing but love. That’s why we don’t just grow 8 types of apples, we grow 458, and turning those juicy apples into a refreshing pint of cider is a craft we’ve spent 120 years and four generations perfecting. It’s our dedicated attention to detail that delivers the perfect pint of Thatchers, every time. The Thatcher family’s passion for quality has led to an unrivalled range of premium ciders. Using their expert knowledge and 100% green electricity, we craft innovative ciders that are full of flavour and distinct character, including flagship brands Thatchers Gold, Thatchers Haze and the one we’ll be trying today, Thatchers Zero. And because we always have sustainability at heart too, you can enjoy every sip knowing your cider is as good for the environment as it tastes in the glass. And because we always have sustainability at heart too, you can enjoy every sip knowing your cider is as good for the environment as it tastes in the glass.

Q: Can you tell us about Thatchers Zero? What can we expect?

Thatchers Zero is a medium dry, crisp low/no alcohol cider. It’s made using a blend of apple varieties, including Dabinett and Somerset Redstreak for body, and modern varieties like Three Counties & Hastings for smoothness

It’s then fermented, just like all our other ciders, for a full, deep flavour, bright, golden appearance and a fruity aroma.

Q: You are the number one non-alc cider in the UK. What do you think sets you above the others? 

Thatchers Zero is given the same dedicated care and consideration as we’re famous for giving all our ciders. Perfection can’t be hurried, so we spent two years crafting and perfecting the recipe for Zero, ensuring it was full of flavour and delivered all the depth and satisfaction you’d expect from a Thatchers. We applied our 120 years of cider making expertise to this drink and we believe it’s that dedicated attention to detail, and constant strive for perfection, that sets Thatchers Zero apart from other ciders.

Q: For those that say, ‘isn’t alcohol-free cider just apple juice’, can you tell us why this isn’t the case and the process in creating a great alcohol-free cider?

As soon as you try it, you’ll know! Thatchers Zero is blended, crafted and fermented just like all our other ciders, giving it a well-rounded, full-bodied taste. It has all the refreshment and satisfaction you’d expect from Thatchers Cider, just none of the alcohol.

Q: Why is Somerset the perfect muse for Thatchers Cider?

We’ve been making cider here for over 120 years, but it’s a centuries old tradition in this part of the world. Cider is integral to our Somerset heritage, so much so that in days gone by farmers would demand cider as part of their wages! Somerset has rich, fertile soil and a mild climate which is perfectly suited to apple growing. Added to that you have all the magic and myth the area is famous for, combined with expert knowledge and a commitment to sustainability that ensures Somerset is the perfect home for perfectly crafted ciders

Q: You have an alcoholic range and your zero% cider. What interesting trends have you seen on both sides?

Gone are the days when low and no alcohol drinks were just a January trend. At our pub, The Railway Inn, Thatchers Zero is a best-seller year-round. As habits change, people now expect to find good quality alcohol free options at any time. We are also seeing more people choose to moderate their drinking and their expectations are rightly high when it comes to quality. That demand, mixed with the satisfying flavour of Thatchers Zero, has seen it double in sales over the last year.

Q: What is your perfect Thatchers Zero occasion, setting and way to enjoy it?

We think Zero is a great cider for any occasion. After work with friends, enjoyed with food, or that perfect post-effort pint.

Q: Have you ever created a cocktail using Thatchers?

Absolutely, we love a cider cocktail! A great one to make with Thatchers Zero is the Apple Fall, made with a teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar, 10ml Ginger Juice, 15ml Lemon Juice, 15ml Maple Syrup and then top up with a generous pouring of Thatchers Zero for a crisp, refreshing cocktail.

Q: We’ve been seeing more non-alcoholic beers on draught in restaurants which is great to see as it makes such as huge difference - in taste and experience. How is trade receiving Thatchers?

At the moment it’s mostly available in bottles in bars and pubs, but nothing beats the experience of a freshly poured pint. Some pubs, especially where they take care and consideration over their low/no range, are already stocking Thatchers Zero on draught and it’s proving really popular. As demand increases, we expect to see more and more pubs and bars switch to draught.