Stem Cider Lavender 4Pk

Stem Cider Lavender 4Pk is a floral, off-dry craft cider made with 100% fresh-pressed Pacific Northwest apples and real lavender, bottled at 5.8% ABV. Produced in collaboration with Denver Botanic Gardens using lavender grown at their Chatfield Farms, this expression stands apart from generic botanical ciders through its direct connection to one of the country's most respected horticultural institutions.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.8%  |  Origin: Lafayette, Colorado  |  Style: Lavender-Infused Off-Dry Cider  |  Cidery: Stem Ciders

Production & Heritage

Stem Ciders operates out of Lafayette, Colorado, and has built a reputation for botanically driven ciders that go well beyond standard fruit blends. The Lavender expression starts with 100% fresh-pressed apple juice sourced from Pacific Northwest orchards, then undergoes infusion with dried lavender cultivated at Chatfield Farms — part of Denver Botanic Gardens. This partnership gives the cider a verifiable provenance for its botanical ingredient, distinguishing it from competitors that rely on generic lavender sourcing or artificial flavoring.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dried lavender leads immediately, followed by fresh apple blossom and subtle hints of warm spice — cinnamon and cardamom linger gently in the background. The nose is clean and inviting without veering into perfume territory.

Taste: The entry is bright and crisp, with tart apple acidity meeting a delicate floral sweetness at mid-palate. As it develops, whispers of cinnamon and cardamom spice add complexity, while the off-dry balance keeps things precise — never cloying. The interplay of fruit and flower stays focused throughout.

Finish: Medium in length, the finish recalls lavender lemonade — effervescent, slightly tangy, and refreshingly clean. A soft floral echo persists as the acidity fades.

How to Drink Stem Lavender

Serve cold, straight from the can or poured into a tulip glass to open up the aromatics. This cider's floral character and balanced acidity make it a strong foundation for several cocktails:

• Lavender Cider Spritz: Top a measure of dry gin and a splash of elderflower liqueur with Stem Lavender — the botanicals reinforce each other beautifully.
• French 75 Riff: Substitute this cider for sparkling wine in a French 75; the lavender adds a dimension that pairs naturally with lemon and gin.
• Cider Shandy: Blend half-and-half with a light wheat beer for a low-ABV summer drink where the floral notes brighten the grain character.

Best For

• Warm-weather gatherings where a light, aromatic alternative to beer stands out
• Introducing non-cider drinkers to the category through an approachable, floral style
• Pairing with brunch spreads or garden-party charcuterie boards
• Gifting to someone who appreciates botanical beverages and craft production

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Stem Lavender taste like? Stem Lavender delivers a crisp, off-dry apple base layered with pronounced dried lavender florals and subtle cinnamon-cardamom spice. The overall impression is bright and clean, often compared to a lavender lemonade in its balance of sweetness and acidity.

How does Stem Lavender compare to Schilling Moon Berries? Schilling Moon Berries blends blackberry and blueberry with French lavender, creating a more fruit-forward and berry-driven profile, while Stem Lavender keeps the focus squarely on the interplay between apple and lavender without additional fruit. Stem's collaboration with Denver Botanic Gardens also gives it a more specific botanical provenance than Schilling's approach.

Is Stem Lavender good for cider beginners? Yes — its off-dry balance and familiar floral flavor make it highly approachable for anyone new to craft cider. The 5.8% ABV keeps the experience light and sessionable.

Where is Stem Lavender made? Stem Lavender is produced by Stem Ciders at their facility on Horizon Avenue in Lafayette, Colorado. The apples are fresh-pressed from Pacific Northwest orchards, and the lavender is grown at Chatfield Farms, part of Denver Botanic Gardens in Colorado.

What foods pair well with Stem Lavender? Soft goat cheese and honey crostini complement the floral notes directly. Grilled chicken with herb-forward seasoning mirrors the botanical character. Lemon tarts or shortbread cookies echo the cider's bright acidity. A light arugula salad with stone fruit bridges the apple base and lavender aromatics. Mild fish dishes like pan-seared trout work well against the crisp finish.

What sizes does Stem Lavender come in? Stem Ciders Lavender is sold as a 4-pack of cans, which is the standard retail format for this expression.

Is Stem Lavender worth the price? Stem Lavender positions as a craft-tier cider, priced in line with other botanical and specialty ciders. The use of 100% fresh-pressed apple juice and genuinely sourced lavender from Denver Botanic Gardens' Chatfield Farms provides a level of ingredient transparency that justifies its place above mass-market ciders.

Why Stem Lavender?

The collaboration with Denver Botanic Gardens is not a marketing afterthought — it directly shapes the product by sourcing lavender from Chatfield Farms, giving this cider a botanical provenance most competitors cannot match. Built on a base of 100% fresh-pressed Pacific Northwest apples rather than concentrate, the foundation is clean and honest enough to let the lavender infusion work without masking anything. With a 3.8 out of 5 rating across nearly 1,500 reviews on Untappd, it has earned consistent approval from a broad community of cider drinkers. For anyone seeking a floral cider that relies on real ingredients and a genuine agricultural partnership, Stem Lavender delivers with uncommon specificity.