CLEVELAND, Ohio – StoneWater is back with its Cleveland Spiked Apple Cider for the fall, a side products business that chef Kathryn Neidus says is both fun to work on and profitable.
The restaurant’s cocktail creation comes courtesy of the sister brain-trust at StoneWater – Kathryn, Whitney and Lindsey Neidus. It’s a side gig of sorts, an extension of the restaurant business that chef Kathryn Neidus says is a key component of business nowadays.
“It’s fun to do different (projects) like this,” she said. “I think that’s the more exciting part of the job. As much as I’m still in it doing a lot of the cooking and prepping, my end goal is to steer a little more to help grow the business. For me, that’s building these types of projects.”
The drink consists of vodka, white wine, local apple cider and spices. After the spices and cider are steeped together, the vodka and wine are added.
“We cook the base of the cider with a little extra clove and cinnamon, so you get a little extra spice in there,” Neidus said.
“We recommend serving it warm – not boiling,” because a rolling boil could seep out the alcohol, she said. “It’s great in front of the fireplace or when you’re outside. We’re selling a good amount of those.”
Once opened, it’s recommended you finish the bottle within a week and a half to two weeks. Unopened, it can stay a month, she said.
“We’re knee deep in the spiked cider game,” she said.
Last year was the first year they started bottling the cider, thanks in part to the new laws that resulted from the coronavirus pandemic that allows restaurants and bars to sell to-go cocktails. StoneWater produces, bottles and labels the cider.
Also last year, StoneWater offered Cleveland Glogg, a house-made mulled warm beverage during the holidays. The port-based drink is a bit sweeter with spices. No release date is set, she said, but it probably will be sold after Thanksgiving. The cider will be out probably through Thanksgiving.
“The glogg was very unexpected,” Neidus said. “The sales were just unreal. People have already been asking about it. It really is a great gift, going to holiday parties, gifting it.”
During the holidays, StoneWater began bottling sesame sauce, offering spice-rub packages and marketing other products.
“That’s really what I would love to focus more on, just getting more out there and selling things and helping grow the business a little bit,” Neidus said. “I love that end of it, for sure. It’s something different.
“The possibilities are endless.”
About Cleveland Spiked Apple Cider
The cider is 12.9% alcohol and costs $24 for a 750ml bottle, with 10% discount for a six-bottle case. By-the-glass pours are $10 at the restaurant. For pick-up orders (no shipping), go online. For questions, email clevelandspikedcider@gmail.com. StoneWater is at One Club Dr., Highland Heights.
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What is Cleveland Glogg? StoneWater launches special holiday drink steeped in tradition
Rustic Grill chef Kathryn Neidus draws on diverse culinary training
I am on cleveland.com’s life and culture team and cover food, beer, wine and sports-related topics. If you want to see my stories, here’s a directory on cleveland.com. Bill Wills of WTAM-1100 and I talk food and drink usually at 8:20 a.m. Thursday morning. Twitter: @mbona30.
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