Fall for apples

Johnny Appleseed didn’t just plant apples, he also sowed cider apples. In those days, you drank cider or beer instead of the questionable water nearby. Now we often ignore cider until fall, although it’s a great year-round quencher. Fresh-pressed apple juice often masquerades as cider. For the real, slightly alcoholic deal, seek out artisanal producers at farmers’ markets and Apple Hill. You’ll find barely fizzy blends, single-varietal ciders and even higher-alcohol versions. Sacramento’s own Two Rivers Cider Co. makes seasonal and dry ciders.