Apple cider uses and the history of the cider doughnut

Apple cider serves as both a versatile culinary ingredient and a staple of seasonal traditions. In savory cooking, the liquid's natural sweetness can complement proteins such as pork and chicken, or be used to glaze roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts and butternut squash. It can also be incorporated into vinaigrettes or used as a braising base for slow-cooked meats.

Historically, the apple cider doughnut gained popularity in midcentury Manhattan. In 1951, the Doughnut Corporation of America introduced the Sweet Cider Doughnut by incorporating cider directly into the batter. While now deeply associated with New England culture, particularly in states like Vermont and Massachusetts, the treat originated as a commercial innovation in New York.