Your 0.0% non-alcoholic anytime cider companion ????✨
If you’ve ever wanted a drink that feels like a joyride through outer space but keeps your feet firmly planted on planet Earth, Schilling’s Excelsior Ground Control 0.0% Cherry is your co-pilot. This non-alcoholic cherry cider is scientifically crafted for those of us who want the full flavor experience without even a whisper of a buzz.
It’s made with fresh-pressed cider apples + tart cherry juice, with no artificial flavoring and no added sugar, which is basically the NA beverage equivalent of “no drama, just vibes.”
First Sip: A Flavor Face-Punch (In a Good Way… Eventually)
I brought a can home from Sober AF Bottle Shop in Tacoma and cracked it open while playing family games over Christmas. The first sip was so tart and bold that my dad and I yelled “WHOA!” at the exact same time, complete with synchronized puckered faces.
This one doesn’t tiptoe in. It kicks the door open.
But here’s the twist: after a few sips, we both adjusted, and suddenly it started tasting… really good. The bright cherry bite becomes addictive, like your tastebuds stopped resisting and started cheering.
Taste Notes
- Tart cherry-forward with a crisp apple backbone
- Bright, tangy, and sharp at first
- Smooths out into a super refreshing, dry-ish cider vibe
- Best served ice cold
How to Drink It
This cider is a solid performer straight from the can, but it also feels extra elevated poured into a glass. Something about the color and aroma makes it feel more like a “real drink moment” and less like a substitute.
Brand & Packaging: Space Adventure, No Flannel Required ????????
Can we talk about the branding? I loved it. So many Pacific Northwest brands lean hard into misty forests and cabin-core energy. Schilling said, “Nah, we’re doing SPACE,” and honestly? It was as refreshing as the cider itself.
The whole Ground Control theme is “blast off while maintaining full control,” and that message lands perfectly for the sober and sober-curious crowd.
About Schilling (and Why They’re Worth Noticing)
Schilling is one of the larger cider producers in the U.S., and they’re serious about craftsmanship and sustainability. They highlight everything from precision fermentation choices to major energy savings and sustainability initiatives.
They also have two Cider Houses:
And they host genuinely fun events like Swiftie Night and a peer-reviewed book club (yes, really).
The One Little Wish ????
Right now, Ground Control Cherry appears to be their only non-alcoholic cider option, and I would love to see them expand the NA universe. If Schilling ever releases NA versions of something like Apple Pie or Passionfruit Pineapple, I’m first in line with my discoball helmet on.
Final Verdict
Excelsior Ground Control Cherry Cider 0.0% is for people who like bold flavors and don’t mind an intense first impression. If you can power through the initial tart shock, the payoff is absolutely worth it. Full flavor, full fun, zero booze.
Welcome to HAPPY EVERY HOUR, your go-to hub for all things NA (non-alcoholic). We review alcohol-free beers, ciders, wines, spirits, RTDs (ready-to-drink), and share NA cocktail recipes that taste just as good—if not better—than the boozy originals. Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, or just taking a break, this is where great taste meets zero proof.
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