Black Widow is Original Sin Cider’s blackberry-forward hard cider, a dark ruby pour with a sweet-tart fruit profile and a real apple backbone. My rating is 3.95 out of 5, based on 31,787 community ratings. At 6% ABV, it drinks more like a fruit-led cider than a beer, but it has enough acidity and apple character to keep the blackberry from turning into cordial.
At a Glance
| Brewery | Original Sin Cider |
| Style | Blackberry fruit cider / hard cider |
| ABV | 6.0% |
| IBU | Not applicable; this is cider, not a hopped beer |
| Calories | About 170 per 12 oz serving, retailer nutrition data |
| Sugar | About 9 g per 12 oz serving, retailer nutrition data |
| Fruit and base | Blackberries and freshly pressed New York apples |
| Fermentation | Champagne yeast, per retailer ingredient information |
| Community rating | 3.95/5 from 31,787 ratings |
| Origin | New York City, New York; launched in 1996 |
What is Black Widow cider?
Black Widow is a 6% ABV hard cider made with blackberries and freshly pressed New York apples. Original Sin describes it as fruit-forward and tart, with a complex fruit character. The combination matters: blackberry supplies the dark berry aroma and color, while apple brings acidity and structure. This is not a beer recipe, so there is no malt bill or hop schedule to list, and IBU is not a useful measurement here.
In my glass, the color is the first thing that makes the name click. It pours a deep garnet red, almost purple in low light, with a thin pinkish ring of bubbles rather than a tall, lasting beer head. The blackberry note leads, but the apple keeps the sip brisk. Think juicy berry skin and crisp apple, not sugary jam spread across the palate.
Black Widow specs: ABV, calories, ingredients and IBU
The confirmed strength is 6% ABV. Calories are reported at about 170 per 12-ounce serving, with roughly 9 grams of sugar in the same serving. Those nutrition numbers come from retailer product data rather than an official nutrition panel that I could verify directly, so I treat them as a useful estimate rather than a lab-certified figure. The can size commonly listed is 12 ounces.
The ingredient story is straightforward: freshly pressed New York apples, blackberries and Champagne yeast. Sulfites are also listed in some retailer ingredient panels as a flavor preservative. The brewery does not publish a hop bill, malt bill or IBU for Black Widow, because this is fermented cider. If you are comparing strength across drinks, my plain-English ABV calculation guide explains what the percentage means in a standard serving.
For comparison, the sweetness is not simply a function of alcohol. Fruit aroma can make cider seem sweeter than the sugar level suggests, while apple acidity can pull the finish back toward tart. That push and pull is what keeps Black Widow from drinking like a blackberry soda with alcohol added.
Taste test: blackberry first, crisp apple finish
The nose is generous: blackberry jam, fresh berry skin and a little apple sweetness. I do not get much yeast character through the fruit, and that is fine for the style. On the first sip, the cider has a round, berry-forward entry, followed by a tart snap that feels more like biting a fresh blackberry than eating a spoonful of preserves. The apple gives the middle some lift and keeps the finish from becoming heavy.
There is a little sweetness, but the finish is not cloying. At 6% ABV, Black Widow has enough body to feel like a proper drink rather than a flavored seltzer, yet it remains refreshing when served cold. Let it warm for a few minutes and the berry aroma becomes more obvious; serve it fridge-cold and the apple acidity does more of the work. I prefer it cool, not nearly frozen, in a stemmed tasting glass where the aroma can open.
As a homebrewer, I like the restraint in the construction. Blackberry is easy to push too far: add too much fruit character and the drink reads as syrup; leave it too low and the apple swallows it. Here the berry sits clearly at the front, with tartness and apple keeping the back half alive. If you enjoy fruit-forward drinks, start with our guide to fruit-led beers and ciders, then try the watermelon-flavor guide for a brighter, lighter take on fruit.
How Black Widow compares with other fruit ciders
Black Widow sits firmly in the berry-cider lane, with blackberry doing more than just adding a hint of aroma. Its color, aroma and tart finish all point in the same direction. It is a stronger choice for someone who wants a clearly fruit-led cider than a dry, apple-only pour. At the same time, the acidity gives it more balance than a sweet dessert cider.
I would choose it for a relaxed patio session or a mixed group where not everybody wants a bitter beer. It is an easy bridge for wine drinkers and for friends who usually order a fruit beer, but the apple character still feels like cider. If your preference is something less sweet and more crisp, reach for a dry traditional cider instead. If you are comparing drink strength, remember that the 6% ABV is close to many modern craft beers, even when the fruit makes the sip feel light.
For a picnic, I like bringing one fruit-forward option alongside a clean lager or pale ale. Our picnic beer picks cover the more classic beer choices, while the broader beer glass guide helps pick a vessel that gives aromatic drinks more room to breathe.
Food pairings: what to eat with Black Widow
Blackberry and apple acidity make this cider a natural match for salty, savory food. I would pour it with grilled sausages, roast chicken, a sharp cheddar board, pork tenderloin or a burger with a little blue cheese. The fruit cuts through fat, while the cider’s sweetness rounds out smoke and char. It can also work with spicy dishes, particularly barbecue with a moderate heat level, because the berry softens the edges without making the food taste sugary.
For a casual spread, try aged cheddar, soft goat cheese, cured meats and fresh berries. Skip an overly sweet glaze or dessert sauce; the cider already brings fruit. At a cookout, it pairs well with pulled pork, grilled chicken and smoky ribs, though a heavy, very sweet sauce can tip the combination too far into sugar. Our barbecue pairing guide has more ideas for matching drink character to smoke and sauce. For a different table spread, see the recommendations for tacos and beer-friendly toppings.
Availability and where to look
Original Sin says its cider range is distributed across more than 28 states and overseas, but that does not guarantee Black Widow is stocked in every market or every shop. The exact blackberry cider did not surface as a current Saucey product when I checked, and local inventories change by delivery address. Look for the 12-ounce can in craft beer and cider sections, independent bottle shops and retailers that carry the wider Original Sin range. Check the can date and keep it cold once you bring it home.
Original Sin began in New York City in 1996, founded by Gidon Coll. The early work included small-batch fermentation in upstate New York and hand deliveries to bars in Manhattan and Brooklyn. The brand has grown from those subway case runs into a cider portfolio with broad distribution. For other cider drinkers in your circle, a structured tasting is fun: open one dry apple cider and one fruit cider side by side, then compare aroma, sweetness and acidity. Our home tasting party plan makes it easy to set up that kind of comparison without turning the evening into a formal class.
Five berry-forward alternatives to try
If you are looking for the same broad fruit-and-cider idea, these five currently listed options are sensible alternatives. They are not identical to Black Widow: each has its own balance of berry, apple and sweetness. I would start with the blackberry-forward choices, then branch out to mixed berry if you want a slightly different fruit profile.
My verdict on Original Sin Black Widow
Black Widow earns its reputation as a fruit cider with personality. The blackberry is vivid without flattening the apple base, the tart finish stops the sweetness from lingering, and the 6% ABV gives it enough weight for a leisurely glass. It is not a dry traditional cider, and it is not trying to be one. This is the bottle or can I would choose when I want berry aroma and color, but still want the drink to finish crisp.
The 3.95 community rating feels fair to me: it is a confident, highly drinkable fruit cider, and its appeal is strongest when you are in the mood for blackberry. Serve it cool, pair it with salty food, and let the apple acidity do its balancing work. If you prefer bone-dry cider, try a traditional apple-led pour instead; for a lively fruit choice, Black Widow is worth tracking down.
Serving Black Widow: temperature and glass
I would give Black Widow ten minutes out of the fridge before pouring if it has been stored very cold. The extra time lets the berry aroma come forward without making the cider warm or flat. A tulip glass or small wine glass works better than a narrow can opening because you can smell the fruit as you sip. Pour gently down the side of the glass, then straighten the stream near the end to leave a small collar of bubbles. There is no need to chase a large foam cap; the point is to keep the cider lively and capture that first wave of blackberry.
When I taste a fruit cider, I look for three things: does the fruit smell recognizable, does the base cider still show through, and does the finish invite another sip? Black Widow checks those boxes for me. The first impression is berry, but the apple acidity comes through in the middle and gives the finish a clean edge. That balance also makes it more adaptable at the table than a cider where added fruit sweetness is the only feature. If you are sharing it, serve a small first pour alongside a drier cider or a pale beer and compare how the fruit changes the sense of sweetness. A simple side-by-side glass comparison often tells you more than a long list of tasting adjectives.
FAQs about Black Widow cider
What is the ABV of Original Sin Black Widow?
Black Widow is 6.0% ABV.
How many calories are in Black Widow cider?
Retailer nutrition information lists about 170 calories per 12-ounce serving and about 9 grams of sugar. Treat these as reported figures, not a separately verified official nutrition panel.
What ingredients are in Black Widow?
The cider is made with blackberries, freshly pressed New York apples and Champagne yeast. Retailer ingredient panels also list sulfites.
Does Black Widow have hops or an IBU?
No hop bill or IBU is published for Black Widow. It is a fermented cider, not a hopped beer, so IBU does not apply.
Is Original Sin Black Widow sweet?
It is fruit-forward with blackberry sweetness, but the apple acidity and tart finish keep it from drinking like a syrupy dessert cider.
Where can I buy Black Widow cider?
Availability varies by state and retailer. Check local craft beer and cider shops for the 12-ounce cans and confirm current stock before making a trip.
References
- Original Sin Cider, Black Widow product page: Reference
- Original Sin Cider, Our Story: Reference
- CiderExpert, Black Widow specifications and nutrition estimate: Reference
- Instacart, Original Sin Black Widow ingredient and nutrition listing: Reference
- Cidercraft, Original Sin history: Reference
- Hard Cider Reviews, Black Widow tasting notes: Reference
