Cider people, this one is for you. A small urban cidery tasting on Broad Street turns New Orleans drinking culture into a focused, 45-minute sit-and-learn session with dry, effervescent pours. You get a compact group and real conversation in a place built for cider lovers.

I love the small-group setup. It makes it easy to ask Diana and Jon practical questions about ingredients and the cider-making process, not just listen passively. I also like that it’s not a long pub crawl. You can fit this into your day and still have time to explore. One thing to consider: it’s strictly 21 and up, so plan it for adults only.

Key highlights worth knowing

• Four 3oz pours to sample multiple dry ciders in about 45 minutes
• Up to 10 people, so questions to Diana & Jon don’t get swallowed by a crowd
• Dry and effervescent style, which is a big deal if you usually only like sweet drinks
• No hot food served, though cheese pairings may be available most days
• Small urban cidery on Broad Street, convenient for fitting into a sightseeing day
• 21+ tasting room, with no children allowed inside

Why dry cider and mead fit New Orleans better than you’d think

New Orleans gets linked to big, bold, sugary cocktails, but there’s also room for something crisp and dry. That’s what makes this tasting feel like a smart detour. Instead of chasing yet another sweet drink, you’re tasting fermented flavors that actually show off what’s happening in the glass.

Broad Street Cider keeps it simple: a guided session built around their dry, handmade cider. The vibe is casual and social, but the format stays focused. You can meet like-minded adults, sample a few different styles, and leave with a clearer idea of what you like—no guesswork.

And if you’ve ever looked at cider and thought, I’m not sure I even like cider, this is one of the better ways to test that theory. Dry, effervescent ciders tend to behave more like a sparkling beverage than a dessert substitute. That changes the whole experience.

Where the tasting happens on Broad Street (and why location matters)

Your tasting starts at Broad Street Cider & Mead Rear Patio, 2723 S Broad St, New Orleans. Ending back at the same meeting point is a small detail that pays off: you don’t need to rush across town after your last sip. You can keep your energy for the rest of your afternoon or evening.

This spot also makes planning easier. It’s in a central area where it’s realistic to combine the tasting with other nearby stops. You’ll also be close to public transportation, which helps if you’re not trying to wrestle rideshare timing during peak hours.

One more practical note: you’ll want to arrive ready to spend time in the tasting room environment. It’s a bar, and they’re clear that everything is 21+. If you’re traveling with a mixed group, this is the kind of activity where the adults go while kids sit out.

The 45-minute flow: what you’ll do once you arrive

This is designed to be short, friendly, and easy to follow. Plan on about 45 minutes, starting at 3:30 pm. The session is guided in English, and it’s held for a maximum group size of 10 people, so you’re not shouting to be heard.

Because it’s a mobile-ticket experience, you should have your confirmation ready on your phone. When you get there, you’ll check in at the rear patio area. From there, the format is straightforward: you’ll be guided through the tasting, with time to ask questions as you go.

You’ll start with the cider portion: four 3oz ciders. That’s a helpful pacing choice. Four small pours let you compare styles without turning it into a marathon. At 3oz each, you’re tasting enough to notice differences, but not so much that you lose your sense of what you’re picking up.

During the tasting, you’ll be chatting with hosts Diana and Jon, with multiple tasters helping run the session. That matters because it turns the experience into more than a quick pour-and-go. The conversation is part of the value.

The pours: dry, effervescent, and meant to make you rethink cider

The cider style is one of the biggest signals here. These ciders are dry and effervescent. That combo is a clean, bright flavor direction. If you’ve only had sweet cider or cinnamon-spice versions, you may be surprised how drinkable dry cider can be.

Dry doesn’t mean bland. It means the sweetness is dialed down so other things come through—fruit character, carbonation bite, and the way fermentation shapes the finish. Effervescence adds lift and helps flavors feel crisp instead of heavy.

If you’re on the fence about cider, the tasting is built for that moment. Several people highlight that the dry style can change minds. They don’t rely on thick sugary flavor to win you over. They rely on the craft in the bottle—and they give you enough variety to figure out your preferences.

Depending on what they’re pouring during your time slot, you may encounter ciders with names like the Duchess of Devonshire, English Rose, or Red Fairy. Those stood out to people for a reason: they’re described as standouts among a range of options, which suggests you won’t just taste one “default” cider profile.

Mead gets treated with respect, not treated as an afterthought

Even though the sample menu clearly states four 3oz cider pours, this is still branded as a cider & mead tasting. In practice, the talk and selection revolve around both, and people often call out meads they tasted—like Peach mead—as highlights.

That’s useful for you if you’re trying to expand your tastes beyond cider. Mead can feel intimidating if your only memory is overly sweet versions. In a guided setting with dry, craft-focused products, you’re more likely to learn what fermentation choices do to flavor instead of guessing.

The key advantage is context. You’re not just sampling; you’re learning how the shop thinks about ingredients and process. When a host can explain what’s going on, mead starts to make more sense as a cousin to cider rather than a totally separate world.

Pairings and food expectations: plan your snack strategy

This isn’t a meal. They do not serve hot food. Instead, they may offer cheese pairings most days. That’s a nice middle ground: cheese can handle dry, effervescent flavors well without turning the tasting into a full dinner situation.

So here’s my practical advice: eat something earlier or plan a snack after. If you show up hungry, a 45-minute tasting can feel short—but your body will still feel the lack of food.

If cheese pairings are available during your visit, take advantage. Pairings can help you notice how the cider changes with salt, fat, and texture. Even if you’re not a pairing expert, the guide conversation usually points you in the right direction.

Getting answers in a room built for questions

The most consistent praise here is about the host experience, and you’ll feel that quickly once you’re seated. Hosts Diana and Jon are the core of the experience, and the group size helps a lot. You can ask things like what makes one dry cider style different from another, or how the process changes what you taste.

It’s also a social angle. The tasting is a chance to chat with like-minded cider lovers. That doesn’t mean it’s stuffy. It’s more like hanging out with adults who also care about craft drinks. You get to compare what you tasted with other people right there at the table.

One fun bonus from the host-style approach: you’re learning while you drink, not reading a brochure afterward. People leave feeling like they understood ingredients and process better. That’s exactly what you want if you’re trying to turn a curiosity into a real preference.

Price check: is $19 good value for a 45-minute craft tasting?

At $19 per person for about 45 minutes, this is priced like a focused tasting, not a full-on event. The value comes from two things you can actually feel:

1) You get multiple pours. The starter includes four 3oz ciders, which adds up to a meaningful sample without going too far.

2) You get guided time. This isn’t just a self-serve flight. You’re in a small group with hosts you can ask questions.

If you’ve ever done tastings where you pay for a lot of “sit and wait,” this one tends to avoid that. It’s short, structured, and built around comparison. You’re paying for direction and variety, not a long atmosphere-only experience.

Also, because the ciders are dry and effervescent, the tasting helps you figure out whether that style is your thing quickly. It’s a smart way to test the category without committing to a bottle you might not enjoy.

One planning note: this tasting often gets booked around 23 days in advance on average. If your trip window is fixed, booking earlier is the safe move.

Who this tasting is best for (and who should skip it)

This works especially well if you:

• Want a quick, adult-only craft stop that won’t eat your whole day
• Like asking questions and learning how drink makers think
• Prefer dry, crisp flavors and want to move past sweet cider assumptions
• Enjoy social settings, but still like the comfort of a small group

It’s a miss if you:

• Need a family-friendly activity. The tasting room is strictly 21+, and children aren’t allowed inside.
• Expect hot food on-site. They don’t serve hot food, though cheese pairings may be available most days.
• Want something longer or more like a walking tour. This is a tasting session, and that’s the point.

If you’re in New Orleans for the food and music but want one different drinking experience—this is a good fit. It balances local culture with craft detail.

Practical tips so you enjoy every sip

A few small things can make the difference between a fun tasting and a forgettable one.

First, dress for comfort and plan on staying put. The experience is short and centered on the patio/tasting room setup, so you don’t need to think about switching locations mid-session.

Second, go in with curiosity, not worry. If you’re unsure whether you like cider, that uncertainty is basically the whole reason to come. The tasting is built around dry styles that are more “food-friendly” than candy-like.

Third, consider your food timing. Since there’s no hot food, you’ll have the best experience if you’ve eaten or plan to eat shortly before or after.

Finally, bring your questions. With a small group capped at 10 people, you can actually get answers, including specifics about ingredients and process from Diana and Jon.

Should you book this Broad Street Cider & Mead tasting?

Yes, if you want a short craft stop with real conversation and meaningful sampling. $19 for a guided 45-minute tasting with four 3oz ciders (dry and effervescent) is a solid deal, especially for adults who like learning while they sip.

You should book it sooner rather than later if your dates are firm, since it’s commonly booked about three weeks ahead. And if you’re the type who enjoys craft drinks but thinks cider is a “maybe,” this is one of the better ways to test that in a welcoming, no-pressure setting.

Just remember the big constraint: it’s 21+ only, no kids in the tasting room, and there’s no hot food. If you’re fine with that, this is a smart, satisfying New Orleans detour.

FAQ

How long is the craft cider & mead tasting in New Orleans?

It runs for about 45 minutes.

How much does it cost?

It costs $19.00 per person.

What happens during the tasting?

You’ll taste four 3oz ciders as part of the starter, and you’ll chat with Diana & Jon in the cidery during the guided session.

Is this a cider tasting or does it include mead too?

The activity is billed as cider and mead tasting. The starter menu lists four 3oz ciders, and the hosts guide you through their cider and mead offerings during the experience.

Are the ciders sweet?

The ciders are described as dry and effervescent.

When is the cidery open for these tastings?

They are open Wednesdays through Saturdays. On other days, they are open for guided tastings only.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. After that cutoff, the amount paid is not refunded.