Cranes

Cranes Drinks is a Cambridge-based fruit cider and low-alcohol brand founded in 2012 by twin brothers Ben and Dan Ritsema, producing a range of naturally light, lower-sugar ciders and cider-based drinks. The brand name traces back to 'craneberries', the 17th-century word for cranberries, a nod to the fruit-forward identity that has defined Cranes from the outset. Ben and Dan identified the opportunity whilst at university, spotting a gap for ciders made from natural ingredients with lower sugar content than mainstream alternatives.

The range spans fruit ciders, cider liqueurs, and a low-alcohol line. Cranes launched its first low-alcohol cider in August 2018, placing itself amongst the earlier independent producers to enter the then-nascent low-ABV cider space. The low-alcohol cider is brewed in the same way as the core fruit ciders, with the alcohol removed afterwards. An expansion into a kombucha-style cider added a fermented, functional-adjacent option to the portfolio, broadening the range beyond a straightforward low-ABV proposition.

Cranes describes its output as naturally light, with lower calorie and lower sugar profiles as a consistent thread across the range. That positioning sits comfortably with sober-curious and health-conscious drinkers who want a fruit-forward, sessionable drink. The brand has achieved broad distribution from its Cambridge base, with products available through mainstream supermarkets and specialist retailers across multiple channels. That footprint reflects a journey from a university-inspired idea to a brand with genuine mainstream shelf presence.

The Collection

Kombucha-Style Cider Raspberries & Lemongrass

Premium Low Alcohol Apple Cider