That's how the French say "cider," and it was in France where I learned about this beverage that I still love. Traveling with my parents as a teenager, I was not allowed to drink much with them, besides a taste of wine or beer. But sometimes the rules were lifted when it came to cider, which I quickly learned to enjoy for its dryness, essence of apple flavor, bubbles and, yes, the little buzz.

So, I was happy to order a bottle the other day at restaurant Zazie in Cole Valley, when we stopped in for a late lunch on a Sunday. This version was fairly classic—off dry, crisp, refreshing and always a great choice when you’re not in the mood for beer or wine.