Cold Hollow Cider Mill - Waterbury Center, Vermont

Lin L.

We tried both cold and hot cider, everyone preferred the cold one. It was a lot more refreshing but the hot one is not bad either. Honestly, the sampling apple cider was the best make sure to try it. The donuts are really really good, the first time I actually taste the flavor of a donut instead of just sugar. Must try donut and apple cider.

Jeff M.

Cold Hollow is a must when in the area. The selection of items is vast, so take your time. The real treats are the donuts and of course the best apple cider I’ve ever had the pleasure of tasting, and believe me I’ve had a lot. We had hot mulled and cold cider, so try both with your donuts. All of Vermont’s best goodies are under one roof, so enjoy!

Najeeb A.

This is like a cider donut shop, food shop, gift shop, and cafe all on one. They have so many different things to buy! We tried some of the Vermont maple creamee and it was so delicious! They also had a section where you could try freshly squeezed apple cider and is was amazing! There is a good amount of seating space outside to enjoy as well.

Jo P.

The Apple cider is outstanding, maybe the best I’ve ever had. In the back, you can sample it straight from the press for free, I may have had a cup or four. Cool store and unique items to purchase (though a bit overpriced, you’re paying for the name).

Reason for 4 stars? Donuts should never be served pre packed and cold, like we received. They taste good, but not cold. Donuts should be freshly bagged and warm out of the bag, instead we got cold donuts that looked like they’d been sitting on the shelf a while.

Dan

Can I live here?

Firstly the old barn house is stark in its authentic beauty and scent. Wood. The options? Good luck they’re all delicious especially that MAPLENATOR. All with local cheeses and meats. The people? Kind and’s engaging. The coffee? Oh dear.. I’m taking another Joe for the road baby..

Cheers!!

Jireh H.

Bantering with locals often yields interesting information that you wouldn’t have immediately thought of searching online. Since the move to New England, I have had the tendency to just drive normal distances to Californians, which in this area means traveling easily into various other states, and just randomly chatting up individuals at wherever area I’m in. I always ask the same question to locals - “What do you recommend one thing someone to do in your town?” Whatever they suggest, I just go about without asking further questions (this has worked well for me as I travelled over the last two decades - with obviously some funny stories in between).

An elderly couple at the grocery store who chatted me up about the various fermented vegetables eventually asked if I was from the area. When they found out I was just passing through, they asked if I had visited any of their mainstays. I named a couple restaurants and then asked them *the* question. They named this establishment and recommended that I at least tried both their cold and hot ciders as well as their legendary cider donuts. That was all I needed to hear to get back into my car and drive two miles to the other side of town.

You are greeted by the wonderful scent wafting from their bakery as you step through their doors. The interior was definitely was way larger than you would have thought while standing outside. They carried so many goods within that you would easily browse for an hour as there was much thought to how they laid it all out in sections. What was most delightful was when I found the cider room and the large apple press in the adjacent room where you could view through a glass pane. Self-serve yourself some amazingly tasty cold cider, stare at people prepare the press to apply tons of pressure to extract all that goodness, and walk yourself to grab a gallon jug of awesome elixir you just partook of…order a cup of hot cider and a cider donut to munch on the way out. Absolutely wonderful experience - again, honest locals will never fail you. It is their pride after all to share what’s so awesome about their town.

I actually really look forward to be back again.

Jared W.

The negative Google reviews for this place are a joke. Several reviews complain about the crowds, price, and taste of the donuts and cider.

Cold Hollow wouldn't have grown to what it is today selling "really bad" tasting donuts or "apple juice" flavored cider. Both of these products are fantastic! I have been ordering both every fall and devour both in a matter of a few days.

I went to the store for the first time recently, and the donuts are even better fresh from the store. As for the cider, it does vary in flavor throughout the year as the seasons change, but I have never had the "bad" cider others have mentioned.

It's a shame reviewers are blaming the crowds on the business itself. Why is it their fault everyone wants to be there at the same time? Maybe go on a weekday and help thin the crowds out. We went on a Sunday afternoon, and the crowds weren't bad at all.

As for the price, yes, it's true. Don't go to a place like this looking for a deal. Every place like this charges a premium for their products they curate for their customers. Yes, you can get some things cheaper at other stores, but here it's all collected for your ease of purchase. If you can get it somewhere else cheaper, then do it, but you aren't going to find those donuts or the cider anywhere else. If you don't like the price, quit complaining and don't buy it.

Go to Ben & Jerry's and Cabot down the street and see how reasonable their prices are. It's a treat to go to any of these places. You can't find places like these just anywhere. Stay home, save your money, quit whining, and save the room for me at the store if it's that bad.

Keep doing what you are doing, guys!

Rajat K.

Amazing store with lot of options to choose from. You can’t go empty handed from here. As hyped, tried their donuts and hot cider. Honestly, i liked the hot cider as weather was cold and i wish I got hot donuts instead of cold ones but still they were delicious.