I'm from Scandinavia, and the drink referred to as "cider" is also always an alcoholic drink here (ranging from "can be drunk by children because it's only 0,5% alcohol" to "as strong as lager"), so I was well on my way to buy an alcoholic cider for Spiced Apple Martinis. But the kind, helpful clerk at the cider-shop informed me of the difference between UK and American ciders, so I ended up getting the proper ingredients. :)

(As well as a lovely, sweet cider from Normandy, which I'm saving for some other occasion.)