Drinks · fermented
Cider — an apple that started fermenting
Cider is the simplest fermented drink there is: juice and yeast. But the shelf holds two quite different things under one name — traditional dry cider and sweet flavoured cider drink. The label tells you in advance which is in the bottle.
In short
- Strength
- 4.5–6% vol, strong ones up to 8%
- Raw material
- apple juice, pear juice, berries
- Sweetness
- from dry (brut) to sweet
- Serving
- 4–6 °C, well chilled
- Glass
- wine glass or a tall glass, not from the bottle
- Source of bubbles
- fermentation or added carbonation
If the label says «cider drink» or lists a long set of flavourings, you have a sweet flavoured product. Traditional cider names the apple varieties.
Two different things under one name
Traditional cider is apple juice fermented to dryness. The result is dry, acidic and tannic — closer to wine than to lemonade. It is drunk from a wine glass and served with food.
Sweet cider drink is a fermented base with sugar, juice and flavour added. Lighter, sweeter, clearer — popular in summer and over ice.
Neither is wrong, but they do not replace each other. If you expected apple wine and got lemonade, the answer was on the label.
Styles
Acidic and tannic, 5–6% vol. Pork, chicken, cheese, pancakes.
Balanced; the widest choice in shops. A good starting point.
Softer and sweeter, less acid. Often preferred by people who find apple cider too sharp.
Blackcurrant, raspberry, cherry. Almost always on the sweet side.
Named apple varieties, often bottle conditioned. Closer to wine than to lemonade.
How to serve it
Cold, 4–6 °C
Warm cider is sweet and flat. Cold lifts the acidity.
In a glass, not from the bottle
Aroma is the best part of cider, and the bottle neck locks it in.
Ice only for sweet styles
Dry cider turns watery with ice. A sweet cider drink takes it well.
Serve it with food
Dry cider handles pork and cheese as well as white wine does.
Common questions
How strong is cider?
Usually 4.5–6% vol, in the same range as beer. Strong craft ciders reach 8% vol.
What is the difference between cider and a cider drink?
Cider is fermented juice. A cider drink has sugar, juice and flavourings added, making it sweeter and simpler.
Is cider gluten-free?
Plain apple cider is, since there is no grain in it. Flavoured versions may contain additives — check the label.
How long does an open bottle keep?
The bubbles go within a couple of hours. Drinkable for a day in the fridge, but best straight away.