Apple cider and hard cider...What's the difference? | Windfall Cider (2024)

Hard ciders, dry ciders, apple ciders, apple cider vinegar…The word cider is sometimes thrown with little real explanation. Apple cider is great with breakfast and hard cider is great as an after-work drink. But what are the differences between these alcoholic ciders and the breakfast-friendly ones?

Simply put, the difference between apple cider and hard cider is the alcohol content (or the lack thereof).

Apple cider is apple juice that has not been filtered and still contains all the apple pieces, pulp, and sediment. It is the raw, purer version of apple juice. To make an alcoholic cider, yeast is added which converts the sugar into alcohol.

Simple right?

Hard cider is the adult version of apple cider. Although apples and pears are the most common fruit to use, ciders can also be made from strawberries, peaches, plums, etc.

Interestingly, if apple cider is left unpasteurized and unrefrigerated, the cider will start to ferment naturally and turn itself into hard cider.

The different types of hard cider

These hard ciders can be made in several styles, which are differentiated by the alcohol and sugar levels in the cider.

Dry cider has the lowest sugar level, but the highest alcohol content. All the sugar is converted into alcohol. Therefore, you can expect about 0.5% residual sugar with up to 7% alcohol. Like our seriously dry Hail Mary Rosé Cider.

Offdry cider is slightly sweeter than dry cider. It has about 1-2% residual sugar which creates a richer flavor too.

Semisweet ciders are the sweetest versions. It can have anything between 2% – 4% residual sugar and have luscious intense apple flavors.

These ciders are either made to be sparkling or still – both of which offer a delicious experience.

Enjoying the alcoholic cider

Hard ciders are a delicate and flavorsome drink that should be served and savored correctly. Although they don’t have to be stored in cool temperatures, they should be served at a cool temperature to truly get the full experience. Hard ciders should be enjoyed like a chilled glass of white wine. Let all the aromas to come forward without freezing all the flavors. And just like a good red wine, the glassware is vital. To truly enjoy everything these hard ciders can offer, a large bowl-like glass with a stem is preferred.

Understanding these differences in the types of ciders will enhance your next experience with any one of these ciders. Now that you’ve learned to distinguish them, check out our ciders page to see what dry ciders we have on our shelves!

Apple cider and hard cider...What's the difference? | Windfall Cider (2024)

FAQs

Is hard cider the same as apple cider? ›

Hard cider is the adult version of apple cider. Although apples and pears are the most common fruit to use, ciders can also be made from strawberries, peaches, plums, etc. Interestingly, if apple cider is left unpasteurized and unrefrigerated, the cider will start to ferment naturally and turn itself into hard cider.

What are the two types of cider? ›

Dry ciders are perfect for those who prefer a less sweet drink, or for pairing with salty or savory foods. On the other end of the spectrum, we have sweet cider. As you might expect, sweet cider is made with apples that have a higher sugar content, resulting in a sweeter taste.

What is the difference between dry cider and apple cider? ›

In simple terms, a cider is designated as dry when it contains zero grams of residual sugar. Cider is made by fermenting the sugars naturally found in apples. Yeast is added to pressed juice which feeds on the existing sugar, ultimately releasing carbon dioxide and creating alcohol.

Is there alcohol in apple cider? ›

Is Apple Cider Alcoholic? Fresh apple cider doesn't contain alcohol. It's possible for unpasteurized cider to ferment over time and become alcoholic, creating hard apple cider. If you don't want your cider to become alcoholic, then it's best to drink it within two weeks of making it.

Why do Americans call it hard cider? ›

In a 1739 dictionary, hard was defined as rough and rugged, a further refinement of the usage in the 16th century sharing much of the same sentiment. In the early 1800s, Webster's Dictionary actually used the word hard used to describe booze as acidic, sour, and austere. The use of the term is “the cider is hard”.

Are ciders better for you than beer? ›

With little to no added sugar, beer is the undisputed winner here. As a result, it typically has lesser carbs than cider which makes it slightly “healthier”, even though the amount of calories remains roughly the same.

Which cider is stronger? ›

strong cider
ABV
1Sea Cider Rumrunner (2009+ Newfoundland Screech Rum) 12.5%12.5%
2Millstone Cellars Cobbler Retired 8.0%8.0%
3Chemin des Sept Turbo Brut (Chêne Américain et Français) 8.5%8.5%
4Millstone Cellars Vin De Pomme Retired 8.0%8.0%
46 more rows

Which cider has more alcohol? ›

Dry cider: These types of cider are typically the most acidic and contain less than 0.5% residual sugar. This less-sweet drink also contains a higher alcohol content than other ciders. Most dry ciders are aged in oak barrels to complement their mineral qualities.

Why is apple cider called cider? ›

Etymology. The word cider is first mentioned in Middle English in biblical use as sicer / ciser "strong drink", "strong liquor" in the 13th century and as sither(e) / cidre "liquor made from the juice of fruits" → "beverage made from apples" in the 14th century.

Does hard cider go bad if not refrigerated? ›

Cider is a perishable product and we do not add any preservatives that will keep the flavor as intended until the end of time. Refrigeration will help increase the longevity of quality and flavor if you plan on saving this treat.

Is hard apple cider good for you? ›

Apple cider contains polyphenols, which are compounds in plants that act as antioxidants. They can help the body to fight against free radicals and cell damage, lowering your risk of certain types of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Polyphenols also help to ease inflammation in the body.

Is cider a healthy drink? ›

Did you know hard cider has many health benefits? According to Cider Craft Magazine there are three health benefits that come from drinking hard cider; antioxidants, vitamin C, and sans gluten. Apples are known to be a type of “superfood” containing many vital vitamins and antioxidants.

What's the difference between apple cider and hard cider? ›

The primary difference between hard cider and soft cider is their alcohol content. Soft cider is a non-alcoholic beverage made from fresh apple juice, while hard cider is an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting apple juice. The alcohol content in hard cider ranges from 4-8%, depending on the fermentation process used.

What kind of alcohol is hard cider? ›

Hard cider is an alcoholic beverage made from fermented apples (like how wine is made from fermented grapes). Like wine, starting with fruit gives hard cider taste profiles that range from fruity to dry. Your palette can pick up on the acids and tannins that come from the wide variety of apples.

Are ciders high in sugar? ›

The fruit used to make cider is naturally high in sugar, which is why cider is higher in sugar than beer. As part of the brewing process, yeast is added to the juice to begin fermentation.

Does hard cider taste like apples? ›

The complex flavours of cider

Cider can mean different things to people. So, while it can taste sweetly of apples to one person, to someone else, they enjoy drinking cider for the sharp, acidic edge that pleasantly cuts through their thirst on a hot summers day.

Is apple Ale the same as hard cider? ›

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ALE AND CIDER? The main difference is how they get their alcohol. Ales get their alcohol from fermented and malted grains, ciders get their alcohol from fermented apple juice.

Is Apple Jack the same as hard cider? ›

Jacking, or freeze distillation, involves freezing the hard cider and removing the ice (frozen water) from the mixture, which increases the alcohol content. The more ice removed, the higher the alcohol content, which makes Applejack much stronger than hard cider.

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