Not all ciders are created equal…
Watch out for ‘white’ or super-strength cider that sits at around 8% ABV. ‘Farmhouse’ cider may sound quaint, but it can still weigh in at up to 12% ABV!
To figure out just how many units you are drinking, you first need to know the Alcohol By Volume (ABV), this will be printed on the packaging. Remember to watch out for those higher ABV% ciders such as Frosty Jack’s, White Lightning, K Cider and Special Brew.
You can work out how many units there are in any amount of cider by using the formula below:
ABV x ml ÷ 1000 = units
For example, to work out the number of units in a 500ml can of 7.5% ABV cider:
7.5 x 500ml ÷ 1000 = 3.75 units
‘Regular’ Cider unit guide
1x Half Pint (284ml) of 4.5% Cider = 1.25 Units
1x Pint (568ml) of 4.5% Cider = 2.5 Units
‘Super-Strength’ Cider unit guide
1x Half Pint (284ml) of 8% Cider = 2.3 Units
1x Pint (568ml) of 8% Cider = 4.5 Units
1x 2-litre bottle (2000ml) of 8% Cider = 16 Units
The recommended weekly alcohol limit in the UK for men and women is 14 units, which is the same as 5 and a half pints of 4.5% cider. If you are drinking ‘super-strength’ cider, that comes down to around 3 pints.
