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

Apple cider and hard cider...What's the difference? | Windfall Cider? ›

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

What is 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 are the two types of cider? ›

Cider
  • Sweet ciders have fresh, clean characteristics. ...
  • Semi sweet ciders have a solid body and hearty fruit flavours that are great on their own, but are also ideal for co*cktail mixing, ensuring the end product is not too sweet and not too dry.

How does apple cider turn into hard cider? ›

Fermentation and Racking

Fresh-pressed cider does not become hard cider until yeast has the chance to consume its sugars and convert them into alcohol. Once the cider has been pressed and aged to the maker's specifications, it is transferred to fermentation vessels for this to occur.

What is the cider equivalent of a sommelier? ›

Well, a pommelier is for cider what a sommelier is for wine: a sommelier is a 'steward of wine' - you'll usually find them in restaurants, and they will have picked the wine list, and help customers choose a wine they might like, or pair wine to the food they're eating.

Does hard cider have alcohol in it? ›

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.

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.

Why is it called hard cider? ›

Hard cider generally gained the “hard” aspect of its name as a method of differentiating apple cider (non-alcoholic) from the alcoholic version.

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? ›

Specific cider styles
Specific cider styleClarityAlcohol by volume (ABV)
Cider with other fruitClear to brilliant9–12%
Ice ciderBrilliant7–13%
Cider with herbs/spicesClear to brilliant5–9%
WhiteClear to brilliant6.5–8.4%
6 more rows

Can regular apple cider turn into alcohol? ›

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 did my hard apple cider turn to vinegar? ›

Vinegar is a natural progression of fermentation and often found in cider that is forgotten about and not protected from oxygen.

What is the best apple cider for making hard cider? ›

Galas, Gravensteins, Newtown Pippins, Rome Beauties and Winesaps are a few common varieties that can add amazing nuances and depth to hard cider. Though you won't often find more than a few standard apple types in a regular grocery store, some specialty markets carry an expanded selection.

What is a female sommelier called? ›

The French word for female sommelier is sommelière (soh/me/lyair). In English, we don't use the feminine word form, and both men and women are refered to as sommeliers.

What is Aldi cider called? ›

Taurus Original Cider 440ml | ALDI. 0 0.00 CHECKOUT 0 CHECKOUT.

What is a brewery for cider called? ›

A cider mill, also known as a cidery, is the location and equipment used to crush apples into apple juice for use in making apple cider, hard cider, applejack, apple wine, pectin and other products derived from apples.

Does apple cider contain alcohol? ›

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.

Is apple cider the same as dry cider? ›

Hard cider is an alcoholic beverage made from the fermentation of apple juice. The process, akin to winemaking, brings out the natural sugars, creating a spectrum of flavors ranging from sweet to dry. Dry hard cider is characterized by its minimal residual sugar content, resulting in a less sweet, more crisp profile.

Does apple cider have the same benefits as apple cider vinegar? ›

"With a whole apple you get fiber, antioxidants and vitamins," says Dr. Kalakota. "A lot of this is lost when juicing an apple to make cider — you lose the fiber, and many other nutrients get filtered out." Fermenting the cider into vinegar doesn't bring back any of those beneficial nutrients.

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”.

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