Can Vegans Have Apple Cider? A Guide to Finding Vegan-Friendly Brands

November 12, 2025 •

4 min read

While it may seem that apple cider, made from pressed apples, would always be vegan, this isn't necessarily the case. The processing of both regular and hard apple cider can sometimes involve animal-derived products, making it crucial for vegans to check before purchasing.

Quick Summary

Some apple ciders are not vegan due to the use of animal-based fining agents for clarification, or honey for sweetening. However, many vegan-friendly options exist, especially among craft and cloudy varieties. Checking for a vegan label or contacting the manufacturer is key.

Key Points

Fining agents cause non-vegan status: The primary reason some ciders are not vegan is the use of animal-based agents like gelatin or isinglass to clarify the liquid.
Cloudy is likely vegan: Unfiltered or cloudy ciders are generally vegan-friendly because they skip the fining process.
Check for certification: Look for a vegan certification label on the bottle, which guarantees no animal products were used.
Hidden animal ingredients: Some ciders may contain non-vegan ingredients like honey or use refined sugar processed with bone char.
Resource directories exist: Online databases like Barnivore provide comprehensive lists of vegan-friendly alcoholic beverage brands.
Craft ciders are often safer: Smaller, craft cideries are more likely to use traditional or plant-based methods for clarification.

Why Is All Apple Cider Not Vegan?

The core ingredients for apple cider—apples—are inherently vegan. The issue arises during the production and clarification process. Many manufacturers use fining agents to remove sediment and create a clear, sparkling beverage. Unfortunately, these clarifying agents can be derived from animal products. For a cider to be certified vegan, it must be completely free of animal products at every stage of production.

Common Non-Vegan Fining Agents

Several animal-based substances are traditionally used to clarify alcoholic beverages like cider:

Isinglass: A type of gelatin made from the dried swim bladders of fish.
Gelatin: A protein derived from the skin, bones, and connective tissues of animals like cows and pigs.
Casein: A protein derived from milk.
Albumen: Derived from egg whites.

While these agents are filtered out during the process, their use still renders the final product non-vegan for many ethical vegans.

How to Identify Vegan-Friendly Cider

Thankfully, many cideries, especially smaller craft producers, use vegan-friendly alternatives or traditional methods that naturally clarify the cider.

Unfiltered/Cloudy Cider: A cloudy or unfiltered cider is a strong indicator that it has not undergone an animal-based fining process and is more likely to be vegan. The natural sediment is left in the cider, giving it a hazy appearance.
Look for Vegan Certification: Reputable brands that produce vegan cider will often display a vegan certification mark, such as the Vegan Trademark from The Vegan Society, directly on the packaging.
Check Online Resources: Websites like Barnivore maintain a comprehensive database of vegan-friendly alcoholic beverages, including both hard and soft ciders.
Contact the Manufacturer: When in doubt, reaching out to the cider company is the most reliable way to confirm their production methods and fining agents.

Vegan Alternatives and Sweeteners

For cideries that still use a fining process, many have transitioned to plant-based alternatives to achieve clarity. These vegan methods include using bentonite clay or cellulose filter sheets. Furthermore, it's not just about filtration. Some ciders are sweetened with non-vegan ingredients.

Honey: Ciders, particularly some craft or specialty varieties, are occasionally sweetened with honey, which is not considered vegan. Always read the ingredients list to check for this or other non-vegan flavorings.
Natural Sweeteners: Most vegan ciders are sweetened with additional apple juice or sugar. However, some refined white sugars are processed with bone char, so confirmation may be necessary for the strictest vegans.

Hard vs. Soft Apple Cider

The distinction between alcoholic (hard) and non-alcoholic (soft) apple cider is also important. While non-alcoholic apple juice and unfiltered ciders are almost always vegan, the potential for animal-based fining agents is most prevalent in hard cider production. However, some specialty non-alcoholic ciders can still use non-vegan additives. Always verify before consuming.

Comparison of Vegan and Non-Vegan Cider Characteristics


Feature	Vegan-Friendly Cider	Potentially Non-Vegan Cider
Appearance	Often cloudy or hazy due to natural sediment.	Typically bright and clear due to fining.
Fining Agents	Uses plant-based agents like bentonite clay or cellulose filters.	Can use isinglass, gelatin, casein, or albumen.
Sweeteners	Uses apple juice, vegan sugar, or other plant-based syrups.	May contain honey or bone-char-processed sugar.
Availability	Widely available, especially in craft and organic varieties.	Many large commercial brands still use traditional methods.
Labels	Often clearly marked with a vegan certification logo.	Rarely specifies if non-vegan fining agents were used.
Price	Varies, with many craft vegan options available at different price points.	Can be cheaper for commercial brands, but price is not a reliable indicator.

Vegan-Friendly Cider Brands

There is a growing number of brands committed to producing vegan ciders. Checking resources like Barnivore.com is the best way to confirm, but a few well-known examples include:

Brothers Cider: This UK-based cidery has products accredited by The Vegan Society.
Thatchers Cider: Several varieties from this brand are listed as vegan-friendly.
Aspall Cyder: Offers many vegan-friendly options, including their Pip & Wild series.
Many Craft Ciders: Small-batch, craft producers often rely on natural clarification methods, making them more likely to be vegan.

Conclusion

The simple question, "Can vegans have apple cider?" doesn't have a simple answer. While the base ingredient is always vegan, the processing can sometimes involve animal products for fining and clarification. The key for vegans is to be a discerning consumer, checking labels, looking for certifications, and opting for unfiltered or craft brands. With the rising popularity of veganism, more manufacturers are offering clearly labeled, delicious vegan cider options, making it easier than ever to enjoy this classic beverage without compromising your principles. For further verification, resources like Barnivore are invaluable. By taking a moment to check, you can confidently enjoy a refreshing glass of truly vegan apple cider.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not all apple cider is non-vegan. Many brands, particularly craft and unfiltered varieties, are completely vegan-friendly, but you must check the manufacturing process as some use animal-derived fining agents.

A fining agent is a substance added to cider to remove sediment and make the final product clearer. Common non-vegan fining agents include isinglass (from fish bladders) and gelatin (from animal bones).

Soft (non-alcoholic) apple cider is usually vegan, but it's important to check ingredients for additives. Hard (alcoholic) cider more commonly uses animal-derived fining agents for clarification, making it more likely to be non-vegan.

If there is no vegan label, look for cider that is described as unfiltered or cloudy, as these typically do not use fining agents. You can also search online databases like Barnivore or contact the manufacturer directly to ask about their process.

No, not all clear ciders use animal products. Vegan-friendly alternatives like bentonite clay or cellulose filters can also be used to achieve a clear appearance. However, clarity is a potential red flag and warrants further investigation.

Many fruit-flavored ciders are vegan, but some, like Ace Apple Honey Cider, explicitly state they are not vegan due to non-plant ingredients like honey. Always check the ingredient list carefully, as some fruit colorings like carmine also come from insects.

Brands like Brothers Cider and Thatchers Cider are known for offering vegan-friendly options, and smaller craft cideries are often reliable. However, it is always best to check the most current information available on certified vegan directories like Barnivore.