How many calories are in a pint of Magners dark fruit cider?

January 4, 2026 •

4 min read

According to nutritional data, a standard 500ml bottle of Magners Dark Fruit contains 220 calories. To figure out precisely how many calories are in a pint of Magners dark fruit cider, we need to convert that information for a standard British pint (568ml).

Quick Summary

A standard British pint of Magners Dark Fruit cider contains approximately 250 calories, based on its 44 kcal per 100ml nutritional value. The total calorie count is influenced by both its alcohol content and added sugars.

Key Points

Approximate Calorie Count: A pint (568ml) of Magners Dark Fruit cider contains approximately 250 calories.
Calorie Source: The calories come from both the 4% alcohol by volume (ABV) and the added sugars from the blackcurrant and blackberry flavourings.
Comparison with Other Ciders: It is generally more calorific than standard apple ciders like Magners Original (approx. 239 calories per pint) but can be lower than some other sugary fruit ciders.
Main Contributors: The higher sugar content compared to drier ciders is the primary reason for its higher calorie value.
Mindful Consumption: Strategies for reducing calorie intake include alternating with water, choosing smaller serving sizes, or exploring lower-calorie alternatives.

Calculating the Calories in a Pint of Magners Dark Fruit Cider

To determine the total calorie content of a pint (568ml) of Magners Dark Fruit, we must first establish the per 100ml nutritional information. According to multiple sources, Magners Dark Fruit contains 44 calories per 100ml. A standard British pint is 568ml, so a simple calculation is required to find the total calories. The calculation is as follows:

$$(44 \text{ kcal} / 100 \text{ml}) \times 568 \text{ml} = 249.92 \text{ kcal}$$

Rounding up, this means a pint of Magners Dark Fruit contains approximately 250 calories. For context, this is a similar calorie count to other sweet, flavoured ciders.

Factors Influencing Cider's Calorie Content

Several factors contribute to the final calorie count of a cider, with the most significant being alcohol and sugar content.

Alcohol by Volume (ABV): Alcohol itself is calorific, containing around 7 calories per gram. Magners Dark Fruit has a 4% ABV, which is a major contributor to its energy content. Higher ABV drinks, even dry ciders, can contain more calories due to the alcohol itself.
Sugar Content: Sweetness in cider comes from residual sugars left after fermentation, as well as added sugars and flavourings. Fruit ciders, including Magners Dark Fruit with its blackcurrant and blackberry flavourings, tend to be sweeter and thus higher in sugar and calories than traditional apple ciders. Magners Dark Fruit contains 4.3g of sugar per 100ml.
Serving Size: The overall calorie count is, of course, directly proportional to the volume consumed. A pint (568ml) will contain more calories than a 500ml bottle or a 440ml can.

Comparing Magners Dark Fruit with Other Ciders

To put the calorie count of Magners Dark Fruit into perspective, it's useful to compare it with other popular ciders and beverages. The following table provides a comparison based on a 500ml serving, where data is readily available, as per search results.


Drink (500ml)	Calories (kcal)	ABV (%)	Sugar Content	Sweetness	Notes
Magners Dark Fruit	220	4.0%	21.5g* (4.3g/100ml)	Sweet	Fruity flavour adds to the sugar content.
Magners Original Cider	210	4.5%	Lower than fruit ciders	Medium-Sweet	Less sugar than Dark Fruit, but slightly higher ABV.
Strongbow Dark Fruit	200	4.0%	High	Sweet	Slightly lower calories than Magners Dark Fruit.
Kopparberg Mixed Fruit	275	4.0%	41g per pint	Very Sweet	One of the highest calorie fruit ciders.
Strongbow Original	175	5.0%	Low	Medium-Dry	High ABV, but lower sugar results in fewer calories.

*Sugar content for 500ml estimated from per 100ml data.

Healthier Alternatives and Considerations

For those looking to reduce their calorie or sugar intake, there are alternatives to consider. The key is to look for lower ABV or drier ciders, as both tend to have less sugar and therefore fewer calories.

Tips for a lighter cider choice:

Choose a drier cider: The drier the cider, the less sugar remains after fermentation. This results in a lower calorie count. For example, a medium cider typically has fewer calories than a sweet fruit cider.
Try lower-calorie alternatives: Some brands, like Strongbow, now offer 'light' versions of their ciders with a reduced calorie count. Some specialist brands, like Skinny Brands, offer very low-calorie fruit ciders.
Moderate your intake: As with any alcoholic beverage, consuming in moderation is the best way to manage calorie intake. Excessive alcohol consumption is linked to weight gain, particularly around the abdomen.

Ultimately, a pint of Magners Dark Fruit is a sweet, moderately calorific drink. While it's not the highest-calorie fruit cider on the market, it's not the lowest either. Understanding where these calories come from—namely the alcohol and added fruit flavourings—can help you make more informed choices about your consumption.

Conclusion

In summary, a pint (568ml) of Magners dark fruit cider contains approximately 250 calories, primarily from its 4% ABV and added fruit sugars. While this is a mid-range calorie count for a fruit-flavoured cider, it is significantly higher than drier apple ciders. For those mindful of their calorie intake, exploring low-calorie alternatives or moderating consumption is recommended. The refreshing and fruity flavour comes at a caloric cost that should be considered as part of an overall balanced diet. For more information on responsible drinking, visit Drinkaware.

Drinkaware: Alcohol and Calories

How to Enjoy Cider More Mindfully

Alternate with water: Interspersing alcoholic drinks with water helps to stay hydrated and can reduce overall calorie intake. It also helps to prevent excessive consumption.
Pair with food: Drinking cider with a meal can slow down alcohol absorption and make it a more substantial part of your overall calorie consumption for the day, rather than just an addition.
Use smaller glasses: Switching from a pint to a smaller 500ml bottle or a half-pint glass can help reduce the total calories per serving without sacrificing the experience.
Explore drier options: Experiment with drier apple ciders that naturally contain less sugar and fewer calories, providing a different flavour profile while being a lighter option.
Try mixing: Combining a smaller amount of the fruit cider with a low-calorie soda water can dilute the calories and sweetness while still retaining the flavour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Compared to many other alcoholic beverages, Magners Dark Fruit cider has a relatively moderate calorie count, but its sweetness and calories from alcohol can contribute to weight gain if consumed in excess.

Magners Dark Fruit contains around 220 calories per 500ml, while Strongbow Dark Fruit contains approximately 200 calories per 500ml. Magners has slightly more calories.

The calories in cider primarily come from two sources: the alcohol produced during fermentation and the residual sugars, including those from fruit juices and any sweeteners added.

Magners Dark Fruit has a sugar content of 4.3 grams per 100ml. For a pint (568ml), this amounts to approximately 24.4 grams of sugar.

Yes, dry ciders generally contain fewer calories than sweet fruit ciders. The longer fermentation process in dry ciders consumes more of the natural fruit sugars, resulting in lower residual sugar content.

For a lower-calorie alternative, consider a standard dry apple cider, a lighter fruit cider option, or a spirit mixed with a low-calorie mixer.

Some pints of beer can have similar or higher calories than Magners Dark Fruit, depending on the beer's strength and style. However, fruit ciders tend to be sweeter and higher in calories than the average pint of lager due to their sugar content.