How many calories are in cosmic crisp alcohol? An imperial cider calorie breakdown

November 8, 2025 •

4 min read

While a medium Cosmic Crisp apple is a low-calorie snack with about 100 calories, the calorie count for Cosmic Crisp alcohol is much higher. The 2 Towns Imperial Cosmic Crisp hard cider, with its 8% ABV, contains a significant number of calories derived from both alcohol and remaining sugars.

Quick Summary

The calorie count for Cosmic Crisp hard cider is significantly higher than the fresh apple, as the fermentation process adds calories from alcohol. The 8% ABV imperial version from 2 Towns Ciderhouse likely contains over 160 calories per 12oz can, contrasting with the brand's low-calorie non-alcoholic alternative.

Key Points

Alcoholic vs. Non-Alcoholic: The calorie count is drastically different, with the alcoholic imperial cider containing significantly more than the non-alcoholic Sidekick version.
Calorie Source: Calories in Cosmic Crisp alcohol come from both the fermented alcohol (7 kcal/g) and any leftover residual sugars (4 kcal/g).
High ABV = Higher Calories: The 8% ABV of the Imperial Cosmic Crisp cider contributes to its higher calorie count, likely over 160 calories per 12oz can.
Non-Alcoholic Option: The Cosmic Crisp Sidekick non-alcoholic cider is a low-calorie alternative with only 50 calories per 12oz can.
Beyond Alcohol: Factors like residual sugar and added ingredients in flavored ciders also impact the final calorie total.
Consumer Awareness: The old, unverified 110-calorie figure for the Imperial Cosmic Crisp is likely misleading, as the alcohol content alone accounts for more calories.

Understanding Cosmic Crisp Alcohol: The Product vs. the Fruit

Before delving into the numbers, it's crucial to clarify the distinction between a Cosmic Crisp apple and Cosmic Crisp alcohol. A medium-sized Cosmic Crisp apple contains approximately 100 calories and is fat-free. However, when used to make an alcoholic beverage like hard cider, the fermentation process drastically changes the nutritional profile. 2 Towns Ciderhouse, for instance, produces an Imperial Cosmic Crisp hard cider, which is a gluten-free, 8% ABV drink crafted from fresh-pressed apples. The final calorie count is a result of both the alcohol produced and any unfermented residual sugars.

The Calorie Breakdown of Imperial Cosmic Crisp Cider

Information regarding the exact calorie count of the 2 Towns Imperial Cosmic Crisp hard cider has caused some confusion. A Reddit discussion highlighted that an old, unofficial calorie count of 110 calories per 12oz can for the 8% ABV cider is likely inaccurate. The calculation for calories in an alcoholic beverage is based on two main components: the alcohol itself and any leftover sugars. Alcohol contains approximately 7 calories per gram, while carbohydrates (including sugars) contain about 4 calories per gram.

Using these values, we can estimate the minimum calorie count for the imperial cider. A 12 fl oz can of 8% ABV cider contains approximately 22.4 grams of ethanol. Multiplying that by 7 calories per gram gives us about 157 calories from the alcohol alone. This figure does not include any residual sugars, which would further increase the total calorie count. Therefore, a realistic estimate for the 2 Towns Imperial Cosmic Crisp is likely closer to 180-200 calories per 12oz can, consistent with other high-ABV craft ciders.

Factors Influencing Cider Calories

Several factors play a significant role in the final calorie count of a cider:

Alcohol by Volume (ABV): Higher ABV means a higher calorie count, as alcohol provides a potent source of energy.
Residual Sugar: This refers to the sugar remaining after fermentation. The sweeter the cider, the higher the residual sugar content and the higher the calories.
Added Ingredients: Some ciders, like 2 Towns' Spiced Apple Cosmic Crisp, include additional ingredients such as cinnamon, allspice, and orange peel, which can contribute to the flavor but may also add calories depending on the preparation.
Processing: The specific fermentation and filtration processes used by the ciderhouse also affect the final sugar and calorie levels. Craft ciders, especially, can vary widely.

Comparison Table: Cosmic Crisp Alcohol vs. Other Cider Options


Beverage	Serving Size	ABV (%)	Estimated Calories	Notes
Imperial Cosmic Crisp Cider	12 fl oz can	8.0%	~180-200+	Higher calories due to high alcohol content and residual sugars.
Cosmic Crisp Sidekick	12 fl oz can	<0.5%	50	Low-calorie, non-alcoholic option from 2 Towns Ciderhouse.
Average Sweet Cider	12 fl oz serving	4.5%	~140-150	Calorie count includes both alcohol and unfermented sugars typical of sweeter ciders.
Medium Cosmic Crisp Apple	1 medium fruit	0%	100	Natural, non-alcoholic source of calories from fruit sugars.

Cosmic Crisp Sidekick: The Non-Alcoholic Alternative

For those seeking the Cosmic Crisp apple flavor without the high calorie and alcohol content, 2 Towns Ciderhouse offers the Cosmic Crisp Sidekick. This non-alcoholic version is explicitly labeled as having only 50 calories per 12 fl oz can, making it a much lighter option. It's a dealcoholized cider, meaning the alcohol is removed after a full fermentation process, resulting in a crisp, clean taste with significantly fewer calories. This provides a great point of comparison and an alternative for calorie-conscious consumers.

How to Manage Calories from Alcoholic Cider

For individuals monitoring their caloric intake, understanding the source of calories in alcoholic cider is key. Since alcohol itself is a concentrated source of calories (7 kcal/g), a higher ABV will almost always correlate with more calories, even in 'dry' ciders where most sugar is fermented. To minimize calories from cider, you can choose lower-ABV options or non-alcoholic alternatives like the Sidekick. Alternatively, you can limit your serving size and frequency. Understanding that calories from alcohol are often considered 'empty' and provide no nutritional value beyond energy can also help manage consumption.

For more detailed nutritional information and a breakdown of their products, you can visit the official website for 2 Towns Ciderhouse.

Conclusion

There is no single answer to "how many calories are in cosmic crisp alcohol" without specifying the product. The fresh apple has only about 100 calories, while the alcoholic imperial cider from 2 Towns Ciderhouse, with 8% ABV, contains over 160 calories per 12oz can from its alcohol and residual sugars. The non-alcoholic Sidekick version provides a low-calorie alternative at 50 calories. When tracking calories, it's important to consider both the alcohol content and residual sugar level, as both contribute significantly to the total energy in a hard cider.

Frequently Asked Questions

While old, unverified sources mentioned 110 calories, a 12oz can of this 8% ABV cider realistically contains well over 160 calories, primarily from the alcohol content and residual sugars.

The Cosmic Crisp Sidekick, a non-alcoholic hard cider from 2 Towns Ciderhouse, contains only 50 calories per 12 fl oz can.

Hard cider has more calories because the fermentation process converts the apple juice's natural sugars into alcohol. Alcohol is more calorically dense than sugar, adding a significant amount of extra calories.

Yes, generally a higher ABV (alcohol by volume) means more calories, because alcohol contains 7 calories per gram. This is the main contributor to the high calorie content in imperial ciders.

It depends on the specific product. A standard 8% ABV Imperial Cosmic Crisp cider is higher in calories than many average beers, but lower-ABV ciders can sometimes be comparable or lower than certain beers.

You can estimate calories by calculating the calories from the alcohol (ABV x volume x density x 7) and adding the calories from residual sugars. Most consumers rely on official product labels or nutritional estimates.

Yes, 2 Towns Ciderhouse produces several variants, like Imperial, Spiced Apple, and non-alcoholic. Each has a different recipe and ABV, resulting in varying calorie counts.