How many calories are in haze cider? A detailed nutritional analysis

November 6, 2025 •

4 min read

According to Drinkaware, a single pint of cider can contain as many calories as a ring doughnut, which highlights why many people ask how many calories are in haze cider?. The exact number varies significantly by brand, alcohol content, and sweetness, but it's crucial for those monitoring their intake to know what they are consuming.

Quick Summary

The calorie count for haze cider fluctuates by brand and sugar content, with popular varieties like Thatchers Haze having approximately 245 calories per 500ml bottle. Key nutritional factors include both the alcohol and sugar percentages.

Key Points

Thatchers Haze Calories: A 500ml bottle of Thatchers Haze contains approximately 245 calories, making it a calorie-dense choice.
Strongbow Cloudy Apple Calories: A 500ml bottle of Strongbow Cloudy Apple provides around 230 calories, slightly less than Thatchers Haze.
Calorie Sources: The main calorie contributors in haze cider are the alcohol content (7 calories per gram) and the residual, unfermented sugar.
Sweetness and Calories: The sweeter flavor profile of most hazy ciders means they contain more residual sugar, and thus more calories, than drier cider varieties.
Dietary Considerations: Due to their high sugar and alcohol content, haze ciders contribute 'empty calories' to your diet and should be consumed in moderation, especially if weight management is a goal.
Craft Cider Variation: The calorie count in craft hazy ciders, such as those from Hudson North, can vary, so checking specific nutritional information is advisable.

Understanding the Nutritional Profile of Haze Cider

Haze, or cloudy, cider is known for its unfiltered appearance and often sweeter taste, which is a key factor in its calorie content. Unlike clear ciders where most of the natural sugars are fermented into alcohol, hazy versions can retain more residual sugar. The primary sources of calories in any alcoholic beverage, including cider, are alcohol itself and carbohydrates, mainly from sugar. At approximately 7 calories per gram, alcohol is a calorie-dense macronutrient, second only to fat.

Breakdown by Popular Brand

To answer the question of how many calories are in haze cider, we must look at specific examples from popular manufacturers. The calorie count can differ based on the serving size and the unique recipe of each brand.

Thatchers Haze Cloudy Somerset Cider: A 500ml bottle of this well-known cider contains approximately 245 calories. It has an ABV of 4.5% and a higher sugar content compared to drier ciders, contributing to its caloric value.
Strongbow Cloudy Apple Cider: A 500ml bottle of this option contains around 230 calories, with a 4.4% ABV. It is an example of a commercially available cloudy cider with a significant, though slightly lower, calorie count than some competitors.
Other Craft Hazy Ciders: Many smaller or regional craft brewers offer their own hazy or cloudy ciders. For example, Hudson North Cider Co. Dry Hazy Cider contains about 140 calories per 12 oz (355ml) serving. Calorie counts for these can vary widely, so it's always best to check the specific product information.

Factors Influencing Cider Calories

Several elements contribute to the final calorie count of a haze cider. Understanding these factors can help you make more mindful choices.

Alcohol by Volume (ABV): Since alcohol contains about 7 calories per gram, a higher ABV directly translates to a higher calorie count. This is why some dry, high-ABV ciders can still be relatively high in calories, even with less sugar.
Residual Sugars: This is the unfermented sugar left in the cider, often deliberately done to achieve a sweeter taste. Hazy ciders typically contain more residual sugar than their drier counterparts, significantly increasing their total calories.
Flavorings and Additives: Some fruit-flavored or sweetened hazy ciders may include additional sugar or concentrates, further boosting the caloric content. Always check the ingredients list for extra sweeteners.
Serving Size: Most nutritional data for cider is based on a standard bottle (e.g., 440ml or 500ml). If consuming a pint (568ml), the total calories will be higher than a smaller can.

Comparison with Other Popular Beverages

Knowing how haze cider stacks up against other drinks provides context for its nutritional impact. For those monitoring their diet, this comparison can be particularly helpful.


Beverage Type	Approximate Calories per 500ml (Pint)	Main Calorie Source(s)	Key Nutritional Difference
Haze Cider (4.5% ABV)	~230–245 calories	Alcohol, higher residual sugar	Higher in sugar than most beers.
Standard Lager (4.5% ABV)	~200 calories	Alcohol, lower residual sugar	Less sugar than cider, but similar alcohol calories.
Dry Cider (4.5% ABV)	~180–200 calories	Alcohol, less residual sugar	Lower in sugar and total calories than haze cider.
Sweet Fruit Cider	~275 calories+	Alcohol, very high residual sugar	Significantly higher sugar and calories than plain apple cider.
White Wine (12% ABV)	~400 calories [Calculated]	Alcohol, some residual sugar	Much higher alcohol content means more calories per volume, but standard servings are smaller.

Making Informed Choices

While haze cider can be a delicious treat, moderation is key for anyone watching their calorie intake. For those aiming for a lower-calorie option, drier ciders or lighter beers are often a better choice. When you do enjoy a haze cider, consider it as an indulgence rather than a regular staple and factor it into your overall daily calorie budget.

This is especially important considering that the calories in alcoholic beverages are often referred to as 'empty calories', meaning they provide no nutritional value beyond the energy they contain. The calories in alcohol can also affect appetite and inhibit healthy decision-making, so mindful consumption is important.

Conclusion

Haze cider is a tasty but often high-calorie alcoholic beverage, primarily due to its combination of alcohol and higher residual sugar content. The calories can range from around 140 for a small serving of a specific dry hazy cider to over 245 for a 500ml bottle of a popular brand like Thatchers Haze. For individuals on a diet, being aware of these numbers is essential. By understanding the factors at play and comparing haze cider to other drinks, consumers can make more informed choices that align with their health and fitness goals. For those looking to reduce their calorie intake, exploring drier alternatives or limiting consumption can be effective strategies.

For more information on the nutritional content of alcohol and its effects on your health, consult authoritative sources such as Drinkaware.

Frequently Asked Questions

The sweetness of a cider directly correlates with its residual sugar content. Since sugar is a source of carbohydrates and calories, sweeter ciders with more unfermented sugar will have a higher calorie count than drier ones.

Generally, yes. Drier ciders contain less residual sugar because more of the sugar has been fermented into alcohol. While the alcohol content might be similar, the reduction in sugar typically results in a lower overall calorie count.

Haze ciders often have more calories than a standard lager due to their higher sugar content, even at a similar alcohol percentage. They generally have fewer calories per standard serving than a glass of high-ABV wine, though this depends heavily on the specific product.

Cider is fermented from fruit juice, which is high in natural sugars. During fermentation, yeast converts these sugars into alcohol. Since both alcohol (7 calories/g) and any remaining unfermented sugar (4 calories/g) contain calories, they are the primary energy sources in the final product.

Nutritional information for cider is commonly provided per 100ml. To find the calorie count for a specific serving, such as a 440ml can or 500ml bottle, you would multiply the 'per 100ml' value by the number of milliliters in your serving divided by 100.

The haze itself, which comes from unfiltered particles, does not significantly contribute to calories. However, the cloudy appearance is often associated with higher residual sugar content, as brewers leave more unfermented sweetness to achieve that taste profile, which does increase the calories.

Yes, many brands now offer lower-calorie alternatives. These often achieve a lower calorie count by reducing the sugar content. Looking for 'light' or 'dry' versions of cider will usually lead you to options with fewer calories.