How Much Sugar Is in Pressed Juice, Cider, and Seltzer?

November 11, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the World Health Organization, limiting daily free sugar intake to less than 10% of total calories is recommended, a benchmark often exceeded by a single bottle of pressed juice or cider. The amount of sugar in "press" products varies significantly depending on the specific beverage, from natural sugars in fresh juices to added sugars in some hard seltzers.

Quick Summary

This article details the sugar content across different 'pressed' beverages like juice, cider, and seltzer. It provides insights into natural versus added sugars and offers practical tips for making informed, lower-sugar drink choices.

Key Points

Pressed juice sugar is high: Even freshly pressed juices can contain concentrated amounts of natural sugar because the fiber is removed during pressing.
Cider sugar varies greatly: Sugar content in cider can range from low in dry varieties to extremely high in sweet or fruit-flavored types due to added sweeteners.
Hard seltzer offers low sugar: Some hard seltzer brands, like PRESS, intentionally keep their sugar content low, with flavors often containing only 5g per serving.
Understand natural vs. added sugar: While the body processes both similarly, added sugars offer empty calories, while natural sugars from whole fruit sources come with nutrients and fiber.
Check labels for health: Reading the nutrition label is the only way to be sure of the sugar content in a "pressed" beverage, as the term applies to many different drink types.
Moderate consumption is key: Due to the high concentration of free sugars, even fresh juices should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Demystifying Sugar Content in Pressed Beverages

The term "press" can refer to several different types of drinks, and the amount of sugar in each can differ dramatically. Understanding these differences is crucial for anyone monitoring their sugar intake for health reasons, whether for managing weight, preventing type 2 diabetes, or simply maintaining a balanced diet. This guide breaks down the sugar profiles of the most common pressed products: fresh juice, cider, and hard seltzer.

The Sugar in Freshly Pressed Juices

Many consumers view fresh juice as a health drink, but it often contains high concentrations of natural sugar. The pressing process extracts juice from fruits, leaving behind the beneficial fiber that helps slow the body's absorption of sugar. Without this fiber, the body processes the sugar rapidly, which can cause blood sugar spikes similar to those from sugary sodas. For example, a single cup (8 ounces) of apple cider, which is essentially pressed apple juice, can contain around 24 grams of sugar. A cup of orange juice can pack up to 34 grams of sugar, depending on the oranges used. The sugar is composed primarily of fructose, glucose, and sucrose, with specific ratios varying by fruit type. While fresh juice provides vitamins and minerals, its concentrated sugar load should be consumed in moderation.

Alcohol Seltzers from the 'Press' Brand

Some consumers may be curious about the popular 'PRESS' brand of alcohol seltzer. Unlike fruit juices, these beverages undergo fermentation and typically contain a modest amount of sugar. For instance, most flavors of PRESS Premium Alcohol Seltzer contain 5 grams of sugar per 12 oz serving. This is a deliberate part of their formulation to maintain a lower calorie count compared to many ciders and sodas. The sugar content here is a blend of fermented and residual sugars, often much lower than other alcoholic options. This low-sugar profile is a key part of their marketing strategy, targeting health-conscious consumers looking for lighter alcoholic drinks.

The Surprising Sugar Levels in Ciders

Cider, which is fermented pressed apple juice, is a beverage where sugar content can vary wildly. Many commercial ciders, particularly flavored ones, contain significant amounts of added sugar to sweeten the product and balance the tartness of the apples. A pint of some fruit-flavored ciders can contain as much as 48 grams of sugar, exceeding the amount found in some cans of cola. The total sugar depends heavily on the brand and fermentation process. Dry ciders will generally have less sugar as more of it is converted to alcohol during fermentation, while sweet ciders retain a higher sugar content. This wide variation makes checking the nutritional label essential for cider drinkers concerned about sugar intake.

Natural vs. Added Sugar: The Key Distinction

It is important to differentiate between the natural sugars in fresh juices and the added sugars in processed beverages. While the body processes both similarly, the context of consumption matters.

Natural Sugars: In fresh juices, sugar comes packaged with vitamins, minerals, and other bioactive compounds. However, since the fiber is removed, the impact on blood sugar can be sharp, though the nutritional profile is better than soda.

Added Sugars: In products like many ciders or certain prepared juices, sugar is added during processing. This provides only empty calories with no nutritional benefits and contributes directly to higher free sugar intake, which health organizations advise limiting.

Making Healthier Choices: How to Reduce Sugar Intake from 'Press' Drinks

Reducing sugar from these beverages is straightforward. For juice lovers, consider making smoothies instead, which retain the fiber from the whole fruit, or dilute juices with water to cut sugar content. When choosing cider, opt for dry varieties that naturally contain less residual sugar due to longer fermentation. For hard seltzer, read labels carefully and choose brands like PRESS that have transparently low sugar and calorie counts. A mindful approach to reading labels and understanding the production process of each 'pressed' drink is the best strategy for managing sugar intake.

Comparison Table: Sugar in Common 'Pressed' Drinks


Beverage Type	Example	Serving Size	Approximate Sugar Content	Key Sugar Type(s)	Notes
Fresh Pressed Juice	Apple Juice	8 oz	~24g	Fructose, Glucose, Sucrose	Natural sugars, but high concentration due to fiber removal.
Hard Seltzer	PRESS Seltzer	12 oz	5g	Fermented/Residual Sugars	Low sugar, often targeting health-conscious consumers.
Sweet Cider	Flavored Cider	Pint	Up to 48g	Natural, Added	High sugar, similar to soda, from added sugars.
Dry Cider	Dry Apple Cider	Pint	<10g	Fermented/Residual Sugars	Lower sugar due to more complete fermentation.

Conclusion

The term "press" can refer to beverages with vastly different nutritional profiles, particularly concerning their sugar content. Freshly pressed fruit juices, while containing natural sugars, often concentrate these sugars by removing fiber, leading to a high-sugar load. Ciders vary significantly, with sweet, flavored options being particularly high in both natural and added sugars. Conversely, low-sugar hard seltzers like PRESS offer an option with minimal sugar. Ultimately, the best approach is to always check nutritional information, understand the distinction between natural and added sugars, and moderate consumption to stay within recommended daily limits.

Key Takeaways

High Natural Sugar in Fresh Juice: While natural, the sugar in pressed fruit juice is concentrated and lacks fiber, impacting blood sugar levels similarly to sugary sodas.
Varying Cider Sugar: The sugar content in cider ranges from low (dry varieties) to very high (sweet, flavored options), with many containing added sugars.
Low Sugar Hard Seltzer: Brands like PRESS are formulated for a lower sugar profile, often containing only 5g of sugar per serving, positioning them as lighter alternatives.
Natural vs. Added: The body processes all sugar similarly, but natural sugars in whole fruits come with more nutrients than empty-calorie added sugars.
Read Labels for Better Choices: Always check the nutrition facts on beverages to differentiate between products and make healthier, informed decisions.
Dilute and Moderate: Consider diluting juices with water or opting for smoothies to retain fiber and reduce overall sugar consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not necessarily. Freshly pressed juice often concentrates the natural sugars from fruits and removes the fiber. An 8-ounce serving of fresh orange juice, for example, can have a high sugar content, sometimes even more than a can of soda.

The PRESS Premium Alcohol Seltzer brand typically contains 5 grams of sugar per 12-ounce serving. They are marketed as a low-sugar and low-calorie alternative to other alcoholic beverages.

The sugar content in cider varies significantly. While some dry ciders have minimal residual sugar, many commercial and fruit-flavored ciders contain substantial amounts of added sugar to achieve a sweeter taste profile.

From a metabolic perspective, the body processes natural sugars and added sugars in similar ways once the fiber is removed. However, fresh juice contains additional vitamins and antioxidants, unlike soda which offers only empty calories. Health organizations still classify the sugar in juice as "free sugars," advising moderation.

For juice, you can dilute it with water to lower the sugar concentration. For cider, opt for dry varieties over sweet or flavored ones. A mindful approach to portion sizes is also key to controlling sugar intake.

No. Juices pressed from vegetables, particularly leafy greens and low-sugar options like cucumber and celery, will naturally have a much lower sugar content than fruit juices. However, adding high-sugar vegetables like beets or carrots can increase the sugar level.

While it is natural, the high concentration of sugar in pressed fruit drinks can lead to health concerns if consumed excessively. The lack of fiber means the sugar is absorbed rapidly, which can negatively impact blood sugar levels and overall health over time.