What Cider Has the Most Sugar? A Guide to Nutrition and Your Drink Choices

October 27, 2025 •

4 min read

Did you know that some fruit ciders can pack in over 60 grams of sugar per 500ml bottle, exceeding the sugar content of a standard can of Coca-Cola? For those mindful of their intake, understanding what cider has the most sugar is a vital step toward making better-informed dietary choices and managing your nutrition.

Quick Summary

This guide reveals the ciders highest in sugar, explaining that sweet fruit-flavored and dessert-style varieties contain the most. It compares sugar levels across popular brands and details how fermentation and added sugars impact the final product. Practical tips are provided to help consumers choose lower-sugar options.

Key Points

High-Sugar Brands: Brothers Toffee Apple and most fruit-flavored ciders like Rekorderlig and Kopparberg typically have the highest sugar content.
Fermentation Impacts Sugar: The fermentation process determines a cider's sweetness; stopping it early leaves more residual sugar.
Dry Ciders are Low in Sugar: Traditional dry apple ciders, like Stowford Press, generally contain significantly less sugar than sweet or flavored varieties.
Read Labels for Clarity: Always check the nutrition label for the sugar content per serving, as it varies widely and isn't always obvious from the taste.
Low-Sugar Alternatives Exist: Brands like Skinny Fruit Cider offer zero-sugar options, but it's important to be aware of artificial sweeteners and overall calories.
Moderation is Key: Even with lower-sugar options, remember that alcohol contains its own calories, and mindful consumption is always best for dietary health.

The Hidden Sweetness in Your Cider

Cider has long been a popular alcoholic beverage, but its nutritional content can vary dramatically from one brand to another. Many modern ciders, especially those with added fruit flavors or a very sweet taste profile, contain a surprisingly large amount of sugar. For those trying to moderate their sugar intake for health or dietary reasons, this can be a major consideration.

The Ciders with the Highest Sugar Content

Based on available data, certain ciders stand out for their exceptionally high sugar levels:

Brothers Toffee Apple Cider: Often cited as one of the most sugary ciders, with around 12.1g of sugar per 100ml. A 500ml bottle can contain an astonishing 61g of sugar, more than double the recommended daily free sugar intake for an adult.
Brothers Strawberry & Cream: Another high-sugar contender from the Brothers brand, containing 11.4g of sugar per 100ml.
Brothers Wild Fruit: With 9.7g of sugar per 100ml, this is also a very sweet choice.
Rekorderlig Wild Berries: A popular fruit cider that contains a significant 8.5g of sugar per 100ml, which equates to 43g in a 500ml bottle.
Kopparberg Strawberry & Lime: This sweet, fruit-flavored cider contains 8.3g of sugar per 100ml.

The Reason Behind the High Sugar Levels

Several factors contribute to the high sugar content in certain ciders:

Fruit Flavorings: Ciders with added fruit flavorings, such as berries, pear, or passionfruit, are almost always higher in sugar. These added ingredients and syrups introduce extra sugar into the final product to achieve a sweeter taste profile.
Fermentation Process: The amount of sugar left in the cider is heavily influenced by the fermentation process. During fermentation, yeast consumes the natural sugars from the apples and converts them into alcohol. When the fermentation is stopped early, more residual sugar remains, resulting in a sweeter and more sugary cider.
Added Sugars and Sweeteners: Many commercial cider brands add extra sugar or sweeteners after fermentation to control the sweetness and flavor profile. This practice is common in fruit-flavored and dessert-style ciders to give them a taste that appeals to a wider consumer base.
Not All Sugar is Natural: While apples naturally contain sugar, many ciders have added sugar. It's crucial to check the nutrition label for 'added sugars' to understand the true sweetener content, especially in no-alcohol versions, which can still be high in sugar.

Comparison of Popular Ciders by Sugar Content

To illustrate the wide range in sugar content, here is a comparison of some popular ciders. This table highlights how much a consumer's sugar intake can vary depending on their brand choice.


Cider Brand	Type	Sugar (per 100ml)	Sugar (per 500ml bottle/pint)	Key Observation
Brothers Toffee Apple	Flavored/Sweet	12.1g	61g	Exceeds a can of soda; very high sugar
Rekorderlig Wild Berries	Flavored/Sweet	8.5g	43g	High sugar for a fruit cider
Kopparberg Strawberry & Lime	Flavored/Sweet	8.3g	42g	Sweet profile means higher sugar content
Magner's Irish Cider	Apple/Sweet	~9.2g	46g (per pint)	Sweet apple cider with considerable sugar
Bulmers Original	Apple	~3.2g	16g (per pint)	Moderate sugar for a standard apple cider
Strongbow Original	Apple	~3.2g	16g (per pint)	Moderate sugar for a standard apple cider
Stowford Press	Traditional/Dry	1.0g	5g (per 500ml)	One of the lowest sugar options
Skinny Fruit Cider Mixed Berries	Flavored/Low-sugar	0g	0g (per 330ml bottle)	Specifically crafted to be sugar-free

How to Choose a Lower-Sugar Cider for Your Diet

For those who enjoy cider but want to reduce their sugar consumption, making an informed choice is key. Here are some actionable tips:

Choose Dry Ciders: The driest ciders have the lowest sugar content because the yeast has fermented most of the sugar. These often have a less sweet, more tart apple taste. Look for products labeled 'dry' on the bottle.
Stick to Plain Apple Flavors: Ciders with added fruit flavors almost always contain more sugar. Opt for a classic, plain apple cider to keep sugar levels in check.
Read the Nutrition Label: This is the most reliable method. Check the 'Sugars' line on the nutritional information to see exactly how much you are consuming per serving. Be mindful of brands that sweeten with zero-calorie sweeteners.
Consider Low-Sugar Brands: Some brands specifically cater to health-conscious consumers by producing low or zero-sugar ciders, such as Skinny Fruit Cider.
Moderate Consumption: Even with lower-sugar ciders, moderation is important. The calories from alcohol itself still contribute to your overall intake.

Conclusion: Making a Mindful Drink Choice

Understanding what cider has the most sugar allows you to make more mindful dietary decisions. While sweet, fruit-flavored ciders can be tempting, they often carry a heavy sugar load that can impact your health and diet goals. Opting for a drier, traditional apple cider or a specially formulated low-sugar brand is a simple way to enjoy the beverage while keeping your sugar intake in check. As with any treat, awareness and moderation are the keys to a balanced and healthy lifestyle. For more information on alcohol and its impact on your diet, Drinkaware is a reliable resource.

Drinkaware: Alcohol and Sugar

Glossary

Fermentation: The process where yeast converts sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide.
Residual Sugar: The unfermented sugar left in a cider, which determines its sweetness.
Dry Cider: A cider where most of the sugar has been fermented, resulting in a less sweet taste.
Free Sugars: Any sugars added to food or drinks, as well as sugars naturally present in honey, syrups, and fruit juices.

How Sugar Affects Your Body

Excessive sugar consumption can have several negative health effects, from weight gain and increased risk of type 2 diabetes to dental health issues. Choosing a low-sugar cider can be one small but effective step towards reducing these risks, especially for those who consume sugary drinks regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions

According to nutritional comparisons, Brothers Toffee Apple Cider is often cited as having one of the highest sugar contents, with 12.1g per 100ml.

In general, yes. Fruit-flavored ciders like berry or tropical fruit varieties typically have higher sugar levels due to added fruit concentrates and syrups used to achieve their sweet taste.

To find a low-sugar cider, look for products labeled as 'dry' or 'traditional apple.' Some brands, like Skinny Fruit Cider, also explicitly market themselves as low or zero-sugar.

The relationship is complex, but generally, a high-alcohol cider can still be high in sugar if fermentation was stopped early or if extra sugar was added. However, alcohol and sugar both contribute to total calories.

Not necessarily. Some non-alcoholic or low-ABV ciders can still have high sugar content because the sugar isn't fermented into alcohol. Always check the nutritional label, especially for 0% ABV versions.

The fermentation process converts sugar into alcohol. A shorter fermentation period leaves more residual sugar, resulting in a sweeter cider. A longer, more complete fermentation leads to a drier, less sugary cider.

No, calories in cider come from both sugar and alcohol. Alcohol itself is very calorie-dense, providing about seven calories per gram, which is almost as many as fat.

Dry ciders have very low residual sugar but may not be completely sugar-free. For example, Stowford Press is a dry cider with only 1g of sugar per 100ml.

Yes, but moderation and mindful choices are important. Opting for lower-sugar varieties and enjoying cider as an occasional treat rather than a regular staple helps manage sugar and calorie intake.