Which Cider Has the Least Sugar in It?

November 7, 2025 •

3 min read

According to DrinkWell UK, Stowford Press has one of the lowest sugar contents among popular ciders, with just 1 gram per 100 ml. This fact highlights the significant variation in sweetness across different brands, making it crucial for consumers to know which cider has the least sugar in it before they buy.

Quick Summary

A dry cider, which ferments almost all of its natural sugars, typically has the least sugar. Brands like Stowford Press and Skinny Fruit Cider are known for their very low or zero sugar content, often relying on sweeteners for taste. Reading labels for terms like 'dry' or checking nutritional information is essential for finding the best option for your diet.

Key Points

Dry ciders are the lowest in sugar: Ciders labeled 'dry' or 'brut' have the least amount of residual sugar because the yeast has consumed most of it during a longer fermentation process.
Avoid fruit-flavored ciders for low sugar: Many fruit-flavored commercial ciders, such as Bulmers Toffee Apple, contain significantly more added sugar than traditional apple ciders.
Check for zero-sugar brands: Several brands, like Thornbury Zero Sugar and Skinny Fruit Cider, have created products with 0g of sugar, often using alternative sweeteners to maintain a desirable flavor.
Stowford Press is a low-sugar option: It is consistently cited as having a low sugar count among major brands, with just 1g per 100ml.
Read the label carefully: For ciders without explicit 'dry' or 'zero sugar' labeling, checking the nutritional information on the back is the most reliable way to confirm sugar content.
Artisan and small-batch ciders can be lower in sugar: These products often rely on natural fermentation and less on added sweeteners, resulting in lower sugar levels.
Homebrewing offers ultimate sugar control: Making your own cider at home allows you to control the entire fermentation process and ensure a sugar-free final product.

Demystifying Cider: The Journey from Sweet to Dry

Cider is made by fermenting apple juice, and the sugar content is largely determined by how long the fermentation process is allowed to run. Yeast consumes the natural sugars in the apple juice, converting them into alcohol and carbon dioxide. In dry ciders, this process is allowed to continue until most of the sugar is consumed, resulting in a less sweet and more alcoholic beverage. In contrast, sweet ciders have the fermentation process stopped early, leaving behind more residual sugar. Additionally, some modern commercial ciders add extra sugar or sweeteners to enhance flavor, making them significantly sweeter and higher in calories. Knowing the difference is key for anyone watching their sugar intake.

How to Identify a Low-Sugar Cider

Choosing a low-sugar cider requires more than just a quick glance at the label. Here are some factors to consider:

Look for 'Dry' or 'Brut' on the Label: These terms indicate that most of the sugar was fermented out. Many traditional, artisan ciders are naturally drier than mass-produced, sweeter varieties.
Avoid 'Fruit-Flavored' Ciders: Ciders with added fruit juices and other flavorings are almost always significantly higher in sugar. Brands like Bulmers Toffee Apple and some fruit-flavored Kopparberg varieties are notorious for their high sugar content.
Check the Nutritional Information: Though not always prominently displayed, checking the sugar content per 100ml or per pint is the most accurate method. Companies that specialize in low-sugar drinks, like SkinnyBrands, will often highlight this information.
Choose Traditional, Small-Batch Producers: These cidermakers often prioritize natural fermentation over added sugars and artificial sweeteners, resulting in a more complex, less sweet product.

Popular Low-Sugar Cider Brands

Several brands cater specifically to health-conscious consumers looking for low-sugar options. These can be categorized into standard and zero-sugar varieties.

Stowford Press: Known for its comparatively low sugar count, with only 1g of sugar per 100ml.
Angry Orchard Crisp Light: A specific light variety designed for lower calories and sugar, appealing to mainstream drinkers.
Austin Eastciders Original Dry: This brand focuses on natural ingredients and minimal added sugar, offering a crisp, clean taste with a moderate ABV.
Thornbury Zero Sugar Apple Cider: Made from fresh-pressed apples, this is a dedicated zero-sugar option for those who want no residual sugar.
Skinny Fruit Cider: With zero sugar and low calories, this option uses sweeteners to achieve its fruit flavor profile, as highlighted on SkinnyBrands' website.

Low-Sugar Cider Comparison Table

For easy reference, here is a comparison of some popular ciders and their approximate sugar content.


Cider Brand (Variety)	Type	Sugar (per 100ml)	Notes
Stowford Press (Classic)	Dry/Medium Dry	~1g	A widely available, low-sugar option.
Austin Eastciders (Original Dry)	Dry	Very Low	Focuses on minimal added sugar.
Angry Orchard (Crisp Light)	Light	Low (Specific to 'Light')	A mainstream, lower-sugar alternative.
Skinny Fruit Cider (Mixed Berries)	Fruit Flavored	0g	Uses sweeteners instead of sugar.
Thornbury Zero Sugar Apple Cider	Dry	0g	Made from fresh-pressed apples with no sugar.
INCH'S Cider (River)	Medium Dry	3.4g	A lower-sugar offering from the INCH'S brand.
Strongbow (Original)	Medium Sweet	~3.2g	Considerably higher than true dry ciders.
Bulmers (Toffee Apple)	Sweet	12.1g	One of the highest-sugar options.

Conclusion

Finding the cider with the least sugar in it depends on your preference for taste and your willingness to seek out specific brands. As a rule of thumb, opt for dry or brut varieties, which are naturally lower in sugar due to a complete fermentation process. Always be wary of heavily flavored ciders, which often hide high levels of added sugar. For the ultimate zero-sugar experience, dedicated brands like Skinny Fruit Cider or Thornbury Zero Sugar offer excellent options, though they may rely on artificial sweeteners. Reading nutritional labels and understanding the difference between dry and sweet ciders empowers you to make a more informed, health-conscious choice without sacrificing enjoyment. For those interested in homebrewing, controlling the fermentation process yourself is the surest way to guarantee a low-sugar product.

For more detailed information on hard cider production and styles, visit the American Cider Association blog.

Frequently Asked Questions

Generally, yes. The term 'dry' indicates that most of the natural apple sugars have been fermented into alcohol. While not always completely sugar-free, dry ciders contain significantly less residual sugar than medium or sweet varieties.

Among widely available brands, Stowford Press is frequently cited as having one of the lowest sugar contents, at about 1g per 100ml. However, dedicated low or zero-sugar brands like Skinny Fruit Cider and Thornbury Zero Sugar have even lower, or no, sugar content.

Yes, zero-sugar ciders are available. These are typically made with zero residual sugar and rely on non-sugar sweeteners to achieve a pleasant taste, such as those produced by SkinnyBrands or Thornbury.

Sweet ciders have the fermentation process intentionally stopped early, leaving more residual sugar. Additionally, many mass-market ciders, especially fruit-flavored ones, have a large amount of extra sugar added after fermentation to create a sweeter, more palatable taste for some consumers.

Yes, cider is generally higher in sugar than beer, as its alcohol content comes from fermenting naturally sugary fruit juice. Beer, on the other hand, is brewed from fermented grains, which do not have as much sugar initially.

In a bar setting, where nutritional labels aren't available, your best bet is to ask for a 'dry' or 'traditional' cider, which will have less sugar than fruit-flavored or sweeter mainstream brands. You can also ask the bartender for recommendations based on low sweetness.

While most fruit-flavored ciders are significantly higher in sugar, there are exceptions. Brands like Skinny Fruit Cider have developed zero-sugar fruit versions that rely on sweeteners instead. However, without a low-sugar claim on the label, you should assume a fruit cider is high in sugar.