Hard cider has quickly evolved from being a niche beverage to a beloved drink across the U.S. While craft beers and hard seltzers are seeing fluctuations in popularity, hard cider remains on an upward trend. Sales of regional brands rose by 5.8%, and canned cider sales saw a 7% increase in early 2024.
With a wide array of flavors, including options that range from sweet to dry, hard cider has become a refreshing alternative to beer and wine.
To help you navigate this ever-growing cider market, I tasted 10 hard ciders to find the best one. Here’s the breakdown:
1. Stella Artois Cidre
- Calories (per 12 oz.): 180
- ABV: 4.5%
- Taste Profile: Stella Artois Cidre is an apple-forward, European-style cider with a light and refreshing flavor. It’s slightly on the sweeter side but also has a strange, beer-like quality due to its lager roots. The added sugars (16g) contribute to its sweetness, but the taste can be a bit muddled. The cider has an acidity that helps balance the sweetness but falls short in delivering a clean, crisp finish. The clear glass bottle also makes it stand out on shelves, though the lack of foam and head retention may be a turn-off for some cider fans.
- Conclusion: It’s decent but a little unbalanced. You may enjoy this cider if you prefer sweeter beverages and like a hint of beer flavor in your drinks.
2. Angry Orchard Crisp Apple
- Calories (per 12 oz.): 180
- ABV: 5%
- Taste Profile: Angry Orchard Crisp Apple is one of the most recognized ciders in the U.S. and has a sweet, candy-like flavor that’s easy to drink. The company claims each bottle contains “two apples,” and the cider delivers strong apple flavors with a touch of acidity to keep it from being overwhelmingly sweet. However, it doesn’t offer much complexity beyond the basic apple profile.
- Conclusion: Great for those who want a simple, sweet, and traditional apple cider. It’s not overly complex but perfect for casual drinking.
3. Brlo Rosé Cider
- Calories (per 12 oz.): 196
- ABV: 4.5%
- Taste Profile: Brlo Rosé Cider is a pink cider made with rhubarb and pomegranate, giving it a fruity, soda-like sweetness. The bubbles are big and bold, and while the sweetness is balanced, it doesn’t have much depth in flavor. The carbonation is also more aggressive than other ciders, which can make it feel more like a fizzy fruit drink than a traditional cider.
- Conclusion: Best enjoyed as a light, fruity alternative to soda. It’s fun and flavorful but might lack complexity for cider enthusiasts.
4. Stowe High & Dry Cider
- Calories (per 19.2 oz.): 216
- ABV: 6.5%
- Taste Profile: Stowe High & Dry is a crisp, dry cider that leans toward the refreshing, sharp side. It has a slight minerality that reminds you of a sauvignon blanc, with minimal sweetness and a clean, dry finish. This cider is perfect for those who prefer their drinks light, refreshing, and not too sweet.
- Conclusion: If you enjoy dry wines or crisp ciders, this one will satisfy your palate. It’s refreshing, light, and a great alternative to sugary options.
5. Austin Eastciders Original Dry Cider
- Calories (per 16 oz.): 240
- ABV: 5%
- Taste Profile: This Texan cider is known for its subtlety. It has light apple flavors with a refreshing, crisp finish. The dryness is prominent, but it’s not overly complex or bold in flavor. This cider is easy to drink and perfect for casual sipping, but it may leave those looking for something bolder or more exciting feeling a little underwhelmed.
- Conclusion: A great choice if you prefer simple, dry, and easy-to-drink beverages. It’s subtle and won’t overwhelm the palate.
6. Downeast Original Blend
- Calories (per 12 oz.): 182
- ABV: 5.1%
- Taste Profile: Downeast’s Original Blend stands out due to its unfiltered nature, giving it a cloudy, orange appearance. The cider has a soft, silky texture with rich apple flavors that evoke memories of freshly picked apples. It’s sweet, but the carbonation balances it out, making it refreshing and not cloying.
- Conclusion: Perfect for casual drinkers who want a well-rounded cider with rich apple flavors. Its unfiltered nature gives it an edge in texture and taste.
7. Citizen Cider Unified Press
- Calories (per 16 oz.): 180
- ABV: 5.2%
- Taste Profile: This cider offers a good balance between ripe apple flavors and baking spices, making it ideal for the fall. It has a crisp finish that keeps it from feeling too heavy, and the sweetness is balanced by its medium-bodied fruitiness.
- Conclusion: Great for anyone looking for a cider that captures the essence of autumn. It’s crisp, flavorful, and perfect for casual drinking.
8. Aval Gold French Cider
- Calories (per 11.2 oz.): 105
- ABV: 6%
- Taste Profile: Aval Gold is a French cider that offers tart, earthy flavors typical of Brittany-style ciders. It’s dry, crisp, and complex, with fine carbonation that enhances its refreshing qualities. This cider is a great choice for those who appreciate traditional European ciders.
- Conclusion: If you enjoy traditional, dry European ciders with a hint of complexity, Aval Gold will deliver. It’s sophisticated and refreshing.
9. Wölffer Dry Rosé Cider
- Calories (per 12 oz.): 140
- ABV: 6.9%
- Taste Profile: Wölffer Dry Rosé Cider is an elegant option with a light pink hue that resembles a sparkling rosé wine. Its fine bubbles and floral notes make it a delightful and complex option for those who enjoy wine-like beverages. The fruit flavors are subtle but refreshing, and the dry finish ensures it doesn’t become overly sweet.
- Conclusion: A great option for wine drinkers who want to explore ciders. It’s elegant, refreshing, and perfect for social occasions.
10. Shacksbury Classic Dry Cider (Top Pick)
- Calories (per 12 oz.): 140
- ABV: 5.2%
- Taste Profile: Shacksbury’s Classic Dry Cider is the best of the bunch, with its crisp, golden apple flavors and fine carbonation. It has a refreshing finish with a perfect balance of fruitiness and dryness, making it ideal for cider lovers and casual drinkers alike. The complexity of flavors makes it feel almost like a well-made chardonnay.
- Conclusion: The best option for anyone looking for a well-rounded, refreshing, and sophisticated cider. It’s crisp, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion.
Table: Nutritional Comparison Of Ciders
| Cider | Calories (per 12 oz.) | ABV | Taste Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stella Artois Cidre | 180 | 4.5% | Sweet, beer-like finish |
| Angry Orchard Crisp Apple | 180 | 5% | Ripe apple, slightly acidic |
| Brlo Rosé Cider | 196 | 4.5% | Fruity, bold bubbles |
| Stowe High & Dry Cider | 216 (per 19.2 oz.) | 6.5% | Dry, crisp, and sharp |
| Austin Eastciders Original Dry | 240 (per 16 oz.) | 5% | Light, crisp, subtle |
| Downeast Original Blend | 182 | 5.1% | Unfiltered, silky texture |
| Citizen Cider Unified Press | 180 (per 16 oz.) | 5.2% | Medium-bodied, crisp |
| Aval Gold French Cider | 105 (per 11.2 oz.) | 6% | Tart, earthy, crisp |
| Wölffer Dry Rosé Cider | 140 | 6.9% | Subtle, floral, refreshing |
| Shacksbury Classic Dry | 140 | 5.2% | Crisp, bright, complex |
Conclusion:
Hard ciders have evolved from sugary, one-note drinks to complex beverages with varying levels of sweetness, dryness, and boldness. While sweeter ciders like Angry Orchard and Stella Artois Cidre cater to casual drinkers, more refined options like Shacksbury Classic Dry and Aval Gold French Cider offer depth and sophistication.
Each cider offers something different, so whether you’re looking for a dry, refreshing beverage or something sweet and flavorful, there’s a cider for every palate.
FAQs
1. What Makes A Hard Cider Sweet Or Dry?
Hard cider’s sweetness or dryness depends on the amount of residual sugar left after fermentation. Dry ciders have less residual sugar, while sweet ciders retain more.
2. Is Hard Cider Healthier Than Beer?
It depends on the brand, but dry ciders generally have fewer calories and sugars than many beers, making them a healthier alternative.
3. What Is The Typical Alcohol Content In Hard Ciders?
Hard ciders usually range from 4.5% to 7% ABV, depending on the brand and style.
4. Can Hard Cider Be Used In Cooking?
Yes, hard cider can be used in recipes like marinades, sauces, and stews, where its fruitiness adds depth to savory dishes.
5. Which Cider Is Best For Beginners?
If you’re new to cider, Shacksbury Classic Dry is a great starting point due to its balanced flavor profile that’s easy to enjoy.