What is the best dry cider?
The best dry cider is the one that suits your taste, but some styles are reliably dry: traditional Spanish sidra natural, many English farmhouse ciders, French cidre labelled "brut" or "extra brut", and modern ciders labelled dry or extra dry. In competition terms, a dry cider has less than 0.4% residual sugar.
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Key facts
- What counts as dry. The BJCP 2025 cider guidelines describe dry as "below 0.4% RS, FG less than 1.002", with "No perception of sweetness". Semi-dry, from 0.4% to 0.9% residual sugar, is "Also known as medium-dry or off-dry". [1]
- French label terms. French labels use "brut" and "extra brut" for dry cider; see what brut, demi-sec and doux mean.
- Examples. The BJCP guidelines name commercial examples for each style, including several labelled dry or brut; see the table below. [1]
Which cider styles are dry?
- Spanish sidra natural. BJCP 2025 describes Spanish cider as "Dry and fresh, with a bright acidity", and says "Dry palate and finish are typical". [1] See the glossary entry for sidra.
- English cider. BJCP describes it as "Full-bodied and often seeming quite dry" and says dry "is most traditional, particularly when considering the drying contributions of tannin". [1] The farmhouse cider glossary entry covers the rustic end; see French vs English cider.
- French brut and extra brut. French cidre is often sweeter, but the brut and extra brut levels are the drier choices. [1] [2]
- Modern dry ciders. Many craft makers label a cider "dry" or "extra dry"; check for residual sugar in the maker's notes.
Which dry ciders does the BJCP name as examples?
The BJCP lists commercial examples to illustrate each style. These are the ones whose names say dry or brut, plus two traditional Spanish examples; they illustrate the style and are not a ranking or an award. [1]
| BJCP 2025 style | Commercial examples named by the BJCP |
|---|---|
| Common cider | Seattle Cider Dry |
| Heirloom cider | Farnum Hill Extra Dry |
| English cider | Hogan's Dry Cider (UK), Oliver's Traditional Dry |
| French cider | Etienne Dupoint Brut |
| Spanish cider | Trabanco Sidra Natural, Zapiain Sidra Natural |
A label word such as "Dry" is the maker's own description, so taste and residual sugar can still vary from batch to batch.
How do I find a dry cider I like?
- Read the label. Look for dry, extra dry, brut or extra brut; the glossary entries for dry and brut explain each term.
- Choose by character. Pick Spanish sidra for sharpness and acidity, English cider for tannin and body.
- Compare sugar. Dry ciders usually contain less sugar; see does dry cider have less sugar. For the other end of the scale, see which cider is sweetest, and for widely sold labels, best cider brands.
Related answers: does dry cider have less sugar · which cider is sweetest
Find it on Cider Radar
- Rate ciders in Cider Radar on sweetness as well as body, tannin, turbidity and funk, and see how others rated a cider before you buy.
- Guide: cider sweetness levels · Glossary: dry
- Open the map: app.ciderradar.com · iPhone · Android
Cider, perry, calvados and pommeau are alcoholic drinks. Enjoy responsibly and follow the legal drinking age where you live.
Questions
Why can a dry cider taste a little sweet?
Fruity aromas and low acidity can make a cider seem sweeter than its sugar level, while tannin and acidity make it seem drier. The cider sweetness guide explains perceived sweetness.
Sources
- 2025 BJCP Cider Style Guidelines, version 2 (PDF) — BJCP
- Décret n° 2025-162 du 20 février 2025 portant application de l'article L. 412-1 du code de la consommation en ce qui concerne les cidres et poirés (JORF n°0044 du 21 février 2025, texte n°21) — Légifrance (Journal officiel de la République française)