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Can you make cider from apple juice?

Store-bought apple juice can be fermented into cider. the Pacific Northwest Extension cider guide (PNW 621) says raw or reconstituted juice is an option, but check that the juice has no preservatives that stop yeast, and try a small test batch first. Pasteurised juice needs added yeast, because the heat treatment has killed the natural yeast.

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What PNW 621 says

"Raw or reconstituted juice are also options for cider making, and may be all you need to start your cider operation. However, juice concentrates have different quality ratings and some are not suitable for fermentation. Before buying juice for cider making, determine whether any microbial growth inhibitors were used to preserve it. If possible, do a small fermentation test batch". [1]

How do I do it?

  1. Read the label. Avoid juice with preservatives that inhibit yeast. [1]
  2. Check the gravity. A hydrometer reading lets you estimate potential alcohol: gravity ÷ 7.5 (for example 1.050 → 50 ÷ 7.5 ≈ 6.7%). [1]
  3. Add yeast and nutrients. Pasteurised juice has no live yeast; most cider makers use cultured yeast. [1] [2] See what yeast to use for cider.
  4. Ferment and mature as for pressed juice: 10 days to 4 weeks at 16°C (60°F) or lower, then 2–6 months to clear. [1] Full steps: how to make cider at home.

Will it taste like cider from fresh apples?

It depends on the apples in the juice. If it is made from dessert apples, PNW 621 says they alone "do not normally make a distinctive high-end cider", though creative processing can give a good product. [1] Cider apples bring tannin and acidity; see the glossary entry for cider apple and the guide section on which apples are used for cider.

Is it legal?

Making it for your own use is allowed in the UK [3] and, within federal limits, in the US [4]; see how to make cider at home and can I sell homemade cider.

Related answers: how to make cider at home · what yeast to use

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Questions

Which apple juice is best for cider?

PNW 621 says juice concentrates "have different quality ratings and some are not suitable for fermentation", and advises checking for microbial growth inhibitors before buying. [1] Read the ingredient list for preservatives.

Is cider made from juice "real" cider?

CAMRA says real cider "should never be concentrated then diluted". [5] UK duty law allows concentrate within the 35% juice minimum. [6] See how much juice is in cider.

Will juice ferment without added yeast?

Unpasteurised juice can, because yeast is present on fruit and equipment. [7] FDA says most US juice is pasteurised (heat-treated) to kill harmful bacteria, and PNW 621 describes pasteurisation as destroying undesirable microorganisms. [2] [1] See can apple cider ferment on its own.

Sources

  1. Hard Cider Production & Orchard Management in the Pacific Northwest (PNW 621) — Washington State University, Oregon State University and University of Idaho Extension
  2. What You Need to Know About Juice Safety — FDA
  3. Alcoholic products technical guide: section 4, approvals — HM Revenue & Customs (GOV.UK)
  4. 27 CFR 24.75 – Wine for personal or family use — eCFR (US Government Publishing Office)
  5. Cider & Perry: what makes it real — CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale)
  6. Alcoholic products technical guide: section 2, alcoholic products — HM Revenue & Customs (GOV.UK)
  7. 2025 BJCP Cider Style Guidelines (Introduction) — Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP)

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