What is the difference between cider and hard seltzer?

Cider is fermented apple or pear juice; hard seltzer is usually carbonated water, flavouring and alcohol from fermented sugar or malted barley. In US nutrition data, hard cider has more sugar and calories than hard seltzer per 100 g. In the US, cider is a wine for federal purposes, while hard seltzer is usually classified as beer.

Updated 2026-10-02

Key differences

Per 100 g (USDA FoodData Central)	Hard cider	Hard seltzer
Energy	56 kcal	24 kcal
Alcohol	4.0 g	3.2 g
Carbohydrate	5.92 g	0.55 g
Sugars	5.92 g	0 g

Sources: [1] [2]. Per 12 fl oz (360 g) serving, that is about 200 kcal for hard cider and 86 kcal for hard seltzer (24 × 3.6). Individual products vary.

What is each made from?

Cider is fermented from apples, including apple juice or concentrate. [3] In the UK, cider must contain at least 35% apple or pear juice. [4]
Hard seltzer. TTB summarises trade press descriptions: typically carbonated water, flavoring and alcohol, made from fermented sugar or malted barley, about 4–6% ABV and low in calories. [5]

The sugar in cider comes from the fruit and any sweetening after fermentation; the guide on where sweetness comes from explains it. For more on cider's calories, see how many calories are in cider.

How does US law classify them?

Cider: a wine made from apples ("apple wine" or "cider") for federal labelling. [3]
Hard seltzer: frequently classified as beer. With malted barley and hops it is a beer under the tax code and a malt beverage under the FAA Act; without both, it is a beer that is not a malt beverage. The same 2021 TTB presentation says "hard seltzer" alone does not meet the labelling requirement to name the kind of product. [5]

Cider is not beer either; see is cider beer and the glossary entry for hard cider.

Related answers: is cider beer · how many calories are in cider

Find it on Cider Radar

Rate ciders in Cider Radar from 1 to 5 and on sweetness, body, tannin, turbidity and funk, and keep the ones you like in your tasting cellar.
Guide: what is cider? · Guide: how strong is cider? · Glossary: hard cider
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Cider, perry, calvados and pommeau are alcoholic drinks. Enjoy responsibly and follow the legal drinking age where you live.

Questions

Does hard seltzer have fewer calories than cider?

In USDA data, yes: 24 kcal per 100 g for hard seltzer and 56 kcal for hard cider. That is about 86 and 200 kcal per 12 fl oz (360 g) serving. [2] [1] Actual products vary.

Is hard seltzer made from grain?

It can be: a 2021 TTB presentation says hard seltzers may be made from fermented sugar or malted barley. [5] Cider is fermented from apples or pears; for gluten questions, see is cider gluten free.

Is hard seltzer a cider?

No. Under US federal law, cider is a wine made from apples, while hard seltzers are frequently classified as beer. [3] [5]