How is ice cider made?

Key facts

• Protected name. "Cidre de glace du Québec" is a Protected Geographical Indication (IGP), recognised in December 2014. [1]
• Apples. It is made from late-ripening apple varieties grown in Quebec and harvested ripe. [1]
• Only natural cold. Sugars may be concentrated only by natural cold, and pressing must take place between 1 December and 1 March inclusive. [1]
• Finished cider. At least 140 g/L of residual sugar and 9–13% ABV, both from the apples' own sugars; no colourings or flavourings; still or sparkling. [1]
• The broader style. BJCP defines ice cider as cider fermented from juice concentrated by freezing fruit before pressing or by freezing juice, with fermentation stopped before dryness; its range is 7–13% ABV. [2]

How is ice cider made, step by step?

1. Choose the method.
   • Cryoconcentration: apples harvested in autumn are kept cool, pressed, and the juice is left to freeze outdoors. Water freezes first, so the liquid drawn off is sweeter. [1]
   • Cryoextraction: whole apples are frozen, either after picking or on the tree. Apples frozen on the tree must stay there until at least 1 December and are picked from that date. [1]
2. Press or separate the concentrated juice in winter, within the 1 December to 1 March window. [1]
3. Ferment slowly and partly. Fermentation stops, or is stopped, while a lot of sugar remains, which is why ice cider is among the sweetest ciders (see which cider is the sweetest). [2]
4. Finish as a still or sparkling cider with no added colour or flavour. [1]

Related answers: where to buy ice cider · which cider is the sweetest

Find it on Cider Radar

• Quebec: 79 cider makers listed (as of 2026-10-02). Check each profile for ice cider.
• Guide: ice cider among cider styles · Glossary: ice cider
• 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.