Is cider carbonated?
Many ciders are carbonated, but not all. Cider can be still, lightly sparkling (pétillant) or fully sparkling. The bubbles come either from a second fermentation in the bottle or tank, or from injected carbon dioxide. In the US, labels must say "sparkling" for the first and "carbonated" for the second.
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Carbonation levels
BJCP 2025 uses three terms: "Little to no carbonation is termed still"; moderate carbonation is "pétillant"; highly carbonated is "sparkling". [1] The glossary explains still and sparkling cider.
How do the bubbles get in?
- Second fermentation in the bottle. Sugar and live yeast in a sealed bottle produce carbon dioxide; PNW 621 calls this "the traditional Champagne method". [2] See traditional method and bottle-conditioned.
- Ancestral method. The cider is bottled before the first fermentation has finished; see ancestral method.
- Injected CO₂. Compressed food-grade carbon dioxide is injected into the cider in a tank under pressure. [2]
For how this compares with Champagne, see cider vs champagne.
What do the labels mean?
| Jurisdiction | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| US | Cider with more than 0.392 g CO₂ per 100 ml is effervescent. "Sparkling" if the CO₂ comes solely from secondary fermentation in a closed container; otherwise "carbonated" | [3] |
| UK (duty) | Sparkling cider: 3 bar or more of pressure, or a mushroom-shaped stopper | [4] |
| France | "Bouché": at least 3 g/l CO₂, mushroom cork. "Effervescence naturelle": bubbles only from fermentation, with no gas added at bottling | [5] |
In the US, TTB says sparkling and carbonated ciders are not eligible for the lower hard cider tax rate [3]; the exact test is no more than 0.64 g of carbon dioxide per 100 ml. [6] The guide to types of cider by method describes the styles. A cider's carbonation level has nothing to do with whether it contains alcohol; for that question, see is sparkling cider alcoholic.
Related answers: cider vs champagne · is sparkling cider alcoholic
Find it on Cider Radar
- Cider makers in Normandy: 114 makers (as of 2026-10-02).
- Guide: types of cider · Glossary: sparkling
- You can order directly from the maker in Cider Radar (iOS, Android and web).
- 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
Is still cider flat?
What does "bouché" mean on French cider?
Under French rules, "bouché" cider has at least 3 g/l of carbon dioxide and is sold in sparkling-wine bottles of at least 37.5 cl with a mushroom cork. [5] See is sparkling cider alcoholic.
Is Spanish cider carbonated?
Asturian sidra natural is poured from a height, which "awakens the carbonic gas", as the PDO puts it, and the PDO also covers a natural sparkling cider. [8] [9] See how to pour Spanish cider.
Sources
- 2025 BJCP Cider Style Guidelines (Introduction) — Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP)
- Hard Cider Production & Orchard Management in the Pacific Northwest (PNW 621) — Washington State University, Oregon State University and University of Idaho Extension
- Cider FAQs — Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)
- Alcoholic products technical guide: section 2, alcoholic products — HM Revenue & Customs (GOV.UK)
- Décret n° 2025-162 relatif aux cidres et aux poirés — Légifrance (French Government)
- Cider Fact Sheet — TTB
- 2025 BJCP Cider Style Guidelines: C1C English Cider — BJCP
- Natural cider — Consejo Regulador DOP Sidra de Asturias
- Natural Sparkling Cider — Consejo Regulador DOP Sidra de Asturias