What is the strongest cider?
The strongest ciders are specialty styles that concentrate sugar or add it before fermentation. BJCP 2025 lists Fire Cider at 9–16% ABV, Ice Cider at 7–13% and Applewine at 9–12%. Legal definitions set lower ceilings: UK cider must be below 8.5% ABV, and stronger apple drinks are taxed differently.
Updated
Strength by style (BJCP 2025)
| Style | Code | ABV | How the strength is reached |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire Cider (cidre de feu) | C2D | 9–16% | Fermented from boiled, concentrated juice |
| Ice Cider | C2C | 7–13% | Juice concentrated by freezing |
| New England Cider | C2A | 7–13% | Adjuncts that raise the alcohol |
| Applewine | C2B | 9–12% | Added neutral sugar |
| English Cider | C1C | 6–9% | Bittersweet apples, no adjuncts |
| French Cider | C1D | 3–6% | Often keeved, sweeter |
Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]. BJCP adds that the name Strong Ciders "should not be interpreted as implying that every example is necessarily stronger in alcohol than every Traditional Cider style". [1]
What limits does the law set?
- UK: cider must be below 8.5% ABV; at 8.5% or more it falls under "other fermented products". [7]
- US: the lower hard cider tax rate applies only below 8.5% ABV; stronger cider loses it. [8]
- Quebec ice cider: protected Cidre de glace du Québec is 9–13% ABV. [9] See ice cider vs ice wine.
What about apple drinks that are not cider?
- Pommeau: apple juice blended with apple brandy; see what is pommeau and the glossary entry for pommeau.
- Calvados and cider brandy: spirits distilled from cider; calvados must be at least 40%. [10] See what is cider brandy and calvados.
How do I check a bottle?
Read the ABV on the label. In the EU and UK, drinks over 1.2% alcohol must show their actual alcoholic strength. [11] [12] The guide on how strong cider is gives typical ranges, and how many units are in cider shows how strength and serving size add up.
Related answers: ice cider vs ice wine · how many units are in cider
Find it on Cider Radar
- Cider makers in Quebec: 79 makers in the province where, according to BJCP, ice cider originated (as of 2026-10-02).
- Guide: types of cider · Glossary: ice cider
- 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 there cider stronger than 8.5%?
Is apple brandy a cider?
No. Calvados and cider brandy are spirits distilled from cider; calvados must be at least 40% ABV. [10] See what is cider brandy.
How strong is regular cider?
BJCP's standard cider styles run from 3% (French Cider, low end) to 9% ABV. [6] See the guide on how strong cider is.
Sources
- 2025 Cider Style Guidelines: C2 Strong Cider — BJCP
- 2025 BJCP Cider Style Guidelines: C2D Fire Cider — BJCP
- 2025 BJCP Cider Style Guidelines: C2C Ice Cider — BJCP
- 2025 BJCP Cider Style Guidelines: C2B Applewine — BJCP
- 2025 BJCP Cider Style Guidelines: C1C English Cider — BJCP
- 2025 BJCP Cider Style Guidelines (Introduction) — Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP)
- Alcoholic products technical guide: section 2, alcoholic products — HM Revenue & Customs (GOV.UK)
- Cider FAQs — Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)
- Cidre de glace du Québec (IGP) — CARTV (Conseil des appellations réservées et des termes valorisants, Québec)
- FAQ — Calvados Nouvelle Vogue (IDAC)
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Article 9: List of mandatory particulars — legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives)
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers (official EU text) — EUR-Lex (Publications Office of the European Union)