What is rosé cider?
Rosé cider is a pink cider. Its colour comes either from red-fleshed apple varieties or from added fruit, juice or colouring. Rules differ by country: in France, "rosé" on a cider label has been reserved since 2026 for pink cider pressed from red-fleshed apples, while in the UK permitted colourings may only give cider a straw-to-golden colour.
Updated
Key facts
- Two sources of colour. BJCP notes that some red-fleshed apples, such as Redfield, "will give a blush or rosé hue that should not be misinterpreted as coming from other fruit". [1]
- Fruit-coloured rosé. In BJCP's system, cider with added non-apple fruit or juice is a Fruit Cider. [2]
- France. From 1 January 2026, "rosé" on cider is reserved for pink cider made from the must of red-fleshed apples; the minimum share of such apples is set by ministerial order. [3]
- UK. Colourings in cider and perry may only be used for a straw, gold or golden-brown colour, and juices of fruit other than apple or pear are not approved for cider duty. [4] [5]
How is rosé cider made?
- With red-fleshed apples. Pressing red-fleshed varieties gives naturally pink juice. This is the only route to the French "rosé" label. [3]
- With other fruit. Adding red fruit or juice colours the cider and adds flavour. Legally, this can change the product's category, for example for UK duty. [5]
- With colour. Where rules allow it, makers can add colour; in UK cider, permitted colours don't extend to pink. [4]
How can I tell which kind I have?
Check the label and the maker's description. In the UK and EU, drinks over 1.2% ABV don't have to list ingredients, so many ciders have no ingredient list; where one is given, added fruit juice, flavouring or colouring will appear in it. Makers using red-fleshed apples usually say so, and may name the variety. [6] [7]
Rosé is about colour, not sweetness; for sweet styles, see which cider is the sweetest.
Related answers: what counts as cider in UK law · which cider is the sweetest
Find it on Cider Radar
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Cider, perry, calvados and pommeau are alcoholic drinks. Enjoy responsibly and follow the legal drinking age where you live.
Questions
Is rosé cider alcoholic?
Usually, yes: it is a cider, so it is fermented. Check the ABV on the label.
Is rosé cider sweet?
Not necessarily. Rosé describes colour, not sweetness; check the label's sweetness description.
Sources
- 2025 BJCP Cider Style Guidelines (Introduction) — Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP)
- 2025 Cider Style Guidelines: C3 Specialty Cider — BJCP
- Décret n° 2025-162 relatif aux cidres et aux poirés — Légifrance (French Government)
- Alcoholic products technical guide: section 2, alcoholic products — HM Revenue & Customs (GOV.UK)
- Permitted ingredients for cider duty — HM Revenue & Customs (GOV.UK)
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Article 16: Omission of certain 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)