What is sweet cider?

In the US, sweet cider is fresh, unfermented apple juice, so it has no alcohol; fermented cider is called hard cider there. In the UK and most other countries, "cider" always means the alcoholic drink, so "sweet cider" means an alcoholic cider with a lot of sugar left in it. Check the label for the ABV.

Updated 2026-10-02

Key facts

Two meanings. BJCP 2025: "In the United States, a distinction is made between hard cider (fermented, alcoholic) and sweet cider (unfermented, non-alcoholic)." Elsewhere, cider refers to the fermented product. [1]
Dictionary. Cambridge Dictionary gives the UK sense as "an alcoholic drink made from apples" and the US sense as "juice from crushed apples, used as a drink or to make vinegar". [2]
US law. For the federal regulator, "cider" and "hard cider" on an alcohol label both mean wine made from apples. [3]
Safety labelling. Packaged untreated juice or cider sold in the US must carry an FDA warning; juice or cider sold by the glass is exempt. [4]

What is the difference between apple cider and apple juice?

In US usage, both are unfermented apple juice: Cambridge lists "apple juice" as the UK word for the US sense of cider. [2] FDA's juice-safety guidance treats juice and cider the same way and notes that most juice sold in the US is pasteurised, while some cider mills and farmers' markets sell untreated cider. [4] There is no federal standard in the sources we checked that separates "apple cider" from "apple juice"; read the label for pasteurisation and ingredients.

How sweet is a "sweet" alcoholic cider?

When "sweet" describes an alcoholic cider, it refers to the sugar left after fermentation. In BJCP's guidelines a sweet cider has more than 4% residual sugar. [1] See cider sweetness levels, and for the sweetest styles, which cider is the sweetest.

Find it on Cider Radar

Glossary: hard cider · Guide: what is cider?
Cider makers in the United States: 857 makers (as of 2026-10-02).

Cider, perry, calvados and pommeau are alcoholic drinks. Enjoy responsibly and follow the legal drinking age where you live.

We don't give health advice. For questions about your health, talk to a doctor or pharmacist.

Questions

Is sweet cider alcoholic in the UK?

Yes. In British English, cider is "an alcoholic drink made from apples", so a sweet cider is an alcoholic cider that tastes sweet. [2]

Is unpasteurised sweet cider safe to drink?

FDA warns that untreated juice or cider can contain harmful bacteria that can cause serious illness, and that children, older adults, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk. Packaged untreated juice or cider in the US must carry a warning label; cider sold by the glass, for example at orchards or farmers' markets, does not need one, so ask if you are unsure. [4]

Sources

2025 BJCP Cider Style Guidelines (Introduction) — Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP)
cider (definition) — Cambridge Dictionary
Cider FAQs — Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)
What You Need to Know About Juice Safety — FDA