Hard cider is one of the toughest categories for low-carb drinkers. The average bottle on the shelf carries 20g+ of carbs, which means a single can blows past a daily target most keto drinkers set. That makes the picks below genuinely useful — they’re the rare ciders that keep things under 10g while still hitting at least 4.5% ABV.
We track 75 hard ciders in the DrinkLeader catalog. The list below is sorted by carbs ascending with score as the tiebreaker. Brand diversity is enforced (max two per producer). For the full live ranking, see Best Hard Cider Drinks or Lowest-Carb Hard Ciders.
Why cider is hard mode for low-carb drinkers
Apples bring sugar, and fermentation only converts so much of it before the cider maker stops the process to lock in the apple character. “Dry” and “crisp” labels are your friends; anything described as “sweet,” “semi-sweet,” or “dessert-style” almost always pushes 25g+ per serving. The picks below all clear the 10g threshold — meaningfully lean for the category.
1. Grevens Strawberry Cider
2.5g carbs · 145 cal · 4.7% ABV
At 2.5g of carbs, Grevens Strawberry Cider is a rare low-carb pick in a category where 20g+ is the norm. DrinkLeader score: 89.47/100 · 4.7% ABV · 145 calories.
2. Kelterei Krämer Beerfurther Schoppen naturtrüb
4.5g carbs · 380 cal · 6% ABV
At 4.5g of carbs, Kelterei Krämer Beerfurther Schoppen naturtrüb is a rare low-carb pick in a category where 20g+ is the norm. DrinkLeader score: 87.17/100 · 6% ABV · 380 calories.
3. Ringnes as Lite sparkling cider
4.5g carbs · 150 cal · 4.5% ABV
At 4.5g of carbs, Ringnes as Lite sparkling cider is a rare low-carb pick in a category where 20g+ is the norm. DrinkLeader score: 82.81/100 · 4.5% ABV · 150 calories.
4. Bulmers Light Irish Cider
5g carbs · 99 cal · 4.5% ABV
At 5g of carbs, Bulmers Light Irish Cider is a rare low-carb pick in a category where 20g+ is the norm. DrinkLeader score: 81.52/100 · 4.5% ABV · 99 calories.
5. Maeloc Sidra dulce
5.2g carbs · 44 cal · 4.1% ABV
At 5.2g of carbs, Maeloc Sidra dulce is a rare low-carb pick in a category where 20g+ is the norm. DrinkLeader score: 51.75/100 · 4.1% ABV · 44 calories.
6. Angry Orchard Crisp Light
6g carbs · 120 cal · 4.3% ABV
At 6g of carbs, Angry Orchard Crisp Light is a rare low-carb pick in a category where 20g+ is the norm. DrinkLeader score: 55.38/100 · 4.3% ABV · 120 calories.
7. Stassen Premium Belgian Cider Lychee
6.3g carbs · 54 cal · 5% ABV
At 6.3g of carbs, Stassen Premium Belgian Cider Lychee is a rare low-carb pick in a category where 20g+ is the norm. DrinkLeader score: 51.42/100 · 5% ABV · 54 calories.
8. Harboe Pærecider
8.3g carbs · 39 cal · 0.8% ABV
At 8.3g of carbs, Harboe Pærecider is a rare low-carb pick in a category where 20g+ is the norm. DrinkLeader score: 11.39/100 · 0.8% ABV · 39 calories.
9. Dry Blackthorn Cider
8.5g carbs · 138 cal · 5% ABV
At 8.5g of carbs, Dry Blackthorn Cider is a rare low-carb pick in a category where 20g+ is the norm. DrinkLeader score: 71.01/100 · 5% ABV · 138 calories.
10. Scrumpy Jack
9.8g carbs · 159 cal · 6% ABV
At 9.8g of carbs, Scrumpy Jack is a rare low-carb pick in a category where 20g+ is the norm. DrinkLeader score: 73.59/100 · 6% ABV · 159 calories.
How to shop hard cider for the macros
- “Dry” or “brut” on the label is gold. These styles ferment further and leave less residual sugar.
- Avoid flavored ciders. Caramel, vanilla, and stone-fruit variants almost always add sugar back.
- Watch serving size. Some ciders come in 16oz cans; the carb math scales linearly.
- Hard cider seltzers are a workaround. Lower carbs than traditional cider, similar apple-forward profile.
Keep exploring
For category comparisons, see Hard Cider vs Hard Seltzer or the broader Hard Cider guide.
