Cider ABV

garyfentiman

Hi is there any way to check the strength of my cider now it's bottled and in the fridge being drunk. It was my first attempt and I forgot to take the readings ?

HBO_Staff

The usual way is with a hydrometer but as you rightly say you do need the first reading from before it ferments. By using the first reading and the final gravity reading from when it is finished the approximate alcohol content can be calculated. If the cider is from a kit then the alcohol content is pretty much always the same as long as the amount of liquid and sugars used are as the instructions, so that would be a very good guide. If it is your own cider then it will vary based on the sugars in the juice, etc,