Cider Kits

Shop homebrew cider kits for making your own apple, pear and fruit cider. Our range includes traditional apple cider kits, crisp pear styles and fruit-flavoured cider making kits from Mangrove Jack's, On The Rocks, John Bull and other established brewing brands. Choose a cider kit to go with equipment you already own, or explore a cider starter kit if you're completely new to home brewing.

Choose Your Cider Homebrew Kit by Style

• Traditional apple cider: Start with John Bull Country Cider for a classic medium-dry style, or try Mangrove Jack's Apple Cider for a fruitier apple character.
• Pear cider: Mangrove Jack's Pear Cider Kit offers a mellow, sweeter pear-style option. You can also compare the On The Rocks Pear Cider Kit. Check each kit's sweetening instructions if you prefer a drier finish.
• Fruit and flavoured ciders: Explore Mangrove Jack's Mixed Berry Cider or Elderflower & Lime Cider for something beyond traditional apple.

Availability varies by flavour, so check the individual product listings for current stock, batch size and what's included.

How to Choose a Home Brew Cider Kit

Start with your preferred flavour, then check batch size, additional fermentables and whether equipment is included. Our illustrated guide to cider kits and cider making includes an at-a-glance comparison and a first-batch checklist.

Cider Ingredient Kit or Cider Starter Kit?

Most cider kits in this collection provide the cider-making ingredients, such as fruit concentrate, yeast and flavouring or finishing sachets. They do not normally include a fermenting bucket, hydrometer, syphon or bottles. If you need brewing equipment as well, choose from our cider starter kits or home brew starter kits and check each kit's contents carefully.

How Many Pints Will a Cider Kit Make?

Many homebrew cider kits are intended to make approximately 40 UK pints (about 23 litres), while others are designed for smaller batches, such as 30 pints. The yield and approximate strength depend on the specific recipe and any recommended additions. Follow the volume and sugar instructions on your chosen product rather than assuming all kits make the same amount.

Do I Need to Add Brewing Sugar?

Some cider kits need extra brewing sugar or cider enhancer, which may be sold separately. For example, John Bull Country Cider and Mangrove Jack's Pear Cider each specify an additional 1 kg of brewing sugar. The current Mangrove Jack's Apple, Pear and Mixed Berry kits also offer 1.25 kg Cider Enhancer as an alternative; follow the quantities for your chosen kit. Other formulations may have different requirements, including no added sugar. Check the product details and supplied instructions before you start. You can browse our brewing sugars and sweeteners if your recipe needs them.

Dry, Medium or Sweet Cider?

Choose according to the flavour and sweetness you enjoy. Some cider kits, including selected Mangrove Jack's Craft Series flavours, supply an optional sweetener sachet. Add it in the quantity and at the stage specified in your kit's instructions; sweetener and flavouring sachets may be added at different times. The finished sweetness is not determined by the fruit flavour alone. Always follow the kit's sweetening and bottling instructions; adding fermentable sugar to sealed bottles without the correct method can create excess pressure.

Making Cider from a Kit: The Basics

1. Prepare your equipment: Clean and sanitise a suitable fermenter, airlock, mixing spoon, hydrometer and any equipment touching the cider.
2. Mix the ingredients: Add the concentrate and the correct amount of water, sugar or enhancer specified by your chosen kit.
3. Ferment: Follow the kit's instructions for adding yeast and any sachets required at this stage. Keep the fermenter within the recommended temperature range and use hydrometer readings to monitor progress.
4. Finish and package: Check fermentation is complete, then follow the instructions for any final additions, priming and conditioning. Transfer to appropriate bottles or a pressure barrel.

For a fuller walkthrough, read our beginner's guide to making cider at home.

Cider Making Kit FAQs

Are cider kits suitable for beginners?

Yes. Ingredient kits simplify making cider by supplying measured concentrate and other recipe components. You will still need appropriate fermentation and bottling equipment, unless you buy a starter set that includes it.

What equipment do I need to brew a cider kit?

For a typical 40-pint batch, you'll need a suitably sized fermenter and airlock, cleaning and sanitising supplies, a hydrometer and syphon, plus bottles or a pressure barrel. See our fermentation vessels and bottling equipment.

How long does a cider kit take?

Fermentation and conditioning times vary with the product, yeast and temperature. Allow time for fermentation to finish and for the cider to condition before drinking; use the kit's instructions and stable hydrometer readings rather than relying only on the number of days.

Can I use my existing beer-brewing equipment for cider?

Usually, yes. A suitable fermenter, airlock, hydrometer and syphon can be reused for beer or cider when thoroughly cleaned and sanitised between batches. Match the equipment capacity to the recipe.

What's the difference between a cider kit and making cider from apples?

A cider ingredient kit uses prepared concentrate and other recipe ingredients, so you don't need to crush and press fresh fruit. If you're using freshly picked apples, you'll need a different process and may want to explore our apple presses and fruit crushers as well as the cider-making guide.

More Cider Making Supplies

Already have an ingredient kit? Browse cider making ingredients, hydrometers, cleaning and sanitising products and bottling equipment to complete your setup. The Hop Shop supplies homebrewers from Plymouth, Devon, with UK delivery available and free standard delivery on qualifying UK mainland orders over £70.