Buying apple drinks: how to choose apple juice, soft drinks or cider to suit you

Looking to buy apple drinks online, but not sure whether to choose apple juice, a sparkling apple drink, an apple and peach drink or a Korean apple drink? Products vary widely in fruit juice content, sugar levels, packaging and portion size. So an eye-catching label doesn’t always tell you exactly what you’re buying.

Watch out for these three common pitfalls:

• “Apple” on the front doesn’t automatically mean it contains plenty of apple juice. Check the percentage of fruit juice or apple purée in the ingredients list.
• A larger pack isn’t always better value. Compare the price per litre and think about how much you’ll actually use once it’s opened.
• “Fruity” or “natural” doesn’t mean the same as fruit juice. A soft drink may contain flavourings, sweeteners and a small amount of juice, while a juice drink has a different composition.

What should you look for when buying apple drinks?

1. Check the type of drink and its apple content

First, distinguish between these categories:

• Apple juice: often made from apple juice from concentrate. For example, Surango Apple Juice lists only “apple juice from concentrate” as an ingredient.
• Apple drink: contains water, sugar or sweeteners, and a certain amount of apple concentrate.
• Apple soft drink: usually carbonated and intended as a refreshing soft drink, rather than pure juice.
• Sparkling apple drink: check the amount of carbonation and the fruit juice content. The flavour may come mainly from flavourings.
• Apple cider: an alcoholic or alcohol-free type of drink. Always check the alcohol content and any warnings on the packaging.

For a mixed flavour, such as an apple and peach drink, it’s worth checking which fruit makes up the largest proportion. For example, DubbelFrisss Apple Peach contains 15% fruit juice, of which 14% is apple and 1.1% is peach. This gives you a clearer picture than the flavour name on the front alone.

2. Compare nutritional values per 100 ml

Always compare products on the same basis: per 100 ml. In particular, check the:

• energy;
• carbohydrates and sugars;
• sweeteners, if present;
• fruit juice content;
• caffeine or alcohol, where applicable.

For example, a product with fewer calories may contain sweeteners. That’s not a problem if you’re choosing them knowingly, but it’s a difference you should be aware of. So the ingredients list is just as important as the nutritional information table.

According to the product information, Chupa Chups Sour Green Apple contains 1% apple juice from concentrate. The drink is carbonated and contains 44 kcal and 11 grams of sugar per 100 ml. This makes it quite different from a 1.5-litre bottle of apple juice.

3. Choose the right pack for how you’ll use it

A 1.5-litre bottle is a good choice for a household where the drink will be enjoyed on several occasions. Once opened, the bottle should be kept refrigerated and consumed within the stated period, according to the product information.

A multipack of small cans or bottles is more convenient for parties, lunches or controlled portions. Just remember to check the total volume. A multipack of apple drinks containing 24 cans may be practical, but it takes up more storage space than a few bottles.

Smaller packs, such as 200 to 345 ml, are easy to take with you when you’re out and about. If you’re choosing glass bottles, also check that the packaging suits how and where you plan to store and use them.

Our recommendations for different needs

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners

Wicky Apple Juice - 1.5 L

Why it suits this profile: A generous bottle for households looking for an easy-drinking apple drink to enjoy on several occasions.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product information clearly states that it contains 10% apple concentrate and comes in a 1.5-litre bottle. This makes it easier to compare the ingredients without relying on the front of the pack alone.

Key benefit & highlights

1.5-litre capacity, 24 kcal per 100 ml according to the product information, and suitable for serving chilled.

Suitable for: Shoppers looking for top quality

g'woon Apple Juice - 1.5 L

Why it suits this profile: A good choice if you value a straightforward ingredients list and a clear juice base over carbonation or extra fruit flavours.

How this product avoids the pitfall

According to the product information, this product is made from apple juice from concentrate. No carbonation, fruit flavours or mixed fruit varieties are listed.

Key benefit & highlights

1.5-litre capacity and a short ingredients list, with apple juice from concentrate as its base.

Suitable for: Specific occasions & frequent users

CHUPA CHUPS Sour Green Apple 24x345ml

Why it suits this profile: A multipack for parties or the pantry, and a great choice for fans of a sweet-and-sour, fizzy green apple flavour.

How this product avoids the pitfall

It’s clearly a sparkling soft drink, not pure apple juice. The pack contains 24 cans of 345 ml, so you know the portion size in advance.

Key benefit & highlights

24 × 345 ml, 1% apple juice from concentrate according to the description, and a distinctive Sour Green Apple flavour.

Suitable for: Adult apple cider fans

Apple Bandit Juicy Apple Cider - 30 cl

Why it suits this profile: For adults looking for a chilled apple cider in an individual bottle.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product information states that it contains 4.5% alcohol. Always check this before buying and drinking: this isn’t an ordinary soft drink.

Key benefit & highlights

30 cl bottle, 25% apple juice from concentrate according to the description, and an alcoholic cider style.

Frequently asked questions about buying apple drinks

What’s the difference between apple juice and an apple drink?

Apple juice consists mainly of juice, often from concentrate. An apple drink usually contains water, a lower proportion of apple, sugar or sweeteners, and sometimes flavourings or carbonation. So always check the ingredients list and the percentage of fruit juice.

Is a multipack of apple soft drinks better value?

That depends on the price per litre and the amount in each pack. Divide the total price by the total number of litres. A multipack is particularly handy when you need several portions, but it isn’t automatically cheaper than a 1.5-litre bottle.

How should you store apple juice and sparkling apple drinks after opening?

Store opened bottles according to the instructions on the label, usually chilled and tightly sealed. For cans, bear the portion size in mind: they lose their fizz quickly once opened. Always check the best-before information on the packaging.