Cider occupies a lovely middle ground in the drinks world. It is not as heavy as beer, not as serious as wine, and there is something about a crisp, cold apple cider that just feels easy. So when you take the alcohol out, the big question is whether that easy, refreshing character survives, or whether you are left with something closer to apple juice with ideas above its station.
Apple Thief has built a genuine reputation for getting this right. This Australian producer makes non-alcoholic cider from real Pink Lady apples, and the range has earned some seriously strong reviews from drinkers who know their cider. But does it actually deliver? We have taken a proper look at the full Apple Thief range available at Sans Drinks to find out whether it is worth a spot in your fridge.
Who Are Apple Thief?
Before the verdict, a quick word on what makes Apple Thief different from a lot of what is out there.
The brand builds its cider around Pink Lady apples, a variety prized for its balance of crispness and depth. Rather than starting with concentrate or a generic apple base, the focus on a specific, quality apple variety gives the cider a genuine character that carries through even without the alcohol.
What sets Apple Thief apart:
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Built around real Pink Lady apples rather than generic concentrate
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A dedicated focus on cider rather than a side project
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A range spanning classic apple and fruit-blended styles
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Consistently strong customer ratings across the range
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Available in convenient cans and bottles
That focus shows up in the glass, and the customer ratings back it up. Here is how the range stacks up.
The Apple Thief Range at a Glance
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Cider |
Style |
Customer Rating |
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Classic apple |
4.9/5 (14 reviews) |
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Classic apple |
4.6/5 (16 reviews) |
|
|
Apple and cherry |
4.0/5 (1 review) |
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|
Apple and blueberry |
4.0/5 (1 review) |
|
|
Mixed variety |
Full range |
The Cider Reviews
Apple Thief Pink Lady Non-Alcoholic Cider (Cans)
Customer rating: 4.9/5 from 14 reviews
This is the flagship, and the near-perfect rating tells you plenty before you even crack the can. The classic Pink Lady cider is what Apple Thief is built on, and it is the one to reach for first.
The pour: Pale golden and lightly sparkling, exactly as a good cider should look. Clean and clear with a gentle fizz.
The nose: Fresh crushed apple, immediately recognisable as real fruit rather than a synthetic apple flavour. Bright and inviting.
The palate: Crisp, refreshing, and genuinely apple-forward. The Pink Lady character comes through with a nice balance between the fruit and a clean, dry finish. It has that proper cider crispness rather than tasting like flat juice, which is exactly where most non-alcoholic ciders fall down. The gentle carbonation keeps it lively from first sip to last.
The verdict: The standout of the range and one of the best non-alcoholic ciders going around. The 4.9 rating is well earned. If you want to know whether Apple Thief is worth trying, this is the one to start with, and the answer is a clear yes.
Best served: Straight from the fridge, ice cold, on a warm afternoon or alongside a casual lunch.
Apple Thief Pink Lady Non-Alcoholic Cider (Bottles)
Customer rating: 4.6/5 from 16 reviews
The same excellent Pink Lady cider in bottle format, and another strong rating from the most-reviewed product in the range. The bottle format suits sharing, dinner tables, and occasions where you want something that feels a touch more considered than a can.
Everything that makes the canned version work is here: the fresh apple character, the crisp finish, the lively carbonation. The bottle is the one to reach for when you are hosting or want your alcohol free drinks to sit properly alongside everyone else's glass at the table.
Best served: Chilled and poured into a glass to show off the colour and carbonation, ideal for entertaining.
Apple Thief Pink Lady Apple & Cherry Cider
Customer rating: 4.0/5 from 1 review
For a bit of variety, the Apple & Cherry brings a fruity twist to the classic Pink Lady base. The cherry adds a layer of red fruit character over the crisp apple foundation, giving the cider a slightly deeper, more rounded profile.
This is the one to try if you like your cider with a fruit-forward lift. The cherry does not overpower the apple, sitting alongside it rather than taking over, which keeps the whole thing balanced and refreshing.
Best served: Cold, as a refreshing option for anyone who enjoys a fruitier cider style.
Apple Thief Pink Lady Apple & Blueberry Cider
Customer rating: 4.0/5 from 1 review
The Apple & Blueberry is the other fruit-blended option, and it brings a distinctive berry character to the crisp apple base. The blueberry adds a gentle depth and a lovely colour, making this an interesting alternative to the classic when you want something a little different.
Like the cherry version, the blueberry is handled with restraint, complementing the Pink Lady apple rather than masking it. A good pick for the drinker who likes to mix things up.
Best served: Ice cold, and a fun option to include when you want variety across a gathering.
Apple Thief Cider Collection 12 Pack
The smart way to try the whole range
If you cannot decide, or you simply want to explore everything Apple Thief does, the 12 Pack Collection is the obvious choice. It brings the range together in one box, letting you taste the classic Pink Lady alongside the fruit-blended options and work out your favourite.
This is also the best option for entertaining, giving your guests genuine choice, and it makes a thoughtful gift for anyone cutting back on alcohol who still wants proper flavour and variety in their fridge.
Best for: Exploring the full range, entertaining a group, and gifting.
What Makes Apple Thief Work Without Alcohol
A quick note on why this cider succeeds where a lot of the category struggles.
The biggest challenge with non-alcoholic cider is holding onto the crisp, dry character that makes cider enjoyable. Take out the alcohol carelessly and you are left with something that tastes flat and one-dimensional. Apple Thief avoids this by building around a quality apple variety and keeping a proper balance between fruit and a clean, dry finish, with lively carbonation doing a lot of the work to keep everything feeling fresh and cider-like rather than juice-like.
The result is a range that genuinely drinks like cider, which is the whole point and the reason the ratings are as strong as they are.
Who Apple Thief Is For
This range has broad appeal well beyond just people avoiding alcohol entirely.
Apple Thief suits the designated driver who wants something with real character rather than a soft drink. It suits anyone cutting back on alcohol who still loves the crisp refreshment of a good cider. It works beautifully for pregnant drinkers, those on medication, and anyone who simply wants a lighter option that still feels like a proper drink. And with the fruit-blended options and the 12-pack, it is a genuinely good choice for entertaining a mixed group.
Is Apple Thief Worth Trying?
The short answer is yes, and the customer ratings agree. The classic Pink Lady cider, in both cans and bottles, is a genuinely excellent non-alcoholic cider that captures the crisp, refreshing character of the real thing. The fruit-blended cherry and blueberry options add welcome variety, and the 12-pack collection is the perfect way to explore the whole range.
If you have been let down by flat, juice-like non-alcoholic ciders in the past, Apple Thief is the one to restore your faith. Start with the classic Pink Lady, and go from there.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Apple Thief cider completely alcohol free?
Apple Thief non-alcoholic cider is made to contain little to no alcohol, typically under 0.5% ABV, which is the standard for the non-alcoholic category. Check the individual product label for the exact figure, as those needing to completely avoid alcohol for medical or personal reasons should always confirm the specific ABV on the can or bottle.
2. What does Apple Thief non-alcoholic cider taste like?
It tastes like proper cider: crisp, refreshing, and apple-forward, built around real Pink Lady apples. The classic version balances fresh apple character with a clean, dry finish and lively carbonation. The fruit-blended options add cherry or blueberry character over that same crisp apple base.
3. Which Apple Thief cider should I try first?
Start with the classic Pink Lady cider, available in both cans and bottles. It is the flagship of the range and holds the strongest rating at 4.9 out of 5. Once you know you enjoy it, the Apple & Cherry and Apple & Blueberry offer a fruitier twist, and the 12-pack lets you explore everything.
4. Is non-alcoholic cider high in sugar?
Sugar content varies between non-alcoholic ciders depending on how they are made. Since this can differ across products and batches, check the individual product label for the specific nutritional information if sugar content is a priority for you.
5. Can I buy Apple Thief cider in bulk?
Yes. Apple Thief is available in single cans, cases of 4, 6, and 24, and as a 12-pack collection that combines the different styles. Buying by the case is the better-value option if you have found a favourite, and the collection pack is ideal for trying the full range or for entertaining.
