Every autumn, the unmistakable smell of apple cider drifts through the crisp air.
Whether you’re enjoying a mug at a nearby farm or sipping from your own homemade recipe, it’s no secret that the beloved beverage requires quite a few ingredients to make it taste just right.
But how much does it really cost to make your own apple cider?
We did some research to break down all the costs associated with making apple cider in order to give you an idea of what to expect when budgeting for your next batch.
Let’s dive in!
Gathering the Necessary Materials
You may be wondering how much you’ll need to spend to make your own apple cider.
The good news is that you won’t need to break the bank! It all starts with the right supplies.
To make your own delicious apple cider, you’ll need:
Apples
Depending on the size of your batch, you’ll need between 10 – 13 pounds of apples per gallon.
Look for local orchards for a great price.
A Fruit Press
If you want a smooth and consistent apple cider, you’ll need to invest in a good fruit press.
Prices can vary from $100-$500 depending on your needs and budget.
Yeast
Yeast helps speed up the fermentation process and can be purchased in either dry or liquid form.
A 5-gram packet of dry yeast only costs around $1, while liquid yeast will set you back $7 or so per 5mL vial.
Jugs
To store your cider once it’s done, you’ll need at least 2-3 jugs or carboys with airlocks ($20-$30 each).
Bottles
Finally, if you plan on bottling and storing or selling your cider, pick up some bottles at around $5 per dozen (plus caps and labels).
What Equipment Do You Need?
No matter what scale you’re making apple cider on, there is some basic equipment that will be required.
This includes a basic crusher, grinder, press, and containers to store the freshly made cider.
Depending on your budget and operation size, more sophisticated tools may be necessary to be able to make a large volume of apple cider efficiently and effectively.
The cost of production will depend largely on the manual versus an automated process that you choose – so it’s important to consider what type of setup is best for your business first before moving forward with purchasing any additional equipment.
Adding Up Any Additional Costs
Making apple cider doesn’t have to be an expensive process.
Sure, you’ll spend a good chunk of money on the basic ingredients, but you don’t need to break the bank for added-on costs.
Here are some extra costs to consider:
Labor costs
Labor can be one of your biggest expenses when it comes to making apple cider.
It takes several people manning different stations—from pressing and crushing apples to filtering and bottling the finished product.
Not to mention, you’ll also need someone to oversee the whole process and make sure everything runs smoothly.
Equipment Costs
Equipment like presses, filters, barrels, and bottles all require an upfront investment, but they’re worth it if you plan on producing cider in bulk.
Just make sure you find quality equipment that will last—buying something that breaks down easily negates any money saved in the beginning.
Shipping Costs
If you’re selling your cider online or out-of-state, shipping costs can add up quickly.
But if you plan ahead with proper packaging materials and negotiate good rates with a reliable shipping company, it won’t take too big of a bite out of your profits.
Besides labor, equipment, and shipping costs, there are other expenses that could add up: wages for seasonal workers during peak production periods; rental payments for storage space; insurance; licensing fees; advertising; etc.
But as long as you’ve got a comprehensive budget from the get-go, these added costs shouldn’t be too worrisome or cause any budget overruns along the way.
Finalizing the Cost of Making Apple Cider
Finally, it’s time to tally up all the expenses associated with making apple cider. This figure should include all material costs, labor costs, and overhead costs.
The total cost to make apple cider includes all the following:
Apples
Depending on the quantity you’re using; this can range from $12 to $100 and more.
Spices
If you choose to add spices like cloves and cinnamon to your cider recipe, it can cost around $1-3 depending on the size.
Water
Unless you’re sourcing spring water for your cider, tap water won’t cost you anything since it comes from the local water supply!
Once again, if you opt for higher quality filtered water then that might increase the cost slightly but not by too much.
Equipment
This includes all the equipment required to make your cider, such as a juicer, jars, lids, and other items.
These tend to cost anywhere from $500 and up, but this is a one-time investment.
Labeling expenses
If you plan to sell your cider in bottles or cans, you’ll need to pay for labels and other packaging materials.
These costs can range from a few dollars each for bulk orders of labels or cans to around $2-$3 per label if you’re printing them yourself.
Shipping costs
This will depend on how much product you need to ship out of your production facility each week or month.
Labor costs
If you hire someone to help with bottling or labeling your cider, or if you need an employee in charge of running the juicing machine, these will add up as well.
Overhead expenses
These can include energy bills associated with running your facility (lighting, heating/cooling), insurance bills related to production activities, and more.
All in all, it can cost you around $100 for 6 gallons of apple cider
Conclusion
While there can be a lot of costs associated with making apple cider, you can also save a lot of money.
By researching the best suppliers, buying in bulk, and keeping up a good relationship with them, you can get discounts on your apple cider ingredients.
So, get out there and start juicing some apples!
