Can you drink apple cider while pregnant?
Check firstPasteurized apple cider is safe during pregnancy. Unpasteurized cider from farm stands and orchards should be skipped, or brought to a rolling boil first. Hard cider contains alcohol and is off the menu.
Why
Sweet apple cider splits on pasteurization, like all juice: the FDA warns pregnant women off untreated juice because unpasteurized cider has driven E. coli outbreaks, and orchard-fresh cider sold by the glass or jug is often untreated. The fixes are easy: buy pasteurized cider, which most grocery cider is, or heat untreated cider to a full boil for a minute, which mulling can accomplish if you actually boil it. Hard cider is an alcoholic drink and follows the alcohol rule: none during pregnancy.
Safer alternatives
- Pasteurized cider, warmed with mulling spices
- Hot spiced pasteurized apple juice
- A caffeine-free herbal apple-cinnamon infusion
Sources
- FDA https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/what-you-need-know-about-juice-safety
- FDA https://www.fda.gov/food/people-risk-foodborne-illness/fruits-veggies-and-juices-food-safety-moms-be
Every verdict follows our sourcing methodology: official health guidelines only, most cautious position when they differ.
Frequently asked questions
Is the cider at an apple orchard safe while pregnant?
Ask whether it is pasteurized or UV-treated; many orchards now treat their cider, but fresh-pressed untreated cider is still common and the FDA says juice sold by the glass carries no warning label. If nobody can confirm, skip it or take a jug home and boil it before drinking.
Does mulling cider make it safe?
Only if it genuinely boils: the FDA's fix for untreated juice is a rolling boil for about a minute, not just steaming with cinnamon sticks. Bring it to a full boil, then keep it warm, and you get safety plus the cozy spices.
Is sparkling cider like Martinelli's okay?
Yes, bottled sparkling cider is pasteurized and non-alcoholic, which is why it is the classic pregnancy toast. Check the label to be sure you have the non-alcoholic bottle, not a hard cider.
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