Pumpkin cider is a popular fall drink made from pumpkin puree, apple cider, spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and sometimes additional ingredients like orange juice. Downeast pumpkin cider is a widely available brand of pumpkin cider that many people enjoy during the autumn season.
What is Downeast Pumpkin Cider?
Downeast pumpkin cider is a seasoned pumpkin cider produced by Downeast Cider House in Boston, MA. It’s made from a blend of pumpkin puree, apple cider, fall spices, and orange juice. The cider has a deep amber color and is unfiltered, giving it a pulpy, cloudy appearance. It contains cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and other spices that create a signature fall flavor profile.
Downeast pumpkin cider is sold seasonally in the fall in 6-packs of 12 oz bottles or cans. It has an alcohol content of 5.1% ABV. Downeast suggests serving it over ice or warming it up as a winter treat. Some food pairings they recommend include pork, chicken, chili, baked brie, and pumpkin bread.
Nutrition Facts for Downeast Pumpkin Cider
Downeast pumpkin cider contains 130 calories per 12 oz serving. It also contains the following nutrients:
- Total Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Sugars: 15 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Total Fat: 0 g
As you can see, the majority of the calories in Downeast pumpkin cider come from carbohydrates, specifically natural sugars. Ciders get nearly all of their carbohydrate content from apples, and the sugar in pumpkin ciders comes from both apple cider and pumpkin puree.
Downeast pumpkin cider does not contain significant amounts of protein, fat, fiber, vitamins, or minerals. The nutrition is derived mainly from the apple cider, pumpkin puree, orange juice, and fall spice components.
Calorie and Carb Content in Context
At 130 calories and 18 grams of carbs per 12 oz serving, Downeast pumpkin cider is moderate in calories and carbohydrates compared to other fall drink options:
| Beverage (12 oz serving) | Calories | Total Carbs (g) |
|---|---|---|
| Downeast Pumpkin Cider | 130 | 18 |
| Hot apple cider | 117 | 29 |
| Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte (grande) | 380 | 49 |
| Dunkin Donuts Pumpkin Flavored Coffee (medium) | 100 | 24 |
As you can see, Downeast pumpkin cider has a similar calorie count to plain hot apple cider or a medium pumpkin coffee. However it’s significantly lower in calories than a pumpkin spice latte. It also has fewer carbs per serving compared to other ciders and pumpkin-flavored beverages.
Calorie Count for Different Serving Sizes
Here is the calorie count for Downeast pumpkin cider based on different serving sizes:
| Serving Size | Calories |
|---|---|
| 12 oz (1 bottle) | 130 |
| 1 oz | 11 |
| 8 oz | 87 |
| 16 oz | 260 |
A few things to note:
- One 12 oz bottle contains 130 calories
- A 1 oz serving (like a taste test) is just 11 calories
- An 8 oz glass or cider mug pour equals 87 calories
- A large 16 oz pint glass is 260 calories
So you can scale the 130 calories per 12 oz bottle depending on how much Downeast pumpkin cider you drink. Consuming a larger 16 oz pint, for example, would double the calories.
Calories from Alcohol in Downeast Pumpkin Cider
Since Downeast pumpkin cider contains 5.1% alcohol by volume, some of its calories come from the alcohol itself. Let’s take a look at how many calories come specifically from the alcohol content:
- There are 130 calories in 12 oz of Downeast pumpkin cider
- 12 oz contains 5.1% alcohol = 0.6 oz alcohol per bottle
- There are 98 calories in 1 oz of alcohol
- So 0.6 oz alcohol x 98 calories = 59 calories
This means of the total 130 calories per 12 oz bottle, around 59 calories (or 45% of the total) come from the alcohol itself. The remaining 71 calories come from the apple cider, pumpkin, orange juice, and spices that make up the non-alcoholic part.
Tips for Drinking Downeast Pumpkin Cider
Here are some tips for enjoying Downeast pumpkin cider while keeping calories in check:
Measure your pour size
Pay attention to how much cider you’re drinking – an 8 oz glass will be lower in calories than a pint. Use a measuring cup or pour into a skinny cocktail glass to keep portions under control.
Drink over ice
Adding ice to your glass will help water down the cider slightly, meaning you can drink more of it with fewer calories. It also gives it a nice chilled texture.
Alternate with water
Prevent excess calorie intake by drinking a glass of water between ciders. This will help you sip slower and rehydrate.
Avoid additional high-cal mixers
Skip mixing your pumpkin cider with high calorie ingredients like whipped cream, caramel sauce, or butterscotch schnapps. Stick to simple low calorie mixers like lemonade, ginger ale, or seltzer water.
Watch your portion sizes
Stick to a 12 oz serving size, or an 8 oz glass to limit your calorie intake. Avoid going back for second or third helpings which can quickly add up.
The Bottom Line
Downeast pumpkin cider contains 130 calories and 18 grams of carbohydrates per 12 oz bottle, which is moderate compared to other pumpkin-flavored fall drinks. About 45% of those calories come from the 5.1% alcohol content. Pay attention to serving sizes, alternate with water, avoid high calorie mixers, and portion properly to keep your cider calories in check. Sip mindfully and enjoy all the flavors of autumn!
