Ciders can be classified from dry to sweet and therefore the flavour of cider varies. Their appearance ranges from cloudy with sediment to completely clear, and their colour ranges from almost colourless to amber to brown. The variations in clarity and colour are mostly due to filtering between pressing and fermentation. Some apple varieties will produce a clear cider without any need for filtration. Both sparkling and still ciders are made; the sparkling variety is the more common.

There are two broad types of alcoholic ginger beer but the differences are marked. Ginger Beer can be a brewed drink, in varying degrees of alcoholic strength, made from ginger or from the ginger plant. It is also available in the form of a 'regular' lager style beer flavoured with ginger.