Alcoholx, have you seen the yeast that some people are using to create a sweeter cider? I can't find a link for it off hand, but I'm sure Roddy tried it so he may be able to help. Personally I like it dry and although I brew beer I like the odd cider on a hot day.
cheapbrew, I think your mate is right. I syphoned off 4 litres of so of my last cider and primed it with blackcurrant. The blackcurrant taste was negligible in
the final product. I pretty much decided then that to get a flavoured cider the syrup would have to be added at the start.
I did do an experiment a couple of weeks ago, but haven't had time to write it up. Basically using a syrup / cordial which had preservatives in. Took ages to get going. I'll see how it goes. I just had a theory which I wanted to test.
I've done one close to two weeks ago now using No added sugar squash , 750ml of it boiled over and added to 3.5l of apple juice and it is amazing so close to supermarket cider, I opened a small bottle last night and my brother was amazed that it tasted so good but in the other hand he tasted my festive one and said it was ****e [emoji15][emoji15][emoji85][emoji85]
Defo suggest using squash if you are going for a sweet cider [emoji106]