sugar ratio confusion

[heating8]

I'm only talking about the basic recipe. not backsweetening, or bottling.

I see everything from : 2 lbs brown sugar / gallon of cider to
1/4 cup / gallon to
no additional

 

[gratus fermentatio]

It all works, people tend to tweak recipes to their own liking or to what they think will be tasty. The 1 rule of thumb with added sugar is: the higher the amount, the longer the wait. I find that 2lbs of added sugar in 5 or 6 gallons of apple juice makes for a good middle ground; not too much, but a definate ABV boost. Try different amounts, or none at all & see what you like best; at the very least it gives you a good reason to make more.