There’s just something magical about fall, isn’t there? The crisp air, the changing leaves, and all those cozy gatherings with friends and family. And when you’re hosting, you need a signature drink that feels just as festive as the season. That’s why I absolutely adore making a big pitcher of Apple cider sangria. It’s got all those warm, comforting fall flavors – like sweet apples and a hint of cinnamon – but it’s still wonderfully refreshing. Seriously, it’s so easy to whip up, and it just makes everyone happy. I remember the first time I made it for a Friendsgiving, and the smiles around the table were just priceless. It’s those simple moments of sharing something delicious and homemade that truly make autumn special. You can follow along with our kitchen adventures over on Facebook too!
- Why You'll Love This Apple Cider Sangria
- Gather Your Ingredients for Apple Cider Sangria
- Crafting the Perfect Apple Cider Sangria
- Variations for Your Apple Cider Sangria
- Serving Your Apple Cider Sangria
- Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Cider Sangria
- Nutritional Information for Apple Cider Sangria
- Share Your Apple Cider Sangria Creations!
Why You’ll Love This Apple Cider Sangria
Seriously, this Apple cider sangria is a total game-changer for your fall get-togethers, and here’s why:
- It’s ridiculously easy to make! Mix everything in a pitcher, chill, and serve. Perfection!
- The flavors are pure autumn bliss – sweet apple cider, warm cinnamon, and bright fruit. It’s like a cozy hug in a glass.
- It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser! Whether it’s a big family dinner or just a few friends popping over, this pitcher is always a hit.
- You can totally customize the sweetness, so it’s just right for every palate.
Gather Your Ingredients for Apple Cider Sangria
Alright, let’s talk about what you’ll need to whip up this amazing Apple cider sangria. The beauty of this drink is that you probably already have a lot of these goodies in your pantry or kitchen! For the base, you’ll want a dry white wine – I really love using something like a crisp Pinot Grigio or a bright Sauvignon Blanc, but honestly, whatever you have on hand works wonderfully. Then, we pair that with about a cup of good quality apple cider. Don’t grab the super-sweet stuff; a nice crisp cider really lets those fall flavors shine through.
Now, for the fun extras! A splash of brandy or applejack (if you’re feeling a little extra!) adds a lovely warmth. And a bit of orange liqueur, like Triple Sec or Cointreau, gives it that perfect touch of citrusy sweetness. If you like things a little sweeter, a couple of tablespoons of sugar or maple syrup will do the trick, but you can totally skip it if you prefer! The stars of the show, though, are the fresh fruits. I always grab one crisp apple, one ripe pear, and an orange, all thinly sliced. And you absolutely cannot forget the cinnamon sticks – two are perfect for infusing that cozy aroma and flavor. If you happen to have a star anise, toss that in too; it adds a subtle, magical complexity!
Remember, the better the ingredients, the better your sangria will taste. It’s always worth picking up the freshest produce you can find! If you’re curious about my kitchen philosophy, you can read more here.
Crafting the Perfect Apple Cider Sangria
Okay, now for the fun part – putting it all together! It’s honestly so simple, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made it every fall already. It’s almost as easy as making my famous apple cider donuts!
Combining the Liquids for Your Apple Cider Sangria
First things first, grab your biggest pitcher – you know, the one that feels like it could hold a small potion! Pour in your bottle of dry white wine, then add the apple cider. Next, if you’re using it, add that lovely brandy or applejack and the orange liqueur. Give it a gentle stir just to get everything acquainted.
Adding the Fruit and Spices
Now, let’s make it pretty and flavorful! Gently toss in your thinly sliced apples, pears, and the orange slices. See how they just float there? So gorgeous! Don’t forget those cinnamon sticks; they’ll slowly release their warm, spicy magic. If you’ve got a star anise, drop it in too – it’s kind of like a secret ingredient that makes everything smell amazing.
The Importance of Chilling Your Apple Cider Sangria
This is the most important step, trust me! You absolutely have to let this mixture chill out in the fridge. We call it a ‘make-ahead’ drink for a reason! At least 4 hours is great, but overnight is truly the sweet spot. This gives all those wonderful flavors – the wine, the cider, the fruit, the spices – time to really meld together and get to know each other. It makes all the difference, I promise! When it’s ready, a little splash of sparkling water or club soda right before serving adds a nice fizz, too.
Variations for Your Apple Cider Sangria
You know, the best part about making sangria is how easy it is to make it your own! It’s like a blank canvas for all those delicious fall flavors. I love playing around with different additions, and I’ve got a couple of favorite ways to jazz this Apple cider sangria up. You can find more of my recipe adventures, like this pumpkin bread, on my blog!
Hard Cider Sangria Alternative
If you’re a big fan of hard cider, you can totally switch this up! Just swap out the bottle of white wine and the cup of apple cider for about 2 cups of your favorite hard apple cider. Trust me, it still tastes wonderfully festive and has a bit of a different kick!
Adding Extra Fall Flavors
For a pop of color and a little tartness, try tossing in some fresh cranberries or pomegranate seeds. They look so pretty floating in the sangria, and they really add to that whole Friendsgiving vibe!
Serving Your Apple Cider Sangria
Once your Apple cider sangria has had its lovely chill time, it’s ready for the grand finale! Grab your prettiest glassware – maybe some wine glasses or even cute mason jars. Fill them generously with ice, then ladle in that beautiful, flavor-infused sangria. It looks absolutely stunning with the colorful fruit and cinnamon sticks suspended in the amber liquid. And for that extra touch of fall magic, garnish each glass with a few fresh slices of the fruit that are chilling in the pitcher, and maybe even a fresh cinnamon stick for you to sniff as you sip. It’s like a little edible piece of art, almost as fun as making caramel apple nachos!
Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Cider Sangria
Got questions about making this delightful Apple cider sangria? I’ve got answers for you! It’s one of those recipes that’s pretty forgiving, but it’s always good to know a few little secrets.
Can I Make Apple Cider Sangria Ahead of Time?
Oh, absolutely! That’s one of the best things about this recipe. You can totally mix it all up the day before, or even up to two days ahead. The longer it chills, the more those flavors get to really soak into the fruit and mingle together. It just makes it even tastier!
How to Adjust Sweetness in Apple Cider Sangria
This is totally up to your tastebuds! If you prefer a sweeter drink, just stir in a tablespoon or two of sugar or maple syrup when you’re mixing the liquids. Taste it after it’s chilled a bit, and add more if you think it needs it. If you’re using a sweeter apple cider, you might not need any extra sweetener at all!
What White Wine is Best for Apple Cider Sangria?
For this recipe, I really like lean towards dry white wines. Think Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or even a dry Riesling. They have a nice crispness that balances out the sweetness of the apple cider and fruit really well. You want something that won’t overpower the other flavors!
You can find all sorts of other delicious drinks in my drinks category, too!
Nutritional Information for Apple Cider Sangria
Now, let’s chat a little about the numbers for this delicious Apple cider sangria. Keep in mind, these are just estimates, and they can totally change depending on exactly what you put in and how big your pour is! But, roughly speaking, one serving (about a glass) comes in at around 200 calories. You’ve got about 18 grams of carbohydrates, mostly from the fruit and a little bit from the cider. It’s a pretty light drink overall, especially if you’re skipping added sweeteners!
Share Your Apple Cider Sangria Creations!
I just LOVE hearing from you all and seeing your kitchen triumphs! If you give this Apple cider sangria a try, please, please, PLEASE share your experience in the comments below. Did you add anything fun? How did it turn out? I also really love seeing photos – tag us on social media or email them over – it honestly makes my day! And if you enjoyed it, a quick rating would be super appreciated. Happy sipping! If you have any questions or want to chat further, feel free to reach out via the contact page!
PrintApple Cider Sangria
A refreshing fall sangria made with white wine and apple cider, perfect for gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 4 hr 15 min
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Drinks
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 bottle (750ml) dry white wine (like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc)
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1/4 cup brandy or applejack (optional)
- 1/4 cup orange liqueur (like Triple Sec or Cointreau)
- 2 tablespoons sugar or maple syrup (optional, for sweetness)
- 1 apple, thinly sliced
- 1 pear, thinly sliced
- 1 orange, thinly sliced
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 star anise (optional)
- Sparkling water or club soda, for topping (optional)
Instructions
- In a large pitcher, combine the white wine, apple cider, brandy (if using), and orange liqueur.
- Stir in the sugar or maple syrup until dissolved, if desired.
- Add the sliced apple, pear, orange, cinnamon sticks, and star anise (if using) to the pitcher.
- Stir gently to combine.
- Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld.
- When ready to serve, pour the sangria into wine glasses filled with ice.
- Top with a splash of sparkling water or club soda, if desired.
- Garnish with fresh fruit slices and a cinnamon stick.
Notes
- For a harder cider version, substitute 2 cups of hard apple cider for the white wine and apple cider.
- You can make this sangria up to 2 days in advance. The flavors will continue to deepen.
- Adjust the sweetness to your preference by adding more or less sugar or maple syrup.
- Consider adding other fall fruits like cranberries or pomegranate seeds for extra color and flavor.
- This recipe is easily scalable for larger crowds.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg