Apple Cider Sangria
Apple Cider Sangria is an easy fall drink made with crisp white wine, fresh apple cider, sliced fruit, and cinnamon sticks. Make it ahead for fall parties, Thanksgiving, or any autumn gathering, then add sparkling water just before serving for a light, refreshing finish.
Once apple cider shows up for the season, I tend to find reasons to put it in everything. Sometimes that means an Apple Cider Donut Cake. Sometimes it means adding an entire bottle of wine.
Apple cider and Fireball was also my go-to fall drink for years, so apparently apple cider + alcohol is a theme I have been committed to for quite some time.
This Apple Cider Sangria is the fall version of my traditional Spanish sangria, swapping the red wine and summer fruit for crisp white wine, fresh apple cider, sliced apples, oranges, and cinnamon sticks.
It’s easy to make ahead, not overly sweet, and exactly the sort of pitcher drink that works well for fall gatherings. Mix everything together, chill it for a few hours, and add sparkling water just before serving.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Apple Cider
Use fresh apple cider, not apple juice. The cider gives the sangria a deeper apple flavor and a little natural sweetness without needing any added sugar.
White Wine
A dry white wine works best here. Pinot Grigio is my first choice because it stays crisp and lets the apple cider shine, but Sauvignon Blanc also works well. If you prefer red wine, use a lighter, fruit-forward red such as Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, or Garnacha rather than a heavily oaked or tannic wine.
Apples
Use 2 crisp apples, thinly sliced. Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Fuji, or Gala are all good options. Using one sweeter apple and one tart apple gives a little more contrast.
Brandy
Optional, but a classic addition if you want a stronger sangria. You can also swap in Fireball for more cinnamon flavor, which is a nod to my old go-to combination of apple cider and Fireball.
Sparkling Water
Add this just before serving so the sangria stays fizzy. Plain sparkling water or club soda both work well, but ginger-flavored sparkling water is especially good here if you want to add a little extra fall flavor without making the sangria sweeter.
Resting Gives Sangria More Flavor
You can drink sangria right after mixing it, but giving it a few hours in the refrigerator makes a noticeable difference. The apples, orange, and cinnamon all need a little time to flavor the wine and cider.
Kitchen Chemistry
As sangria rests, flavor compounds slowly move from the fruit and spices into the liquid through diffusion. Ethanol also helps dissolve some aromatic compounds that are less soluble in water, which is one reason wine is particularly good at pulling flavor from citrus peel and cinnamon.
Two hours is enough to get the process started without letting the fruit sit so long that it becomes overly soft. Add the sparkling water after chilling so all that carbonation stays in the glass instead of disappearing in the refrigerator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wine is best for apple cider sangria?
A dry, crisp white wine works best. Pinot Grigio is my first choice, but Sauvignon Blanc is another good option. If you prefer red wine, choose a lighter, fruit-forward variety like Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, or Garnacha.
Can I make apple cider sangria ahead of time?
Yes. In fact, it tastes better after a few hours in the refrigerator. Make it at least 2 hours ahead, or up to about 8 hours ahead. Wait to add the sparkling water until just before serving.
Do I have to add brandy?
Not at all. The sangria is plenty flavorful without it. If you want a stronger drink, add 1/2 cup brandy. You can also use Fireball instead for a more pronounced cinnamon flavor.
Can I make this nonalcoholic?
Yes. Replace the wine with a nonalcoholic white wine, or use extra apple cider plus sparkling water. For the latter, I’d add a little more sparkling water than usual so the drink does not become too sweet.
How long does apple cider sangria keep?
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The fruit will continue to soften, and the sparkling water will lose its fizz, so add a fresh splash before serving again.
More Delicious Drinks
- Cranberry Cider Champagne Punch
- Traditional Spanish Sangria
- Cherry Bounce
- Blueberry Basil Lemonade
- Rosemary Lavender Lemonade
- Homemade Irish Cream
Apple Cider Sangria
Apple Cider Sangria is an easy fall drink made with crisp white wine, fresh apple cider, sliced fruit, and cinnamon sticks, perfect for fall parties and celebrations.
Ingredients
- 1 bottle (750 mL) Pinot Grigio
- 3 cups apple cider
- 2 crisp apples, thinly sliced
- 1 orange, thinly sliced
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1/2 cup brandy, optional
- 1 cup sparkling water or club soda
- Optional garnishes: additional apple slices, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and star anise
Instructions
- In a large pitcher, combine the white wine, apple cider, sliced apples, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and brandy, if using.
- Stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 8 hours.
Just before serving, add the sparkling water or club soda and stir gently. - Pour into glasses, adding some of the fruit from the pitcher to each glass.
- Garnish with additional apple or orange slices, cinnamon sticks, or star anise, if desired.
Notes
- Wine: Pinot Grigio is a good choice because it is crisp and relatively neutral. Sauvignon Blanc also works well. For a red wine version, use a lighter, fruit-forward wine such as Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, or Garnacha.
- Apples: Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Fuji, and Gala all work well. Use two different varieties if you want a mix of sweeter and more tart apple flavor.
- Brandy: The brandy is optional. For a stronger cinnamon flavor, replace the brandy with 1/2 cup Fireball.
- Make ahead: Assemble the sangria up to 8 hours before serving, but wait to add the sparkling water until just before serving.
- Storage: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The fruit will soften and the carbonation will fade, so add a fresh splash of sparkling water before serving again.
- Nonalcoholic version: Replace the wine with nonalcoholic white wine and omit the brandy. You can also use additional apple cider in place of the wine, but increase the sparkling water to keep the drink from becoming too sweet.
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