This apple cider sangria recipe is the chilly weather cocktail you need in your life! It’s the perfect combination of sweet cider, zesty ginger, and warm spices.
This is a fall and winter sangria everyone will love! Bursting with festive seasonal fruits and fragrances, it’s so easy to make for a crowd.
It’s no secret that I love apple cider – we enjoy making it homemade, but we buy it locally during the season as well. I use it in a number of my favorite fall cocktails!
Don’t skip my famous apple cider margarita or this spiked apple cider with bourbon.
Sangria is a punch that beautifully blends wine and fruit. This apple cider sangria is a taste of fall with white wine, brandy, apple cider, ginger beer, apples, oranges, cinnamon, star of anise and garnished with cranberries for a pop of color!
Apple Cider Sangria
The sweet flavors of apple cider and wine are paired with brandy, ginger beer and warm spices for a deliciously refreshing taste of fall! It is the perfect sip to enjoy alone or paired with your favorite Thanksgiving appetizers and hors d’oeuvres.
This apple cider recipe serves beautifully as both a fall sangria and a Christmas sangria! You can customize it a little to your serving preferences depending on the season.
Why You’ll Love It
Not only does it taste amazing, but it looks fun and festive as well!
Ingredients and Substitutions
- White Wine – Dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio work best but if you prefer sweeter you can use Moscato or Riesling.
- Brandy – Adding brandy to sangria gives a certain richness in both color and flavor.
- Apple Cider – Homemade apple cider or store-bought.
- Ginger Beer – Adds flavor and a little sparkle!
- Apples – Your pick! Gala, Jonathan, Fuji and Pink Lady are among my favorites.
- Oranges – Naval oranges offer a hint of citrus flavor.
- Cranberries – To garnish,
- Cinnamon – The ultimate fall and winter spice! You can sprinkle in ground cinnamon or allow flavors to meld immersing cinnamon sticks.
- Star of Anise – Gorgeous garnish that adds warm flavor and scent.
Variations
- Pear Cider Sangria – Simply substitute apple cider for Pear Cider
- Caramel Apple Sangria – Simply add up to a half cup of Caramel Sauce
- Make it Bubbly – Use sparkling apple cider for an extra festive bubbly holiday touch!
Tools to Use
- You can serve it in a pitcher, standard punch bowl or dress it up with a beautiful pumpkin beverage dispenser. (Ours was Pottery Barn but is no longer sold.)
- Stemless Wine Glasses
How to Make
- Combine – In a large pitcher or beverage dispenser, combine chilled wine, brandy, cider and ginger beer. Add apples, oranges, cinnamon sticks, star of anise and cranberries.
- Chill – Refrigerate 15+ minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving.
Serving Suggestions
- Rim the Glass – Dip in simple syrup followed by cinnamon sugar.
- Garnish – Serve with a cinnamon stick, star of anise and plenty of cranberries. For a holiday touch, garnish with a sprig of rosemary for a pop of green next to the red cranberries or add a pretty dried orange curl.
Tips
- Chill ingredients before making.
- If making ahead, combine and add fruit and ginger beer just before serving. This prevents the Apple Cider Sangria from losing its bubbly and the sangria fruit from becoming mealy.
- Allow flavors to marinate 15 minutes before serving, (up to six hours before).
Frequently Asked Questions
Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, or Granny Smith are all great choices for sangria! Choose a crispy, sturdy apple that will hold up to soaking in liquid.
Leaving the skin on adds extra flavor, color and texture. It’s personal preference of course, but we enjoy them!
How to Store
- Refrigerate – you can store sangria for up to three days in your refrigerator. However, the bubbles from the ginger beer will start to flatten within that time range, and any cut fruit in the sangria could begin to brown.
- Freeze – Yes, you can freeze sangria! Simply separate the fruits from your sangria and then freeze the remain liquid in an airtight container with a few inches remaining at the top for the wine to expand. Simply defrost and serve with new fresh fruits when you’re ready!
More Fall Cocktail Inspiration
Apple Cider Sangria
Ingredients
- 50 ounces white wine (2 bottles) chilled
- 1 cup brandy
- 2 cups apple cider chilled
- 24 ounces ginger beer chilled
- 2 apples sliced into chunks
- 2 oranges sliced
Garnish
- cinnamon sticks
- star of anise
- cranberries
Instructions
- In a large pitcher or beverage dispenser, combine chilled wine, brandy, cider and gingerbeer.
- Add apples, oranges, cinnamon sticks, star of anise and cranberries.
- Allow to flavors to meld 15 minute before serving.
Julie’s Tips
Variations
- Add Pomegranate Seeds or Pears
- Pear Cider Sangria – Simply substitute apple cider for Pear Cider
- Caramel Apple Sangria – Simply add up to a half cup of Caramel Sauce
To Store
- Refrigerate – you can store sangria for up to three days in your refrigerator.
- Freeze – Simply separate the fruits from your sangria and then freeze the remain liquid in an airtight container with a few inches remaining at the top for the wine to expand. Defrost and serve with new fresh fruits when you’re ready!
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
Looks so good. Does the ginger beer go flat if it sits for a while? Should I wait before serving to add it?
I love every ingredient in this recipe! Can’t wait to make this for Thanksgiving!
Thank you! Hope you enjoy it as much as we do! Cheers!
Wow, this is so pretty! And that pumpkin dispenser is so cute. I was expecting it to cost more than it does, but it’s actually pretty affordable.