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.

A clear glass pumpkin drink dispenser filled with apple cider sangria.
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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!

A clear glass of apple cider sangria, garnished with a cinnamon stick.

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.

A clear glass pumpkin drink dispenser filled with apple cider sangria.

Why You’ll Love It

  • Quick – It’s so easy to make and you can even make it ahead!
  • Beautiful – Gorgeous and so festive to serve in a large glass container.
  • Crowd Pleaser – This is one of those cocktails that is almost too easy to drink. So many folks love it, it’s sure to be the hit of your party.

Not only does it taste amazing, but it looks fun and festive as well!

A clear glass of apple cider sangria

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 CiderHomemade 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!
A clear glass pumpkin drink dispenser filled with apple cider sangria.
A clear glass pumpkin drink dispenser filled with apple cider sangria.

Tools to Use

How to Make

  1. 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.
  2. Chill – Refrigerate 15+ minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving.
A clear glass pumpkin drink dispenser filled with apple cider sangria.

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.
A close up of apple cider sangria with floating spices, cinnamon sticks and cranberries.

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).
A clear glass pumpkin drink dispenser filled with apple cider sangria.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best apples for sangria?

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.

Do you peel apples for sangria?

Leaving the skin on adds extra flavor, color and texture. It’s personal preference of course, but we enjoy them!

A clear glass of apple cider sangria

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!
A clear glass pumpkin drink dispenser filled with apple cider sangria.

More Fall Cocktail Inspiration

A clear glass of apple cider sangria
5 from 3 votes
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Apple Cider Sangria

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.
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Servings: 8
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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!
Calories: 136kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 168mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 98IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg

Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.

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5 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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4 Comments

  1. 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.