Apple Cider Sangria

Name: Apple Cider Sangria
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 2 bottles white wine (chilled); 1 cup brandy; 2 cups apple cider (chilled); 2 12 ounce ginger beer (chilled); 2 apples (sliced); 2 oranges (sliced); cinnamon sticks; star of anise; cranberries

5 minutes

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By: Julie Blanner3 Comments
Posted: 11/13/20

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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.

It’s no secret that I love Apple Cider – I use it in a number of my favorite fall cocktails including an Apple Cider Margarita, Spiked Apple Cider with Bourbon, Apple Cider Cocktail, Apple Cider Bourbon Slush and of course this incredible Apple Cider Sangria!

Sangria is a punch blending 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!

It’s an incredible Thanksgiving Cocktail that serves a crowd! You can easily double or triple to accommodate your Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving get together. You can also halve the recipe if you’re celebrating a Virtual Thanksgiving!

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.

A glass bar cart with fall flowers in a vase, and a pumpkin drink dispenser filled with apple cider sangria.

Not only does it taste amazing, but it looks fun and festive as well! You can serve it in a pitcher, standard punch bowl or dress it up with this beautiful pumpkin beverage dispenser.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Fall Sangria Recipe

Quick
Easy
Beautiful
Crowd Pleaser

A clear glass full of Christmas sangria with cranberries and a cinnamon stick.

Apple Cider Sangria Ingredients

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.
Gingerbeer – 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

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

How to Make Apple Cider Sangria

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.
Allow the flavors to meld 15 minute before serving.

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.

Serving Suggestions for Fall Sangria

Rim the Glass – Dip in simple syrup followed by cinnamon sugar.
Garnish – Serve with a cinnamon stick, star of anise and plenty of cranberries.

Serving Suggestions for Christmas Sangria

Garnish with a sprig of rosemary for a pop of green next to the red cranberries
Use a sparkling apple cider for an extra festive bubbly holiday touch!
Garnish with a pretty dried orange curl for a pretty accent.

A close up shot of a fall apple cider sangria recipe, with cranberries, apples and cinnamon sticks floating.

Recipe 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).

What are the best apples for sangria?

Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, or Granny Smith

Do you peel apples for sangria?

Leaving the skin on adds extra flavor.

A clear glass pumpkin drink dispenser filled with an apple cider sangria recipe, dispensing fall sangria into a glass.

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!