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Easy Apple Cider Sangria: The Best Fall Drink

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This easy apple cider sangria is the perfect fall drink—crisp white wine, apple cider, and brandy come together with fresh fruit and warm spices for a cozy, crowd-pleasing cocktail that gets better after a few hours in the fridge.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (950 ml) apple cider
  • 1 bottle (750 ml) dry white wine (Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc)
  • ½ cup (120 ml) brandy (apple brandy like Calvados preferred)
  • 2–3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup, to taste
  • 2–3 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 pods star anise (optional)
  • 2 medium fresh apples (mix of Honeycrisp and Granny Smith), thinly sliced
  • 1 large orange, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup (60 g) fresh cranberries (optional)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) club soda or sparkling water, for serving

Instructions

  1. Wash the apples and orange thoroughly. Slice the apples into thin rounds or half-moons (about ¼-inch thick). Slice the orange into thin rounds. If using cranberries, rinse them and pick out any squishy ones.
  2. In a large pitcher, pour in the apple cider, white wine, and brandy. Add the honey or maple syrup. Stir gently with a wooden spoon until the sweetener is mostly dissolved.
  3. Drop in the cinnamon sticks and star anise (if using). Add the apple slices, orange slices, and cranberries. Give everything a gentle stir to distribute the fruit evenly.
  4. Cover the pitcher with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
  5. Just before serving, remove the pitcher from the fridge. Remove the cinnamon sticks and star anise if desired. Pour in the club soda or sparkling water and stir gently. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
  6. Fill glasses or mason jars with ice. Ladle or pour the sangria over the ice, making sure to include some fruit slices in each glass. Garnish with an extra cinnamon stick or fresh apple slice if desired.

Notes

For best flavor, let the sangria rest overnight. Remove cinnamon sticks and star anise after 24 hours to prevent them from becoming overpowering. Add club soda just before serving to keep it fizzy. Use firm apples like Fuji or Pink Lady to avoid mushiness. For a non-alcoholic version, replace wine with more apple cider and brandy with a splash of non-alcoholic apple cider vinegar.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider sangria, fall sangria, easy sangria, apple cider cocktail, fall drink, sangria recipe

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