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    Home » All » Apple Cider Sangria

    Published: Sep 21, 2021 · Modified: Feb 6, 2023 by Anna · This post may contain affiliate links, which means we make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you.

    Apple Cider Sangria

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    Glass of apple cider sangria garnished with pear and apple slices.
    Two tall wine glasses filled with apple cider sangria.
    Close up of apple cider sangria in a wine glass.
    Tall goblet wine glass filled with apple cider sangria, ice and apple slices.

    Fall cocktails don’t get much easier than this make-ahead Apple Cider Sangria recipe. Made with fragrant apple cider, dry white wine, spicy ginger liqueur, zesty cinnamon sticks and juicy pears, you can enjoy fresh fall flavor in each sip. Great drink for groups and prepped in minutes!

    Balloon wine glass filled with Apple Cider Sangria and garnished with apple and pear slices and cinnamon sticks. this recipe

    If there was such a thing as autumn in a glass, it would be this Apple Cider Sangria.

    Double the recipe to festively toast Thanksgiving with friends and family. Or scale it down for those cool October Netflix nights in your favorite cozy pants (fire in the fireplace is optional but totally recommended). 

    Jump to:
    • What makes this fall sangria recipe unique
    • What is sangria
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • FAQs
    • Expert tips to make the best Apple Cider Sangria
    • Serving suggestions
    • More fall drinks
    • Recipe

    What makes this fall sangria recipe unique

    All sangria recipes are made ahead of time so the ingredients have time to infuse together. They are easy to make and perfect drinks for hosting a crowd. This apple cider sangria is different in three tasty ways:

    • Sweet apples are a natural complement to the apple cider but the addition of juicy pears is an unexpected and tasty bonus.
    • Many sangrias use brandy but this recipe relies on ginger liqueur to give this drink vibrant fall flavor.
    • We double down on that ginger flavor by using ginger ale rather than club soda for the perfect fall sipper.
    Two balloon wine glasses filled with Apple Cider Sangria. Garnished with fresh apple and pear slices and cinnamon sticks.

    What is sangria

    Sangria originated in Spain and Portugal. Wine was combined with fruits, other spirits or liqueurs and juice to make a delicious, make-ahead batch cocktail. 

    Most often you’ll see recipes for red or white sangria and even rosé sangria. Usually these drinks are red, white or pink in color, depending on the wine used, and they are most often seen in the warm summer months. But this apple cider version reflects the all the colors and flavors of mild fall days and cool fall nights. 

    Ingredients

    Ingredients for Apple Cider Sangria on a dark board, including apple cider, ginger liquer, apples, pears, lemon juice, white wine and cinnamon sticks.

    A few ingredient notes: 

    • White wine - Choose a drier wine in this sangria; it helps offset the sweetness of the apple cider.
    • Ginger liqueur - This is one ingredient that you may not keep stocked in your liqueur cabinet (but you totally should!). There are several brands of ginger liqueur available. I used Domaine de Canton in this recipe.
    • Fresh lemon juice - Skip the bottled stuff. It contains preservatives that can impact flavor.
    • Ginger ale - I highly recommend Q Mixer Ginger Ale. It has a less sweet and more spicy flavor than typical grocery store ginger ale brands.

    Instructions

    The beauty of sangria is that it must be made ahead of time. The fruit needs time to chill out with the wine, liqueur and juices for maximum flavor. 

    Hand pouring white wine and apple cider into glass pitcher.

    Start by filling a large pitcher with the wine and cider.

    Hand pouring lemon juice & ginger liqueur into glass pitcher.

    Pour in the ginger liqueur and lemon juice.

    Hand adding sliced apples, pears and cinnamon sticks to a pitcher.

    Add the sliced apple and pear and a few cinnamon sticks to the pitcher.

    Hand pouring ginger ale into glass pitcher.

    Stir the sangria and refrigerate for at least four hours (more is better). Stir in ginger ale just before serving.

    FAQs

    What type of white wine do you use in sangria?


    A drier white wine is ideal for this sangria. I use either Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, but if you’re unsure, just ask for suggestions at your favorite liquor store. 

    Can I make a non-alcoholic version of this sangria? 


    Absolutely! Omit the wine and liqueur and add additional cider, ginger ale and a bit of non-alcoholic ginger syrup if you can find it. You may also want to include some club soda to cut the sweetness of the extra cider. 

    Can I use apple juice instead of apple cider? 


    Of course! Cider is basically pulverized apples that have been pressed into liquid form where juice is finely filtered to remove any solids. This filtration also gives the juice its clear look. You might might notice a milder taste if you use apple juice in this drink as cider generally has a stronger, more robust flavor.

    A glass of sangria, with Sangria and Apple slices.

    Expert tips to make the best Apple Cider Sangria

    ✘ Don't blow the bank on a bottle of wine for this sangria. Definitely buy something you'd drink by itself, but save the vintage stuff for another time.

    ✘ I like to use dry white wines in this sangria, so my go-to's are usually Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.

    ✘ The flavor of the sangria improves as it sits, so try to allow the flavors to mellow together for at least 4 hours before serving. 8 -12 hours is even better.

    ✘ Not serving sangria right away? Wait to add the bubbly ginger ale until right before serving to retain its effervescence.

    ✘ Sangria will last a few days in the fridge. After that, the fruit starts to get a little funky.

    ✘ This recipe is easily scaled. Double (or even triple) the recipe for Thanksgiving or halve it for a smaller group.

    Serving suggestions

    This cider sangria would be right at home whenever the leaves start to turn colors. Add it to your weekend football watching menu along with this crazy popular Green Olive Dip and a batch of easy slow cooker meatballs.

    Relishing a few more backyard bonfires before the snow starts to fly? Savor those end of season sunsets with an easy meat and cheese tray or this Mediterranean version of a seven layer dip.

    Or double down on apple season and pair your glass of sangria with one (or two) of these irresistible Cinnamon Apple Bars.

    Two balloon wine glasses filled with Apple Cider Sangria. Glasses are garnished with fresh apple and pear slices and cinnamon sticks.

    More fall drinks

    • Apple cider and bourbon cocktail in lowball glass with fresh apple slices and thyme sprigs.
      Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail
    • Kahlua White Russian in lowball glass with ice.
      Kahlúa White Russian
    • Ginger pear martini in a martini glass with lemon garnish.
      Easy Pear Martini
    • square image of kahlua chocolate martini
      Kahlúa Chocolate Martini

    Looking for something different? Check the archive for all of our drink recipes, including the best drinks to make with liqueurs.

    
    
    Did you make this recipe? We'd love to hear your thoughts! 
    
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    Recipe

    Glass of apple cider sangria garnished with apple slices and a cinnamon stick.

    Apple Cider Sangria

    Garnish With Lemon
    This Apple Cider Sangria is like fall in a glass. All the comforting flavors of your favorite season in one easy, make-ahead cocktail. Great for Thanksgiving!
    4.77 from 21 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 4 hrs
    Additional Time 4 hrs
    Total Time 8 hrs 15 mins
    Course Batch Cocktails
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 drinks
    Calories 159 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Glass Pitcher
    • Citrus Juicer
    • Bar Spoon
    • Mini Measuring Beaker Set

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 (750ml) bottle dry white wine
    • 2 ½ cups apple cider
    • 1 cup ginger liqueur
    • 3 ounces fresh lemon juice
    • 1 apple, cored and sliced
    • 1 pear, cored and sliced
    • 2 cinnamon sticks
    • 8 ounces ginger ale

    Instructions
     

    • Combine all ingredients except ginger ale in a large pitcher. Stir well and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours.
      1 (750ml) bottle dry white wine, 2 ½ cups apple cider, 1 cup ginger liqueur, 3 ounces fresh lemon juice, 1 apple,, 1 pear,, 2 cinnamon sticks
    • When ready to serve, stir ginger ale into pitcher. Divide sangria equally among 8 ice-filled glasses. Garnish with additional pear slices, apple slices and cinnamon sticks, if desired.  

    Notes

    • The longer sangria sits, the better it gets. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to 12 hours before serving. 
    • Add the ginger ale just before serving to retain its effervescence. I like the Q Mixers brand because it's a bit spicier and less sweet than your average ginger ale. 
    • A $10-15 bottle of wine is perfect for sangria. No need to break the bank here. I usually opt for a dry sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio in this recipe. 
    • This sangria will last for a few days in the fridge. 

    VIDEO

    Nutrition

    Serving: 6ouncesCalories: 159kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 12mgPotassium: 207mgFiber: 2gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 22IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 29mgIron: 1mg

    Nutrition info not guaranteed to be accurate.

    Did you make this recipe?Tag us on Instagram or leave a comment!
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    About Anna

    Hi, I’m Anna, a former corporate communications nerd turned food fanatic. Turns out I like cooking for others A LOT more than explaining HR policies to them. C’mon over!

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