Apple Cider Sangria

Fall cocktails don’t get much easier than this make-ahead Apple Cider Sangria recipe. Every sip is filled with the fresh flavors of fall like apple, cinnamon and ginger. 

If there was such a thing as autumn in a glass, it would be this Apple Cider Sangria. It’s filled with comforting fall flavors like fresh apple cider, spicy ginger liqueur, zesty cinnamon sticks and juicy pears. 

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 is sangria
• Ingredients
• Instructions
• FAQs
• Serving suggestions
• More fall drinks
• Recipe

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

You’ll find all the usual suspects in this sangria ingredient list: 

• White wine (I used a dry Sauvingnon Blanc)
• Apple cider
• Ginger liqueur (I used Domaine de Canton)
• Fresh lemon juice
• Apple
• Pear
• Cinnamon sticks
• Ginger ale (I highly recommend Q Tonic 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. 

1. Start by filling a large pitcher with the wine, cider, liqueur and lemon juice.
2. Add the chopped apple and pear and a few cinnamon sticks. Give it all a quick stir and pop it in the refrigerator.
3. Chill the sangria for at least 4 hours and up to 24. 
4. When you’re ready to serve, stir in the ginger ale and pour the sangria into ice-filled glasses. Garnish with additional pear and apple slices and cinnamon sticks, if desired. 

FAQs

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 Apple Crisp Bars.

More fall drinks

I'm a HUGE fan of anything ginger, so this 3-ingredient Whiskey Ginger cocktail checks all the boxes for me - tasty, easy and uber refreshing.

Love bourbon and apple cider together? A hint of fresh thyme gives these bourbon Apple Cider Drinks a unique and delicious twist.

It’s hard to say no to chocolate, especially when it’s mixed with coffee like in this Kahlúa Chocolate Martini.

Any vodka fans out there? It’s always the right time to celebrate the gorgeous ruby color of a Vodka Gimlet with cranberries.

These Grapefruit Moscow Mules are a tasty balance of sweet and tart - perfect for the ups and downs of fall weather.

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

This Apple Cider Sangria recipe is filled with comforting fall flavors - fresh apple cider, spicy ginger liqueur and aromatic cinnamon sticks. Fall drinks don’t get much easier than a pitcher of this make-ahead sangria!