Fall brings cozy moments with friends and family. This sweet and fruity Spiced Apple Sangria adds a perfect touch to any autumn gathering or holiday party.
This easy recipe combines crisp white wine, fresh apple cider, and warm spices to create a delicious seasonal cocktail that serves 6-8 people.
The mix of apples, oranges, and cinnamon sticks gives this sangria a festive look. The fruit soaks up the wine and creates tasty bites to enjoy while sipping.
Adding brandy and a splash of maple syrup brings extra warmth and depth to this drink.
This make-ahead cocktail needs 4-6 hours in the fridge for the flavors to blend. The longer it chills, the better it tastes.
Just add a splash of club soda right before serving for some sparkle.
Spiced Apple Sangria Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- Large glass pitcher
- Long wooden spoon
- Sharp knife
- Cutting Board
- Wine glasses
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 2 bottles dry red wine 750ml each
- 2 cups apple cider
- 1/2 cup brandy
- 3 honey crisp apples cored and sliced
- 2 oranges sliced
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole star anise
- 6 whole cloves
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 cups club soda
Instructions
- Add wine, apple cider, and brandy to a large pitcher.
- Stir in honey until it dissolves completely.
- Add sliced apples, oranges, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and cloves to the pitcher.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours to let flavors blend.
- Just before serving, add club soda and stir gently.
- Pour through a strainer into wine glasses filled with ice.
- Garnish each glass with fresh apple slices and cinnamon sticks.
Notes
Must Have Ingredients
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Tasting Notes
This spiced apple sangria offers a bright and crisp first sip. The combination of fresh apples and white wine creates a light, refreshing base.
Sweet notes from the apple cider blend perfectly with warm cinnamon and star anise spices. The brandy adds depth without overpowering the drink’s fruity character.
Each glass delivers a pleasant mix of autumn flavors:
- Fresh apple brightness
- Warming cinnamon
- Sweet honey notes
- Light floral hints from the wine
- Subtle brandy warmth
The texture remains smooth and medium-bodied. Ice helps dilute the strength while keeping the drink cold and refreshing.
The finish brings gentle spice notes that linger briefly. This creates a balanced cocktail that’s not too sweet or too strong.
Perfect serving temperature: 45-50°F (7-10°C)
This sangria pairs well with:
- Cheese plates
- Light appetizers
- Fall desserts
- Roasted nuts
The drink maintains its taste profile for up to 24 hours when stored properly in the refrigerator.
Substitutes
The regular red wine in this recipe can be swapped with white wine for a lighter taste.
Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc work well as alternatives.
For a non-alcoholic version, replace the wine with grape juice or apple cider.
Mix equal parts of each juice to match the wine amount in the recipe.
The brandy can be replaced with bourbon or dark rum.
Apple juice makes a good non-alcoholic substitute for the brandy portion.
Fresh apples are best, but canned apple slices work too.
Make sure to drain the syrup before using canned apples.
Quick Substitution Guide:
- Red Wine → White Wine or Grape Juice
- Brandy → Bourbon, Dark Rum, or Apple Juice
- Fresh Apples → Canned Apple Slices
- Brown Sugar → Honey or Maple Syrup
- Club Soda → Ginger Ale or Sparkling Apple Cider
Want more spice? Add extra cinnamon sticks or include a pinch of nutmeg.
For less sweetness, cut the sugar amount in half or use stevia.