Autumn Apple Cider Sangria with Spice (Print Version)

Fall Sangria with Apple Cider: Your easy, vibrant autumn drink. This recipe blends crisp apples & warming spices, perfect for sharing on chilly evenings.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 0 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6-8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

# Ingredients:

→ Base Liquids

01 - 1 (750ml) bottle dry white wine (like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc)
02 - 4 cups (960ml) unfiltered apple cider
03 - 1/2 cup (120ml) brandy or apple brandy

→ Fresh Fruit & Aromatics

04 - 2 medium apples, cored and sliced (Honeycrisp or Gala work well)
05 - 1 large orange, sliced into rounds

→ Sweeteners & Spices

06 - 2-3 cinnamon sticks
07 - 1-2 star anise pods (optional)

→ Optional Garnishes

08 - Extra apple slices or orange wedges for serving
09 - Fresh cranberries (for holiday twist)

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get your fruit ready. Slice your apples into thin wedges or chunks; I like to leave the skin on for a rustic look and extra fiber. Then, cut your oranges into rounds or half-moons. Don't worry about perfection here; a little unevenness adds character, honestly. I usually do this right on the cutting board, sometimes making a bit of a mess, but that's just part of the fun, right?
02 - Now for the liquids! Pour your bottle of dry white wine into a large pitcher or punch bowl. Follow that with the apple cider and your splash of brandy. Give it a gentle swirl. You want to mix everything well, but don't go crazy. I usually take a deep sniff right here; the mix of wine and cider is just the start of something good. Make sure your pitcher is big enough, I've had a few overflow incidents, and cleaning up sticky sangria is not my favorite.
03 - Carefully add your sliced apples and oranges to the liquid. Then, drop in the cinnamon sticks and, if you're using it, the star anise. This is where the magic starts to happen! You'll see the colors begin to swirl, and the fruit just looks so inviting. I always try to arrange a few apple slices near the top – for aesthetics, you know? It just makes the Autumn Apple Cider Sangria look extra special.
04 - This is the hardest part for me – the waiting! Cover your pitcher and pop it into the fridge for at least 2-4 hours. Honestly, overnight is even better if you can swing it. The chilling time allows all those beautiful flavors to meld and infuse into the liquids. I’ve made the mistake of serving it too soon, and it just wasn't the same. Patience is a virtue here, my friend, trust me on this one.
05 - Once your Autumn Apple Cider Sangria has had its chill time, pull it out and give it a little stir. Pour a small taste for yourself. Is it sweet enough? Does it need more spice? This is your chance to tweak it. If your apples were super tart, you might want a tiny drizzle of maple syrup. I usually find it's perfect as is, but every batch of apples and cider is a little different, so don't be afraid to adjust.
06 - When you're ready to serve, ladle the Autumn Apple Cider Sangria into glasses, making sure each glass gets a generous amount of fruit. You can add a fresh apple slice or orange wedge to the rim for an extra touch. Don't add ice directly to the pitcher; it'll dilute your beautiful creation. Instead, serve over ice in individual glasses. The final result should look vibrant, smell wonderfully autumnal, and taste like a crisp fall day in a glass!

# Notes:

01 - Let it chill! The flavors need time to meld, trust me, it’s worth the wait for this Autumn Apple Cider Sangria.
02 - This Autumn Apple Cider Sangria stores well for 2-3 days in the fridge; remove cinnamon sticks after 24 hours.
03 - If you don't have brandy, spiced rum works surprisingly well, I've tried it and it's kinda good.
04 - Serve this Autumn Apple Cider Sangria with extra fresh apple slices or a sprig of rosemary for a pretty touch.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large pitcher or punch bowl
02 - cutting board
03 - knife

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 220 Calories
Total Fat: 0g
Total Carbohydrate: 35g
Protein: 0g

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