Spiced Apple Cider Sangria: My Fall Gathering Drink (Print Version)

Spiced Apple Cider Sangria recipe: Your perfect fall drink! Enjoy warm spices, crisp apples, and wine for easy autumn entertaining.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 0 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Base Liquids

01 - 4 cups fresh apple cider
02 - 1 (750ml) bottle dry white wine (like Pinot Grigio)
03 - 1/2 cup brandy or applejack

→ Fresh Fruit & Spices

04 - 2 Honeycrisp or Fuji apples, thinly sliced
05 - 1 orange, thinly sliced
06 - 3 cinnamon sticks
07 - 2 star anise pods

→ Sweetener & Finishing Touch

08 - 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (optional, to taste)
09 - 1 cup club soda or sparkling water, chilled (for serving)

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, grab your apples and oranges. I like to slice my apples into thin wedges or small chunks, making sure they're bite-sized. For the oranges, I go for thin rounds, peel and all, because it looks so pretty floating in the pitcher. This is where I sometimes get a little messy, with apple peels everywhere, but it’s part of the fun, right? You want them ready to soak up all those delicious flavors!
02 - In a large pitcher or punch bowl, pour in your apple cider, white wine, and brandy (or applejack if you're feeling fancy!). Give it a gentle swirl. Now, toss in your cinnamon sticks and star anise. This is the stage where the magic starts to happen; you can already smell the promise of fall. I used to just dump everything in, but gently combining ensures the flavors start to meld properly.
03 - Cover your pitcher and pop it into the fridge for at least 2-4 hours. Honestly, overnight is even better! This chilling time is super important because it allows the spices to really infuse the liquids and for all those flavors to get to know each other. I've tried to rush it before, and it just wasn't the same. Patience, my friend, patience!
04 - Once the sangria has had a good long chill, bring it out and add your sliced apples and oranges. Give it another gentle stir. The fruit will absorb some of the liquid, becoming juicy and flavorful, while also releasing its own fresh notes into the mix. I always get excited at this point, seeing all the colors come together.
05 - Now, taste your Spiced Apple Cider Sangria. Is it sweet enough for you? If not, drizzle in a little maple syrup, stirring until it's dissolved. Remember, you can always add more, but you can't take it out! I usually add just a touch because my cider is quite sweet already, but it’s all about your preference.
06 - When you're ready to serve, pour the sangria into individual glasses, making sure each glass gets a nice mix of the fruit and spices. Top each serving with a splash of club soda or sparkling water for that lovely fizz. It looks so inviting, and the aroma of the spices and apples just fills the air. Enjoy your homemade autumn delight!

# Notes:

01 - Always chill the liquid and spices for a good few hours *before* adding the fresh fruit; it lets the flavors develop better.
02 - Store any leftovers (without club soda) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
03 - Try a splash of ginger ale instead of club soda for an extra layer of spice and sweetness.
04 - For a beautiful presentation, rim your glasses with cinnamon sugar before pouring!

# Equipment Needed:

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

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 250
Total Fat: 0g
Total Carbohydrate: 30g
Protein: 0g

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