Easy Apple Cider Sangria for Fall
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This apple cider sangria recipe blends crisp, fresh apple cider with dry white wine, brandy, and a splash of aromatic bitters. It’s bursting with apple flavor and the perfect sip for a fall party, Halloween night, Thanksgiving festivities, or just a chill evening in front of the fire.
Why make this apple cider sangria recipe? It’s the delightful twist from swapping out traditional mixers for ingredients that bring depth and personality – think apple brandy (or plain brandy if that’s what you have on hand), ginger ale, and a garnish of fresh apple and orange slices.
It’s an easy crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re entertaining guests or treating yourself, this apple cider sangria brings the best kinds of crisp and refreshing fall flavors to your glass.
Ingredients
- Dry white wine – Use a dry (not sweet) white wine like a Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc.
- Apple brandy – You can substitute regular brandy or a different apple liqueur if that’s what you have on hand.
- Apple cider – Fresh apple cider is the base of this sangria. Using apple juice will give you a very different drink with less apple flavor.
- Fresh Lemon – You need about half a lemon for this recipe.
- Aromatic bitters – These bitters will give the sangria a spicy fall note and keep the drink tart.
- Ginger ale – Besides a little ginger flavor, ginger all is adding sweetness to this drink.
- Apple slices and orange slices – For garnish in either the pitcher or the individual glasses. Or both!
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How to Make Apple Cider Sangria
Combine wine, brandy, cider, lemon juice, and bitters in a large pitcher.
Add apple slices and orange slices. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Easy Apple Cider Sangria Recipe
Ingredients
- 750 ml dry white wine, Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc
- ½ cup brandy
- 1 ½ cups apple cider
- 1 oz lemon juice, about ½ a lemon
- 5 dashes aromatic bitters
- 12 oz ginger ale
- Apple slices, for garnish
Instructions
- Combine wine, brandy, cider, lemon juice, and bitters in a large pitcher.750 ml dry white wine, ½ cup brandy, 1 ½ cups apple cider, 1 oz lemon juice, 5 dashes aromatic bitters
- Add apple slices and refrigerate until ready to serve.
To serve:
- Fill a glass with ice cubes.
- Add sangria to glass, filling ¾ full.
- Top with a splash of ginger ale.12 oz ginger ale
- Garnish with a slice of apple. Sip and enjoy!Apple slices
Recipe Tips
This sangria is not overly sweet. If you like it sweeter add 1/4 cup brown sugar syrup to the mixture and/or a second can of ginger ale.
If you can’t find apple cider, swap the cider for apple juice. You’ll want to double the amount of aromatic bitters if you go with this swap. Try to find a juice that’s less processed and closer to apple cider, like Simply Apple.
What to Serve with Apple Cider Sangria
How to Garnish this Sangria
I like to use a cinnamon sugar rim to garnish the individual sangria glasses. Combine a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon and one tablespoon of sugar in a shallow dish. Run a wedge of lemon over the rim of the glass. Run the rim gently through the cinnamon sugar mixture and set aside until ready to serve.
Red and green grapes also make for pretty garnish. Add them in with and/or in place of the apple and orange slices.
Looking for More Easy Apple Cocktails?
Apple cocktails are one of my favorite things to serve from the beginning of September through Thanksgiving! Try my spiced apple cocktail made with apple liqueur, or this caramel apple cocktail and apple cider margarita, both made with fresh apple cider.
More Drink Recipes by the Pitcher
Looking for more large-batch drink recipes? Try my White Wine Sangria, a pitcher of Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Citrus Punch, or a batch of non-alcoholic Apple Cider Punch.
We served these last night and our friends loved them!!
Yay! I’m so happy to hear that! 🙂