Tart and Refreshing Apple Cider Sangria

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Made with dry white wine, this crisp apple cider sangria has all the tastes of fall. It's perfect for your next gathering or just to have on hand in the fridge.

This sangria is your antidote to overly-sweet fall cocktails. Apple cider has a sweetness all its own, which is leveraged in this drink so we're skipping the added sugar from syrups. Play up the apple by swapping traditional brandy for apple brandy, or play up the ginger by swapping ginger beer for the ginger ale.

What You Need

Dry white wine (Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc)
Brandy or Apple brandy
Apple cider
Lemon juice (about ½ a lemon)
Aromatic bitters
Ginger ale
Apple slices and orange slices for garnish

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.

Apple slices falling into a pitcher of apple cider sangria

To serve

Fill a glass with ice.

Add sangria to glass, filling ¾ full.

Top with a splash of ginger ale.

Pouring ginger ale into a glass of sangria

Enjoy!

Tips for Apple Cider Sangria

How do I garnish apple cider sangria?

I like to use a cinnamon sugar rim. Combine ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon and 1 tablespoon sugar in a shallow dish. Dip the rim in water or run a wedge of lemon over the rim. Run the rim gently through the cinnamon sugar mixture and set aside until ready to serve.

Amp up the Apple!

Swap the brandy for apple brandy to increase the apple flavor.

What other fruit can I include?

Red and green grapes also make for pretty garnish. Add them in with and/or in place of the apple and orange slices.

This sangria is not overly sweet. If you like it sweet...

Add ¼ cup brown sugar syrup to the mixture and/or a second can of ginger ale.

Can I use bottled lemon juice?

Absolutely. You won't taste much of a difference in this drink.

What if I can't find apple cider?

If it's not apple season, 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 closer to apple cider, like Simply Apple.