Apple Cider Sangria

This Apple Cider Sangria Recipe is crisp, cozy, and tastes like fall in a glass. Made with fresh apples, orange slices, warming spices, white wine, and a splash of brandy, it’s the perfect balance of sweet, spiced, and refreshing. Even better, it comes together in just ten minutes and can easily be made ahead, making it ideal for parties and gatherings. This is hands down the BEST fall sangria recipe!

Why You’ll Love This Apple Cider Sangria

• Easy to make – Just slice the fruit, pour everything into a pitcher, and let it chill. No complicated steps or bartending skills required!
• Make-ahead friendly – This sangria actually tastes better after sitting for a couple of hours. So, it’s perfect for prepping ahead of parties, girls’ nights, or family gatherings.
• Tastes like fall – With apple cider, white wine, brandy, and warming spices, every sip is crisp, spiced, and so refreshing.
• Perfect for entertaining – This recipe makes enough for a crowd, and topping each glass with sparkling water adds a fun, festive fizz that guests love.

RELATED: Fizzy Pomegranate Cocktail

Ingredients

This apple cider sangria is a great way to take advantage of fall produce! Just nine ingredients are all you need to make a restaurant-worthy drink. Here’s what to gather: 

• Apples – We use Honeycrisp apples because they’re crisp and sweet. However, you can substitute Gala, Fuji, or whatever you like best. 
• Orange – This adds a bright, citrusy taste that balances the warmth of the spices. 
• Spices – Whole cinnamon sticks and star anise infuse the drink with a warm, cozy taste. 
• Wine – We prefer dry white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, but feel free to use your favorite! 
• Apple Cider – Forms the base of the drink, bringing natural sweetness and enhancing the apple taste. 
• Brandy – This deepens the flavor and makes the sangria just a little stronger. 
• Orange Juice – Enhances the freshness and adds a little extra tang. We recommend pulp-free orange juice! 
• Sparkling Water – Poured on top just before serving, this adds a refreshing fizziness to the drink.

How to Make an Apple Cider Sangria Recipe

All you need to make this recipe is a large pitcher and glasses for serving. Here’s how to make a white wine apple cider sangria recipe in ten minutes or less: 

1. Add the fruit and spices – Place the apple slices, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and star anise in a large pitcher.
2. Pour in the liquids – Add the white wine, apple cider, brandy, and orange juice. Stir to combine.
3. Chill – Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to let the flavors blend.
4. Serve – Fill glasses about ¾ full with sangria, then add the sparkling water, and enjoy! 

Tips

• Don’t over-steep the spices – Cinnamon sticks and star anise add wonderful flavor, but leaving them in longer than 6 hours can make the sangria bitter. Make sure to remove them if prepping ahead! 
• Chill before serving – Letting the sangria rest in the fridge for at least 2 hours helps the fruit infuse and the flavors meld together for a stronger tasting, more cohesive drink.
  Top with sparkling water last – Always add the sparkling water right before serving to prevent it from going flat.  
• Slice the fruit thinly – Thin slices of apples and oranges release more flavor into the drink and make for a prettier presentation in the glass.

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Variations 

Red Wine Sangria – Swap the white wine for a bottle of dry red wine (like Merlot, Pinot Noir, or Cabernet) for a more traditional sangria with a bold, fruity flavor.

Festive Twist – Add fresh cranberries, pomegranate seeds, or pear slices for extra pops of flavor and an ultra festive appearance. 

Sweeter Sangria  – Stir in maple syrup, honey, or simple syrup if you’d like a sweeter drink.

Warm and Spiced – Add a pinch of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom for even more warmth. 

Mocktail Version – Skip the wine and brandy, and replace them with extra apple cider and orange juice or non-alcoholic wine and brandy options, if you can find them, for a refreshing, alcohol-free option.

How to Store

Store any leftover sangria in the refrigerator for up to 2–3 days, keeping the pitcher covered with a lid or plastic wrap to lock in freshness. Be sure to remove the cinnamon sticks and star anise after about 6 hours to prevent the flavors from turning bitter! 

The apples and oranges will soften as the sangria sits. So, for the best presentation, add fresh slices to each glass before serving. Also, always wait to top individual servings with sparkling water rather than adding it to the entire pitcher so the bubbles stay crisp and refreshing.

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