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A red apple cider sangria with red wine, apple cider, brandy, apples, oranges, cranberries and cinnamon. The most delicious fall sangria recipe with warm Fall flavors.
This time of year with the leaves changing and the temperature starting to drop just puts me in the mood for an apple cider sangria. This easy Fall sangria recipe is made with a combination of red wine, apple cider and brandy. I like to make this sangria by the pitcher. A glass just doesn’t seem to be enough. It’s the perfect cocktail for a Fall gathering or Thanksgiving.
Looking for more Fall sangria recipes? Check out this apple cider sangria or this blood orange sangria.
Table of Contents
Fall Sangria Ingredients
- Red Wine- A chilled dry red wine works best like a Garnacha or Pino Noir.
- Apple Cider- Usually found in the produce section of the grocery store. I like to use refrigerated apple cider over a shelf stable cider. I don’t recommend using apple juice.
- Brandy- Adds a depth of flavor and infuses into the fruit. No need to buy an expensive brandy. An apple brandy is also a great option.
- Cinnamon Sticks- Not only just a beautiful garnish but it adds a great Fall flavor.
- Fresh Seasonal Fruits- Since this is a Fall sangria I like to add sliced apples, like a honey crisp, and a sliced orange. These add a great flavor and infuse with the alcohol.
- Frozen Cranberries- Freeze your cranberries. It’s a nice garnish and will help keep your sangria cold.
How to Make Fall Sangria
In a large pitcher add apples, oranges and frozen cranberries. Pour a bottle of red wine, apple cider and brandy into your pitcher and stir. Refrigerate for an hour or longer. The longer it sits the tastier it will be, within reason.
When ready to serve you can add ice to the pitcher. Don’t want to water it down then server over ice. Feeling fancy? Rim the glasses with caramel or cinnamon and sugar before pouring.
Want to stretch it a little further add club soda, ginger ale, sprite, ginger beer right before serving. It adds a nice fizz to this autumn sangria.
What Kind of Red Wine Should I use in Sangria?
A good wine to use is a dry red wine like a Garnacha or Pinot Noir. The dryness will balance out the sweetness. If you like a sweet sangria use a red wine blend.
You don’t need to buy an expense bottle of red since you are mixing it with juice and fruit. I will usually grab around a $10 bottle of wine. I grabbed this bottle at Trader Joes.
Substitutions and Variations
Want to change up the recipe a bit? These hard alcohols also work great in this sangria recipe. What alcohol should I mix with apple cider? Caramel vodka, fireball, whiskey, bourbon or spiced rum are great substitutes.
Don’t have apple cider or it’s out of season? Use a hard cider like Angry Orchard. Also sparkling cider, cranberry juice, pomegranate juice or orange juice works great too.
Fall Sangria
A Fall sangria recipe made with red wine, apple cider, brandy, cinnamon, apples, oranges and cranberries. An easy Fall cocktail that can be served by the pitcher.
Ingredients
- 1 750ml Bottle of Dry Red Wine
- 2 Cups of Apple Cider
- 1/2 Cup Brandy
- 2 Cinnamon Sticks
- 1 Apple Sliced or Chopped
- 1 Sliced Orange
- 1/2 Cup of Frozen Cranberries
Instructions
- In a large pitcher add cinnamon, apples, oranges and cranberries.
- Pour red wine, apple cider and brandy into your pitcher and stir.
- Refrigerate for an hour or longer and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Chilled red wine for sangria is best. Refrigerating sangria helps the fruit infuse with the wine and alcohol.
A dry red wine like Garnacha or Pinot Noir.
Yes, you can use vodka (caramel flavored works great), bourbon, whiskey (Fireball), or spiced rum.
