Cozy up with a glass of crisp Apple Cider Sangria this holiday season! Made with freshly sliced fruit, wine, your favorite bubbly mixer and a spiced apple cider, you will have a classy yet fun drink on the menu for all your holiday get-togethers. This refreshingly tangy & fall-flavored cocktail will have your friends and family buzzing with good spirits!
Reasons You’ll Love This
Fresh Fruit – This Apple Cider Sangria is loaded with fresh, seasonal fruit that not only adds a level of depth to the drink, but makes it look cute too!
Quick To Make – It only takes a few minutes to mix up a pitcher! For the best flavor let it chill for two hours, but in a pinch, you can serve as soon as you’d like.
Cutest Cocktail – Kick off Thanksgiving or Christmas with an adorable cocktail that will fit right in with your Instagram feed.
Comforting yet Refreshing – While this isn’t a warm drink, it has a comforting taste that also quenches your thirst!
Huge Holiday Hit! – Who doesn’t like apple cider or wine during the holidays? Everyone will LOVE this drink.
We could all use a drink during the holiday season. Whether it’s for celebrating being together with friends and family, or because the craziness of travel, work, and other wonderful things life can bring us, you deserve a drink! Specifically an Apple Cider Sangria!
Ingredient Info
- White Wine – A white wine is ideal, but you can also use a red wine for this recipe. Either way, pick a dry wine (not sweet) because it will balance out the sweetness from the apple cider. Some dry white wines include Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. A dry red wine would be something like a Pinot Noir.
- Apple Cider – You can use freshly made apple cider, or a store bought one is just as good. I know it goes without saying but I’m going to say it anyway. Do not use apple cider vinegar. That would be a very different drink!
- Club Soda – This, or sparkling water will add some bubbles that enhance this drink. You can use Sprite or 7-Up as well, but know it will make the drink much sweeter.
- Fruit – Fresh fruit is what makes Sangria special! I used apples, pears, pomegranate seeds & cranberries for this recipe but you can also add or subtract fruit to make it yours. Some nice additions would be blackberries, orange slices, figs or plums!
Step by Step Instructions
- Grab a large pitcher or drink dispenser. Add white wine, apple cider and stir. Add sliced pears, apples and pomegranate seeds. Throw in the cinnamon stick, star anise, and thyme sprigs. Stir, then taste. Add maple syrup if you’d like it sweeter.
- Place in the fridge for 2+ hours to let the flavors marinate. Pour in club soda right before serving and stir gently. Serve over glasses of ice with optional garnishes of cranberries and any extra sliced fruit.
Tips & Advice
Storage – You can store the leftover Sangria in the fridge for up to 3 days. Any longer than that and the fruit will break down and become mushy.
Make Ahead of Time – Again, this drink tastes best when you give it time to sit in the fridge. That being said, you can make this drink a day or even 2 days ahead of time and pour in the club soda right before you serve it.
Double or Triple it – This recipe can be very easily doubled or tripled, depending on how many thirsty guests you have!
Optional Chilling Time
There is an option to assemble this drink, and serve it right away, especially if you already chilled the wine, club soda, and apple cider in the fridge.
The only reason I recommend leaving it in the fridge for 2+ hours, or even overnight, is because the flavors of all the ingredients have time to marinate with each other. However, if this isn’t a deal breaker for you, there is no need to do it.
Equipment
For this Sangria recipe, you’ll just need a pitcher or drink dispenser and something to stir with!
FAQs
Absolutely! Adding the apple cider to the wine will only elevate the flavors of both. Neither beverage will affect the taste of each other in a negative way.
A traditional sangria often has a few shots of brandy in it. If this is something you want to incorporate into this recipe, you can add anywhere from a ¼-½ a cup of brandy to this Apple Cider Sangria.
Serves Well With
Here are some stunning holiday appetizers & dishes that would pair perfectly with a glass of Apple Cider Sangria!
- Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
- Candied Bacon Crackers
- Honey Garlic Chicken Wings
- Turkey Cheeseball
- Christmas Charcuterie Board
- Cute Christmas Appetizers
- Melting Pot Cheese Fondue
More Holiday Drink Recipes You’ll Love!
Apple Cider Sangria
Equipment
- large pitcher or drink dispenser
Ingredients
- 1 bottle white wine (dry)
- 2 cups apple cider
- 1 cup club soda
- 1 cup sliced apples
- 1 cup sliced pears
- 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
- 1 stick cinnamon
- 1 star anise
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- fresh cranberries (for garnish (optional))
Instructions
- Grab a large pitcher or drink dispenser. Add white wine, apple cider and stir. Add sliced pears, apples and pomegranate seeds. Throw in the cinnamon stick, star anise, and thyme sprigs. Stir, then taste. Add maple syrup if you’d like it sweeter.
- Place in the fridge for 2+ hours to let the flavors marinate. Pour in club soda right before serving and stir gently. Serve over glasses of ice with optional garnishes of cranberries and any extra sliced fruit.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
Meet Christi, Love From The Oven
I’m Christi I love sharing easy & delicious recipes that your family & friends will love. I’m a mom, baker, cookbook author and lover of sprinkles.
