I’m making this apple cider sangria for every party this fall! Made with white wine, fresh apples, and warm spices, it’s fruity, festive, and serves a crowd.
This apple cider sangria recipe is my new favorite cocktail for fall entertaining! It’s my family’s favorite too—they liked it so much the first time I served it that I made it again for another family gathering the next weekend. It’s been a staple at our fall get-togethers ever since. Sweetened with apple cider, packed with fresh apples, and warmly spiced with cinnamon and star anise, it’s full of festive fall flavor.
If you’re looking for a fun cocktail to serve at Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, or any celebration this season, I can’t recommend this apple cider sangria enough. It’s easy to make with 7 simple ingredients, you can prep it ahead, and it serves a crowd. Add in the fact that it’s fruity, refreshing, and delicious, and I don’t think there’s much more you could look for in a fall cocktail. I hope you love this apple cider sangria as much as we do!
Apple Cider Sangria Ingredients
First, a little background: Sangria is a Spanish wine punch that’s typically made with red wine and infused with fruit. This twist isn’t traditional, but I’m still calling it a sangria because it has a few key similarities to the classic:
- It has a wine base. I use white instead of red.
- It chills overnight. This allows the fresh fruit and spices to infuse the drink with flavor.
- It’s super fruity, thanks to chopped apples, apple cider, and orange liqueur.
Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
- Dry white wine – I call for pinot grigio specifically because its dry flavor and notes of green apple make it perfect for this recipe. If you prefer to use another white, sauvignon blanc would be my second pick.
- Apple cider – For sweetness and apple flavor. High-quality apple juice would work too.
- Orange liqueur – It adds fruity depth to the sangria and gives it a boozy kick.
- Ginger beer – For sweetness, fizz, and a nice gingery bite. Ginger ale would also work, though I prefer ginger beer’s spicier ginger flavor.
- Fresh apples – Any kind you like! I always make this recipe with a mix of green and red apples. The blend of colors makes it so pretty!
- Star anise and cinnamon sticks – They infuse the sangria with warm, spiced flavor.
- And ice – For serving! This drink is most refreshing chilled.
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
How to Make Apple Cider Sangria
This white wine apple cider sangria recipe has four simple steps:
- Make the sangria base. In a large pitcher, mix together the chopped apples, spices, wine, apple cider, and orange liqueur. Make sure to do this step a day ahead of time!
- Chill in the refrigerator overnight to allow the flavors to develop.
- Add the ginger beer. Pour it in just before serving so that it’s fizzy when you serve.
- Serve in glasses with ice. If you’re wondering—yes, you can eat the fruit! Don’t hesitate to add a few apple pieces to every glass.
Cheers, friends!
More Fall Cocktail Recipes
If you love this recipe, try one of these festive fall cocktails next:
Apple Cider Sangria
Serves 8
Sweet, fruity, and warmly spiced, this apple cider sangria recipe is the perfect fall cocktail! It serves a crowd, so it’s great for parties and gatherings like Thanksgiving. Make sure to mix together the fruit, spices, wine, and orange liqueur a day ahead so that they can infuse overnight.
- 3 apples, chopped
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 4 star anise
- 1 (750 mL bottle) pinot grigio, or other dry white wine
- 1½ cups apple cider or apple juice
- 2 ounces orange liqueur, such as Cointreau, Grand Marnier, or triple sec
- 3½ ounces ginger beer
- Ice
Prevent your screen from going dark
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In a large pitcher, place the apples, cinnamon sticks, and star anise. Add the pinot grigio, apple cider, and orange liqueur and stir to combine. Chill in the refrigerator overnight.
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Just before serving, add the ginger beer and gently stir.
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Serve in glasses with ice.
