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Perfect Spiked Apple Cider Sangria: Easy Fall Cocktail

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This Perfect Spiked Apple Cider Sangria is a warm, inviting fall cocktail that comes together quickly with simple ingredients. It’s the perfect make-ahead crowd-pleaser for any autumn gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups apple cider (unfiltered)
  • 1 bottle (750ml) dry white wine (Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc)
  • 1/2 cup bourbon
  • 1/4 cup apple brandy (optional)
  • 2–3 tablespoons honey
  • 2 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji), sliced
  • 2 medium oranges (1 juiced, 1 sliced)
  • 3–4 cinnamon sticks
  • 2–3 star anise pods
  • 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced into thin coins
  • Club soda or ginger beer (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Wash and slice 2 apples into thin rounds or small cubes. Slice 1 orange into thin rounds. Juice the second orange into a small bowl. Remove any seeds from the fruit. Set aside a few apple slices for garnish if desired.
  2. Peel a 2-inch piece of fresh ginger using a vegetable peeler or the edge of a spoon. Slice it into thin coins — about 1/8 inch thick.
  3. In your pitcher, pour the entire bottle of dry white wine. Add 4 cups of apple cider, 1/2 cup bourbon, and 1/4 cup apple brandy if using. Stir gently with a wooden spoon to combine.
  4. Drizzle in 2 tablespoons of honey. Stir until it dissolves completely. Taste and add the third tablespoon if you want it sweeter.
  5. Add the sliced apples, orange slices, orange juice, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and ginger coins. Push everything down so it’s submerged in the liquid.
  6. Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but overnight is better.
  7. Fill glasses with ice cubes. Pour the sangria, making sure each glass gets some fruit and spices. Top each glass with a splash of club soda or ginger beer for fizz. Garnish with a fresh apple slice or cinnamon stick if desired.
  8. Stir the pitcher gently before each pour to redistribute the fruit and spices.

Notes

For best results, chill overnight to allow flavors to meld. Use firm apple varieties like Honeycrisp or Fuji to prevent mushiness. For a non-alcoholic version, skip the wine, bourbon, and brandy; use 4 cups apple cider, 2 cups sparkling apple juice, and 1 cup ginger ale. Make an ice ring using apple cider and apple slices to keep the sangria cold without watering it down. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; strain out fruit and spices after 2 days for longer storage.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider sangria, fall cocktail, spiced sangria, apple cider drink, easy sangria recipe, autumn cocktail, party drink, make-ahead cocktail

Find it online: https://daintydine.com/perfect-spiked-apple-cider-sangria-easy-fall-cocktail/