Family gatherings call for the easy button, and this Apple Cider Sangria is the perfect big batch cocktail for your next holiday get together! We take a super simple combination of apple cider, white wine, and bourbon, and garnish it with real cinnamon sticks and thinly sliced apples to make this pitcher friendly cocktail taste AND look like fall in a cup.
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We love to plan a good party over here at Fed & Fit! Taking a special occasion and carefully crafting a menu from start to finish that not only tastes delicious but also looks amazing is one of THE MOST satisfying accomplishments. It’s not just about the food, it’s also about coordinating an experience that’s equal parts relaxing, fun, and just filled with good company.
This Apple Cider Sangria is fail-proof, delightfully boozy, and so pretty that it doubles as part of your holiday table scene. This snazzy libation can be thrown together quickly, BUT it tastes best when the flavors of the alcohols and cider are allowed to marinate, and the apple slices and cinnamon sticks are given ample time to steep into the liquid.
If you’re looking for other party-worthy cocktails, we’ve got you. You can’t go wrong with these festive recipes: cranberry margarita, pomegranate margarita, apple cider margarita, and champagne and whiskey cocktail (lovingly referred to as the “harvest sparkle”).
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It tastes like fall – is there anything more cozy and comforting than fall flavors? I don’t think so! This sangria is loaded with flavors of apple and cinnamon, making for the most delicious fall cocktail.
- It’s beautiful – if you’re looking for a cocktail recipe that will add to your fall tablescape, this is it – this sangria is stunning!
- It serves a group – this pitcher cocktail is absolutely perfect for a party or gathering. Doubling the recipe is incredibly easy, and, if you run out and need to whip up some more during the party, it’ll take less than 5 minutes and very little effort.
Apple Cider Sangria Recipe Ingredients
Just five ingredients stand between you and the yummiest fall cocktail! Find ingredient notes (including substitutions and swaps) below.
- Apple cider – be sure to purchase apple cider for this rather than apple juice. Apple juice is much sweeter and may overpower the sangria.
- Apple and cinnamon sticks – though these may look like garnish (which we typically say is fine to leave off of a recipe, if you’d like), know that these two ingredients impart a lot of flavor into the sangria, so don’t skip them!
A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Recipe Variations and Modifications
- Make it alcohol-free – skip the bourbon and wine, and add unflavored sparkling water to the pitcher instead. If you go this route, let the cinnamon sticks and apples steep in the apple cider as the recipe suggests, and then add the sparkling water to the pitcher just before serving.
- Swap the bourbon – if you don’t have bourbon on hand, feel free to use Brandy or ginger beer instead.
- Add a sweetener – because of the apple cider, this sangria doesn’t *need* to be sweetened, but if you’d like, you can absolutely add honey to the pitcher to give it an extra bump of sweetness.
How to Make Apple Cider Sangria
Sangria is generally incredibly easy to make, and this recipe is no exception. Follow along below to see how it comes together!
Step 1: Pour all of your liquids into a large serving pitcher, and stir gently to combine.
Step 2: Add your apple slices and cinnamon sticks to the pitcher, then allow it to sit, refrigerated, for up to 4 hours (overnight preferred) to steep the apples and cinnamon for maximum flavor.
Step 3: Pour over ice into individual cups when ready to serve, and garnish with apple slices and cinnamon sticks if desired.
Recipe Tip
While you can absolutely make this sangria recipe 10 minutes before your gathering starts, we recommend making it at least 4 hours ahead of time so that the cinnamon sticks and apple slices can steep in the liquid, adding depth and flavor to the finished cocktail.
How to Serve
Serve your guests their apple cider sangria in a glass over ice, garnished with more apple slices and a cinnamon stick.
If you’re looking for party-worthy fare to serve alongside your sangria, consider these incredible fall-inspired recipes:
- Easy Candied Pecans
- Charcuterie Board
- Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates
- Creamy Whipped Feta Dip
- Spicy Roasted Cashews
- Cranberry Salsa
How to Store
When you make your sangria in the pitcher, you can absolutely store it for up to 24 hours uncovered in the fridge (making it ahead of time allows for the cinnamon sticks and apple slices to steep in the liquid). Sitting in the fridge uncovered for 24 hours won’t compromise the flavor or integrity of the cocktail.
If you’re saving leftover sangria, though, it’s best stored in an airtight container (a mason jar is perfect) in the fridge. If the apples are starting to get mushy or limp, scoop those out before storing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hard cider is an alcoholic beverage made from fermented apples. Apple cider is, essentially, just unrefined apple juice. Simply put: hard cider has alcohol and apple cider does not.
Apple cider is made of pressed, fresh apples. It’s unfiltered and doesn’t contain any added sugar. Because of this, it has a much shorter shelf life than apple juice; in fact, stored for too long, it’ll start to ferment into apple cider vinegar or hard apple cider.
Apple juice, on the other hand, is made from fresh apples that have been pressed, filtered, and sweetened. So, basically, the filtered, processed, and sweetened version of apple cider.
You can definitely make this sangria alcohol-free! To do this, simply swap the bourbon and wine for unflavored sparkling water. Be sure to wait to add the sparkling water to the pitcher of apple cider, apple slices, and cinnamon sticks until you’re ready to serve so that it doesn’t go flat.
If you tried this Apple Cider Sangria or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below!
Apple Cider Sangria
Ingredients
- 2 cups apple cider
- 1 bottle white wine, a dry pinot grigio works great here
- 1/2 cup bourbon
- 1 apple, thinly sliced through the core
- 3-4 whole cinnamon sticks
Instructions
- Pour all of your liquids into a large serving pitcher, and stir gently to combine.
- Add your apple slices and cinnamon sticks to the pitcher, then allow it to sit, refrigerated, for up to 4 hours (overnight preferred) to steep the apples and cinnamon for maximum flavor.
- Pour over ice into individual cups when ready to serve, and garnish with apple slices and cinnamon sticks if desired.
Recipe Notes
- Make it alcohol-free – skip the bourbon and wine, and add unflavored sparkling water to the pitcher instead. If you go this route, let the cinnamon sticks and apples steep in the apple cider as the recipe suggests, and then add the sparkling water to the pitcher just before serving.
- Swap the bourbon – if you don’t have bourbon on hand, feel free to use Brandy or ginger beer instead.
- Add a sweetener – because of the apple cider, this sangria doesn’t *need* to be sweetened, but if you’d like, you can absolutely add honey to the pitcher to give it an extra bump of sweetness.
Nutrition
This is always a Thanksgiving favorite in our house!!
Awesome!! We’re so glad!!
So yummy and easy to make!
Wahoo! Glad you love it, CP!
I used apple wine – because I had it – and Jack Daniels Cinnamon Fire in this – it was simply amazing. Everyone wanted more. 🙂
Sounds perfect! How many does this serve (not seeing that above)?
This will serve about 6 people!