Here’s the perfect fall cocktail: apple cider sangria! This pleasant drink combines apple cider with red wine, orange and cinnamon.
When the air gets colder and you start donning chunky knit sweaters…you know what? You don’t have to stop drinking sangria! Yes, the classic red sangria and white sangria are usually reserved for the summer months. But there are creative twists to this Spanish drink so you can drink it all year round. try that Cider Sangria! It combines the warm flavors of autumn with dry red wine to give this drink a Spanish autumnal twist. You’ll be amazed at how cozy and refreshing this fall cocktail is.
Ingredients for cider sangria
This cider sangria isn’t a traditional Spanish recipe, but it incorporates elements of the classic way of making this drink. I lived at university in Spain and fell in love with the kitchen. And I firmly believe that the Spanish way matters: the American versions are way too cute!
Sangria is a traditional wine punch originating in Spain. The classic version is made with red wine and chopped fruit, and often with orange juice or brandy. The variations are endless: white sangria is also popular in Spain. But there are tons of other creative variations like dew sangria, watermelon sangria, and more. This cider sangria is in the second camp: a creative twist: but heavily inspired by the Spanish way of doing things. Here are the ingredients for Cider Sangria:
- Fruits: apple, pear, orange
- Sugar
- Cinammon
- Dry red wine
- Cider or Sparkling Cider
Which wine for cider sangria?
All you need to make this apple cider sangria is a bottle of dry red wine! Of course, any dry red will do! Some of the best varieties for this type of sangria are:
- Rioja Tempranillo
- Grenache (Grenache from Spain)
- Malbec
- Pinot Noir
How to make sangria… the Spanish way
The way we prepare all of our sangria recipes is a method inspired by our favorite Spanish chef, Jose Andres. Chef Andres is from Spain and has opened many successful restaurants here in the United States. The “Spanish” way to prepare this cider sangria is as follows:
- Macerate the fruit for 1 hour: Mix the sangria fruit with sugar and cinnamon, leave at room temperature and crush. This allows the fruit aromas to penetrate the wine even better.
- Add liquids: Add red wine.
- Serve with apple cider: To serve, top half the glass with the apple cider and the other half with the red wine mixture. Read on for more…
Serve with sparkling cider or cider
Here’s a non-Spanish version of this cider sangria: but it’s a delicious way to enhance the flavor of cider! Here’s what you need to know:
- Pour in half the apple cider and then half the red wine (or mix in a pitcher!). This makes a nice two-tone drink. Or, if you’re serving for a crowd, you can simply pair apple cider with red wine in a large pitcher.
- Sparkling cider adds lightness and bubbles. In Spain it is traditional to serve sangria with sparkling water: sparkling cider imitates fizzy water.
- Or use traditional cider! This brings a nice tart apple flavor.
Don’t forget to eat the fruit!
A fun part of this apple cider sangria is that you don’t have to waste the fruit! When you serve it, you can also provide skewers for your guests. Then you can eat the fruit pickled in wine from your drink with the skewers! It is a good “dessert” or a refreshment for the palate after a meal.
More sangria variants
In addition to this cider sangria, there are many types of sangria: one for every occasion and season! Here are some of our favourites:
This Apple Cider Sangria recipe is…
Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.
The description
Here’s the perfect fall cocktail: apple cider sangria! This pleasant drink combines apple cider with red wine, orange and cinnamon.
- 1 Apple
- 1 Pear
- 1/2 orange
- 2 tablespoons Sugar
- ½ teaspoon Cinammon
- 1 750 ml bottle of Rioja type dry red wine
- 1 750ml bottle of sparkling wine or cider
- Optional side dishes: cinnamon stick, sprig of rosemary, remaining orange slices
- Cut the apple, pear and orange into thin slices. Place in a medium bowl and stir in the sugar and cinnamon. Pour into a large pitcher. Let sit for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to combine.
- Pour in the red wine. Stir and refrigerate for 1 hour or up to 4 hours. (Do not exceed 4 hours or the texture of the fruit will begin to degrade.)
- To serve, fill a glass with ice. Fill half with apple cider or cider, then half with a red wine mixture (or you can pour them together in a pitcher). Garnish with a cinnamon stick, rosemary or orange slices. When you’re done with the sangria, you can snack on the sweet fruit.
- Category: drink
- Method: shakes
- Kitchen: cocktail
- Diet: vegan
Keywords: Cider Sangria
More fall drinks
Looking for cozier fall drinks? Try some of these favorites:
- Hot Apple Cider or Hot Apple Cider The best cozy drink! Infused with spices like cinnamon and cloves, you can make it in a slow cooker or on the stovetop.
- Cider Bourbon Cocktail Pair sweet cider with bourbon and lemon! It’s packed with flavor and easy to make, the perfect fall or winter drink.
- Apple Cider Mimosa The perfect cocktail for a winter or fall brunch! Pair cider with champagne for a celebratory treat.
- Mulled wine Both sweet and savory, it’s perfect for serving at parties. Make it in a slow cooker to keep it warm for hours.
