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    You are here: Home » Meal Type » Cocktails » Apple Cider Sangria (Thanksgiving Sangria)

    Apple Cider Sangria (Thanksgiving Sangria)

    November 17, 2022 By Danielle Esposti 8 Comments

    May contain affiliate links.See our Privacy Policy and disclosure.

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    Pinterest collage for an apple cider sangria Thanksgiving cocktail recipe.
    Pinterest collage for an apple cider fall sangria recipe.

    I’m not generally a fan of declaring anything “the best”, but I’m going to make an exception for this Apple Cider Sangria.  Sweet, tart, and subtly spiced with cinnamon, it’s an absolutely perfect fall sangria recipe. This super easy pitcher cocktail is perfect for Thanksgiving and tailgating or game day gatherings.  

    Three apples cider sangria cocktails with a pitcher of sangria in the background on a marble table.
    Jump to:
    • Apple Cider Sangria Ingredients – Where To Be Picky!
    • How to Make Apple Cider Sangria
    • My Best Tips for Perfect Thanksgiving Sangria
    • How Long Does Sangria Last?
    • How to Store Sangria?
    • How to Add a Cinnamon Sugar Rim
    • More Cocktails for Fall and Thanksgiving
    • Recipe

    This knock-your-socks-off Apple Cider Sangria recipe is for the lazy but festive readers. The readers who know they have to throw a party, but dread the prep work. The readers with discerning taste buds, but an even better Netflix queue that’s calling their name.

    Is that you? Then sangria is the large batch cocktail for you! We love sangria so much that we’ve got versions for every season – try this spiced red wine holiday sangria in December, or our sweeter peach sangria in the summer.

    This festive fall sangria is insanely easy to make, but huge on flavor. It’s the perfect offering for your Thanksgiving spread, plus you can make it a day in advance. No last-minute shaking or stirring here!

    Fresh apple cider, apple brandy, triple sec, dry white wine, a hint of cinnamon, and diced seasonal fruit come together to form a perfectly balanced, sweet and tart cocktail.

    Simply combine, chill overnight, and serve. No messing with cocktail shakers. No last-minute garnishes (okay, maybe a cinnamon-sugar rim and cinnastick make it fancy, but you don’t need those). Just an easy, fresh, and fabulous fall cocktail with just 10 minutes of investment. 

    For a condensed post with “just the facts” click to view the web story for this thanksgiving sangria recipe.

    An overhead view of three apple cider sangria cocktails on a marble table with diced apples, whole cranberries, and a cinnamon stick garnish.

    Apple Cider Sangria Ingredients – Where To Be Picky!

    • White Wine:  select a dry white wine like sauvignon blanc, albarino, or pinot grigio. Aim for a mid-priced ($10-$15) varietal with clean, crisp flavor. When I make this for really large batches, I use the Bota Box brand of sauvignon blanc. It’s a surprisingly good wine in a box, and has the perfect balance for most white sangria recipes.
    • Apple Brandy:  apple flavored brandy in place of regular brandy is the secret ingredient for making this cider sangria so special. Your local liquor store should carry it, and you don’t need to get fancy (there are some high-end brandy offerings out there, but they’re entirely unnecessary for this cocktail).
    • Triple Sec:  again, reach for a basic triple sec. That being said, if you’re purchasing a larger bottle and want to splurge to use it for other purposes, try Cointreau – it makes terrific margaritas.
    • Apple Cider:  make sure you’re purchasing unsweetened and (if you can find it) fresh-pressed and unfiltered apple cider for best flavor. Unsweetened is most important as this will be way too sweet if it’s not.
    • Simple Syrup vs. Sugar:  you can make this recipe with either simple syrup or sugar. To substitute sugar, add a quarter cup of white sugar to the fruit instead of the simple syrup, then gently muddle the fruit in the sugar. It will dissolve as it marinates with the remaining liquid ingredients.

    How to Make Apple Cider Sangria

    Sweet, tart, and subtly spiced with cinnamon, this apple cider sangria is, dare I say it, absolutely perfect. It’s an easy large batch recipe for a cocktail party with the added benefit that you have to make it in advance – and it’s better the longer it sits. Take an extra minute or two to serve this white sangria with a cinnamon sugar rim for an extra special touch. 

    Diced apples and fresh cranberries in a pitcher with a cinnamon stick and wood spoon.
    1. Combine fresh cranberries with diced apples and a cinnamon stick in a pitcher.
    2. Add simple syrup (or sugar) to the fruit and gently muddle with a wood spoon.
    3. Add the apple cider, apple brandy, trip sec, and white wine.
    4. Stir then chill for at least 4 hours (overnight is best).

    My Best Tips for Perfect Thanksgiving Sangria

    • Select a variety of colorful seasonal produce – sweet apples, sour apples, fresh cranberries, and pomegranate seeds are all terrific choices.
    • Give the sangria time to marinate for best flavor. This fall sangria is at it’s best at 24 hours, but if you’re short on time, allow it to chill for at least 4 hours.
    • Use decent-to-good dry white wine! It makes a huge difference in the flavor. If you’re unfamiliar with buying wine, any attendant at a local wine store should be able to point you in the right direction, so don’t be afraid to ask for help.
    • Serve with a cinnamon sugar rim for an extra special festive touch.

    How Long Does Sangria Last?

    Sangria should be made at least four hours in advance, and preferably 24 hours. White sangria will last in the fridge for about 3 days before the fruit starts to go off. You may get some particulates at the bottom from the cinnamon stick and muddled fruit, so be sure to give it a good stir before serving.

    How to Store Sangria?

    Sangria should be kept chilled. Store prepared sangria in a pitcher in the fridge. You can store covered or uncovered, using a piece of saran wrap.

    How to Add a Cinnamon Sugar Rim

    Combine a quarter cup white sugar with a teaspoon of cinnamon in a small bowl. Stir until throughly combined. Pour the cinnamon sugar onto a small plate. Rub a piece of lemon around the lip of glass, then dip the glass into the cinnamon sugar to create a rim. Add ice to the glass then fill with sangria.

    More Cocktails for Fall and Thanksgiving

    I’ve got ya covered with every kind of cocktail you need this holiday season! Check out these other seasonal favorites:

    • Cranberry Moscow Mule
    • Rosemary Vodka Gimlet
    • Classic Old Fashioned
    • Apple Cider Hot Toddy
    • Honey Rosemary Bourbon Cocktail
    Three apple cider sangria cocktails in rocks glasses with cinnamon sugar rims, apples, cranberries, and a cinnamon stick garnish on a marble table.

    Did you make this Apple Cider Sangria? I’d love to know how it turned out! Leave a comment and a rating below.

    While you’re at it, let’s be friends – follow me on Pinterest and Instagram for the latest and greatest.

    Recipe

    Side view, several glasses of apple cider sangria on a marble table garnished with cinnamon sticks.

    Apple Cider Sangria (Thanksgiving Sangria)

    5 from 11 votes
    Author: Danielle Esposti
    Print Recipe Rate this Recipe Pin Recipe
    Sweet, tart, and subtly spiced with cinnamon, this apple cider sangria is, dare I say it, absolutely perfect. It’s an easy large batch recipe for a cocktail party with the added benefit that you have to make it in advance – and it’s better the longer it sits. Take an extra minute or two to serve this white sangria with a cinnamon sugar rim for an extra special touch. 
    Prep Time: 10 mins
    Total Time: 10 mins
    Servings : 6
    Calories: 318

    Recommended Equipment

    • Large Pitcher
    • Wood Spoon

    Ingredients

    • 1 tart apple, like granny smith, cored and diced into 1″ pieces
    • 1 sweet apple, like honeycrisp, cored and diced into 1″ pieces
    • 1 cup fresh cranberries, or pomegranate seeds
    • 1 cinnamon stick, plus more for garnish
    • ½ c simple syrup, or ¼ cup white sugar
    • 1 c unsweetened apple cider
    • ½ c apple brandy
    • ½ c triple sec
    • 1 bottle dry white wine, like sauvignon blanc
    • ¼ c cinnamon sugar, for garnish

    Instructions

    • Place the diced apples, fresh cranberries, and cinnamon stick into a large pitcher. Add the simple syrup or sugar, and gently muddle with a wood spoon until the fruit is slightly bruised.
    • Add apple cider, apple brandy, triple sec, and wine to the pitcher. Stir to combine.
      Pouring apple cider and white wine into a pitcher with muddled apples and cranberries for sangria.
    • Place the pitcher into the fridge to chill and marinate for at least 4 hours, but 24 hours is best. 
      An overhead view and a side view of a pitcher of apple cider sangria ready to be be chilled.
    • To serve, fill a glass with ice, and pour sangria over ice. Garnish with a cinnamon stick if desired.
      Apple cider sangria served in a rocks glass with a cinnamons sugar rim and cinnamon stick garnish.

    Notes

    • Cinnamon Sugar Rim:  combine a quarter cup of white sugar with a teaspoon of cinnamon. Stir until throughly combined. Pour the cinnamon sugar onto a small plate. Rub a piece of lemon around the lip of glass, then dip the glass into the cinnamon sugar to create a rim. Fill the glass with ice, then top with sangria, garnish with a cinnamon stick, and serve. 
    • Make-Ahead and Storage:  this sangria is at peak flavor after chilling for 24 hours. Leftovers can be store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 318kcal (16%), Carbohydrates: 44g (15%), Protein: 0g, Fat: 0g, Saturated Fat: 0g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 9mg, Potassium: 97mg (3%), Fiber: 2g (8%), Sugar: 39g (43%), Vitamin A: 1% (1%), Vitamin C: 6% (6%), Calcium: 1% (1%), Iron: 1% (1%)
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @oursaltykitchen or tag #oursaltykitchen!
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    Disclaimer: This post and the recipe card may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission (at no cost to you!) if you make a purchase using these links. Rest assured, we only endorse products we own and truly love!

    8 Comments
    Filed Under: Cocktails, Fall Recipes, Holiday Recipes

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Alessandra Thomas

      November 28, 2019 at 8:15 pm

      5 stars
      This was delicious and enjoyed by all! I made a double batch and put it all in the apple cider jug.

      Reply

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