This slightly sweet and bubbly fall beverage is the perfect light cocktail to sip this season. In this Caramel Apple Cider Sangria you’ll get all the flavors of sangria you love, but with the addition of cinnamon and spiced apple cider.
Caramel Apple Cider Sangria
My calendar is slowly starting to fill with seasonal entertaining events, which I plan to fill with fall foods and drinks. This decadent caramel apple cider sangria is light and has a crispness to it. It’s the perfect cocktail to greet guests during those crisp fall evenings.
This simple sangria is easy to prepare and can just as easily be made in advance of when you plan to serve it. I would even argue it’s better the next day because all the fruit has had time to soak in the sangria.
Ingredients in Caramel Apple Cider Sangria
The ingredients in this caramel apple cider sangria are the same as a basic sangria with a few fall additions.
- White Wine: wine is the base of sangria and a key ingredient. The type of white wine is your preference but for this recipe, I used a Pinot Grigio.
- Apple Cider: Fresh apple cider is the best option and if you can get it from a farmers market even better. Usually, around fall grocery stores will stock fresh apple cider.
- Caramel Vodka: flavored vodkas can be found at a spirits store and often during the fall months they’ll stock flavors such as caramel. If you can’t find it or prefer to use unflavored vodka this is just as fine too.
- Apples: the type of apples you use for this fall-flavored sangria is also up to your preferences, however, opt for one of the crispier apples such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith, which are both used in this recipe.
- Orange Slices: the orange slices will slightly flavor the sangria as well as balance all the flavors with a very small amount of citrus flavor.
- Spices: Cinnamon Sticks and Star Anise. Both spices will be added after the sangria is made and removed before serving or used as a garnish.
- Ginger Ale: Add the ginger ale just before serving as a splash on top of the drink for a nice sparkling texture.
- Caramel Sauce (optional): Use the caramel sauce to coat the rim of the glass for an extra sweet treat.
How to Make Apple Cider Sangria
- Cut the Fruit: Cut up the apples and orange and place them at the bottom of a large pitcher.
- Assemble: Pour the white wine, apple cider, and vodka over the fresh fruit and stir all the ingredients well, for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Season: Top with the cinnamon sticks and star anise and stir again.
- Chill: Place in the fridge for 1 to 2 hours or up to 8 hours before serving. Before serving give the sangria another stir and top with the ginger ale.
Add the sliced fruit. Pour in all the liquids. Add the spices, stir, and chill.
Best Wines to Use for Apple Cider Sangria
I say this option is entirely up to you and your wine preference, however, there are some options that are better than others if you don’t have a preference. Dryer and more acidic wines such as a Pinot Grigio or Riesling work well. If you like sweeter sangria then a Moscato will also work.
Tips for Making the Best Apple Cider Sangria
- Wait to add the ginger ale until you’re ready to serve. Pour the sangria into a caramel-rimmed glass and then add a splash of ginger ale directly on top.
- If you can chill the apple cider sangria overnight then do! It’s better 6 to 8 hours after it’s been made.
- To rim, the glass with caramel pour a ring of caramel sauce onto a flat dish and dip the glass into it. For extra sweet flavor dip the glass into the coarse sugar crystals.
Can this be made into a mocktail?
Yes! To make this delicious fall beverage a mocktail leave the wine and vodka out. Increase the apple cider by 2 cups and add 2 cups of ginger ale.
Can apple cider sangria be made in advance?
Yes, and I recommend making it at least 6 to 8 hours in advance of when you plan to serve it. Letting the sangria sit in the refrigerator allows the fruit to soak up the other flavors as well as infuse it with additional flavor.
Can I use different alcohol?
Yes, you can! Since this is a fall cocktail consider swapping the vodka for bourbon or even spiced rum.
Consider trying these fall beverages next:
Ingredients
- 1 bottle White Wine
- 2½ cups Apple Cider
- 1/2 cup Caramel Vodka unflavored will work too
- 2 Honeycrisp Apples cored and sliced
- 1 Granny Smith Apple cored and sliced
- 1 Orange sliced
- 3 Cinnamon Sticks
- 1 tablespoon Whole Star Anise
- 1/2 cup Ginger Ale
Instructions
- Cut up the apples and orange and place them at the bottom of a large pitcher.
- Pour the white wine, apple cider, and vodka over the fresh fruit and stir all the ingredients well, for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Top with the cinnamon sticks and star anise and stir again. Place in the fridge for 1 to 2 hours or up to 8 hours before serving.
- Before serving give the sangria another stir and top with the ginger ale. Serve over ice.
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