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Cozy Salted Caramel Apple Cider Sangria: Easy Fall Drink Recipe

Salted Caramel Apple Cider Sangria - featured image
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A cozy salted caramel apple cider sangria that recreates a beloved drink from a now-closed cider house in Asheville. This easy fall cocktail combines crisp white wine, apple cider, caramel, and warm spices for a comforting, crowd-pleasing beverage.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 bottle (750 ml) dry white wine (Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc)
  • 2 cups apple cider (unfiltered preferred)
  • 1/2 cup caramel sauce
  • 1/4 cup apple brandy or bourbon
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cinnamon sticks, broken in half
  • 4 whole cloves
  • 2 star anise pods (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 2 apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji), thinly sliced or cubed
  • 1 pear (Bosc or Bartlett), thinly sliced or cubed
  • 1 orange, sliced into rounds then quartered
  • 1/4 cup caramel sauce (for rim)
  • 1/4 cup coarse sea salt (flaky, for rim)
  • Extra cinnamon sticks (for garnish)
  • Fresh apple slices (for garnish)
  • Flaky sea salt (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prep the fruit: Wash apples, pear, and orange. Core apples and pear, slice into thin rounds or small cubes. Slice orange into rounds, then quarter each round. Place all fruit in a large pitcher.
  2. Mix the liquid base: In a separate bowl or directly in the pitcher, combine white wine, apple cider, caramel sauce, apple brandy or bourbon, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Whisk or stir until caramel is fully dissolved.
  3. Add the spices: Drop in cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, star anise (if using), and grated nutmeg. Stir gently to distribute.
  4. Chill and meld: Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably 4-6 hours or overnight.
  5. Prepare the salted caramel rim (just before serving): Pour caramel sauce into a small bowl. Spread flaky sea salt on a plate. Dip rim of each glass into caramel, then immediately into salt. Let set for a minute.
  6. Strain and serve: If desired, strain sangria through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean pitcher to remove spices. Fill each prepared glass with ice (optional), then pour sangria over ice. Use a slotted spoon to add some fruit to each glass.
  7. Garnish and enjoy: Top each glass with a fresh cinnamon stick, a thin apple slice, and a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt.

Notes

For best flavor, chill at least 4 hours or overnight. Use good-quality caramel sauce to avoid artificial aftertaste. Don’t skip the flaky sea salt garnish—it balances the sweetness. If too sweet, add more lemon juice; if too tart, add more caramel.

Nutrition

Keywords: salted caramel, apple cider, sangria, fall drink, cocktail, white wine, easy recipe

Find it online: https://siennaspoon.com/cozy-salted-caramel-apple-cider-sangria-easy-fall-drink-recipe/