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Easy Homemade Apple Cider Sangria

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This Easy Homemade Apple Cider Sangria is a crisp, warm, and surprisingly sophisticated fall drink that converts even sangria skeptics. Made with dry white wine, unfiltered apple cider, and warm spices, it’s perfect for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, or cozy dinner parties.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 bottle (750 ml) dry white wine (Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
  • 2 cups (480 ml) unfiltered apple cider
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) apple brandy or Calvados (optional)
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) maple syrup or honey
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 large Honeycrisp or Fuji apple, cored and thinly sliced
  • 1 firm Bosc pear, cored and thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries (optional)
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 3 whole star anise pods
  • 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 2 cups (480 ml) sparkling water, ginger beer, or ginger ale (for serving)
  • Ice cubes (optional)
  • Fresh rosemary sprigs or additional cinnamon sticks for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prep the fruit (5 minutes). Core and thinly slice the apple and pear. Leave the skin on. If using cranberries, rinse them. Set aside.
  2. Combine the base (5 minutes). In a large pitcher, pour the white wine, apple cider, apple brandy (if using), maple syrup, and lemon juice. Whisk gently until the maple syrup dissolves completely.
  3. Add the fruit and spices (2 minutes). Drop in the sliced apple, pear, cranberries, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and ginger slices. Stir gently with a wooden spoon.
  4. Chill and infuse (minimum 4 hours, ideally overnight). Cover the pitcher and refrigerate. The longer it sits, the more the flavors meld.
  5. Add the fizz (right before serving). About 10 minutes before serving, pour in the sparkling water or ginger beer. Stir gently. Taste and adjust sweetness with more maple syrup if needed.
  6. Serve and garnish (2 minutes). Fill glasses with ice (if using) or pour directly into chilled glasses. Use a slotted spoon to add fruit to each glass. Garnish with a rosemary sprig or cinnamon stick. Serve immediately.

Notes

For best flavor, let the sangria infuse overnight. Remove ginger slices after 6 hours to prevent bitterness. Add sparkling water just before serving to retain fizz. If you prefer crunchier fruit, add fresh slices when serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider sangria, fall sangria, easy sangria recipe, white wine sangria, apple cider drink, Thanksgiving cocktail, Friendsgiving drink

Find it online: https://siennaspoon.com/easy-homemade-apple-cider-sangria-recipe/