This Apple Cider Sangria is the perfect festive fall beverage. Just mix prosecco, sparkling apple cider and brandy with apples and cinnamon!
Hands-off
Easy cleanup
You’ll Learn: How to prep ahead and still keep it bubly
Worth It: An easy, festive crowd-pleaser
Bonus: Mocktail version
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Fun batch cocktail – Usually I have wine with Thanksgiving dinner, but I think it’s fun to serve a fall cocktail during happy hour.
- Perfect fall flavor – In the summer, I love rosé sangria, but for the fall, I love this apple cider sangria. It’s the best flavor for a Thanksgiving cocktail because it is sweet, tart and comforting with the hint of cinnamon.
- Easy to make – Thanksgiving can be so hectic, so I love having a really simple drink recipe with minimal prep time to keep it easy.
What is a traditional sangria made of?
Traditional sangria is made from red wine and fruit. Occasionally, other ingredients, like juice or brandy, are mixed in. White sangria recipes have now become very popular as well.
Sangria originated in Spain. As its popularity has spread throughout the world, the ingredients have changed. Many types of sangria now exist including sangria made with white wine, rose or sparkling wine.
Serving Suggestions
This apple cider sangria is perfect for the holiday season. You can serve it at Thanksgiving or Christmas alongside some turkey tenderloin or roasted turkey breast. For sides, you could make brussels sprouts, green beans, or maple glazed carrots. I love to have a side of mashed potatoes too.
Looking more Thanksgiving recipes? Check out this simple Thanksgiving dinner menu!
Ingredients
- Prosecco – use your favorite sparkling wine to make this sangria
- Sparkling apple cider – I like the added bubbles from using sparkling cider, but you can also use three cups of apple cider that’s not sparkling. Make sure you use regular cider and not a hard cider
- Brandy – the brandy adds some sweetness that goes perfectly with the holiday flavors. You could even get apple brandy
- Apple – use your favorite apples for this recipe. I love honeycrisp apples and granny smith apples.
- Cinnamon sticks – I love the way the cinnamon sticks infuse the sangria. You can also add other spices like nutmeg or cloves
Ingredient Substitutions
Leave out the Prosecco and turn this apple cider sangria recipe into a mocktail! Use 2 cans of lemon lime soda, lemon lime club soda, or ginger beer in place of the prosecco to make this cocktail a mocktail.
If you are not a fan of bubbles, swap the Prosecco for a crisp white wine instead. Whenever I want a dry white wine I look for a sauvignon blanc or a pinot grigio.
If you can’t find apple cider, you can use apple juice, but it will change the flavor a bit. You can also add a bit of orange juice or lemon juice for some citrus.
For the alcohol, you could use bourbon whiskey instead of brandy if you prefer the taste, but it will be a much stronger drink and flavor. If you prefer a clear liquor, try this recipe with caramel vodka instead. An orange liqueur can also work in place of the brandy.
I love honey crisp apples but any kind will work. In addition to fresh apples, you can also add fresh chopped pears or oranges to this super easy apple sangria recipe.
How to Make
Step 1: Prep the Fruit
To begin, wash and cube the apple. Then, place the apple cubes in a large pitcher or large serving bowl with brandy and cinnamon sticks.
Step 2: Combine all ingredients
Stir gently to combine. Then, just before serving, add the bottle of Prosecco and bottle of sparkling apple cider (about three cups apple cider) to the pitcher.
Step 3: Garnish and Serve
Finally, serve with over ice with an extra cinnamon stick if desired and add some of the apples to each served glass.
Make this apple cider even more fun with festive garnishes. Some festive garnish options are whole fresh cranberries, pomegranate seeds, dried cinnamon apple slices, or candied ginger slices. You can even add a cinnamon sugar rim to your glass.
Make Ahead and Storage
Because of the bubbles in this drink, it does not have a long shelf life. The Prosecco and sparkling apple cider will lose its fizz as it sits in the fridge. For a fizzy sangria, I recommend making it just before your guests arrive or just before you want to drink it.
If you want to do some prep work, you can soak the cubed apples in cinnamon and brandy ahead of time. Then, just before your guests arrive you can pour in the fizzy items.
Check out These Fall Recipes to serve with your sangria
You can find the full recipe below. If you make this recipe, please rate and review it in the comments, or share it with me on Instagram!
You can find the full recipe below. If you make this recipe, please rate and review it in the comments, or share it with me on Instagram!
Email Recipe for Later
Recipe
Apple Cider Sangria
Ingredients
- 1 medium-large apple
- 2 cinnamon sticks + more for each glass
- 1/2 cup brandy
- 1 bottle of Prosecco 750 ml
- 1 bottle of sparkling apple cider 750 ml – I like Martinelli’s brand
Instructions
- Wash and cube the apple
- Place in a pitcher or large serving bowl with brandy and cinnamon sticks
- Stir gently to combine
- Just before serving add the bottle of Prosecco and bottle of sparkling apple cider to the pitcher
- Serve with over ice with an extra cinnamon stick
- Add some of the apples to each served glass
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
Leave a Reply