Apple Cider Sangria
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This Apple Cider Sangria is the perfect festive fall beverage. Just mix prosecco, sparkling apple cider and brandy with apples and cinnamon!
Serve this tart and sweet apple cider sangria recipe at Thanksgiving
I love to plan holiday and party menus right down to the drinks that will be served with the meal or appetizers. Usually I have wine with Thanksgiving dinner, but I think it’s fun to serve a fall cocktail during happy hour.
This apple cider sangria is the perfect Thanksgiving cocktail because it is sweet, tart and comforting with the hint of cinnamon. It is made with just a few simple ingredients starting with brandy, Prosecco and sparkling apple cider.
Looking more Thanksgiving recipes? Check out this simple Thanksgiving dinner menu!
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.
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.
What kitchen tools will I need to make this simple fall sparkling apple cider cocktail?
- Large pitcher or mixing bowl
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Mixing spoon
- Liquid measuring cup
- Cocktail glasses for serving
- Optional – Large silicone ice molds to make decorative ice cubes
What ingredients will I need to make this Apple Cider Sangria?
You will be amazed at how easy it is to make this festive holiday sangria with just a few simple ingredients!
- Prosecco
- Sparkling apple cider
- Brandy
- Apple
- Cinnamon sticks
Make it a mocktail!
Leave out the Prosecco and turn this apple cider sangria 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.
Ingredient Substitutions
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.
In addition to fresh apples, you can also add fresh chopped pears to this super easy apple sangria recipe.
Let’s make an Apple Cider Sangria!
To begin, wash and cube the apple. Then, place the apple cubes in a pitcher or large serving bowl with brandy and cinnamon sticks.
Stir gently to combine. Then, just before serving, add the bottle of Prosecco and bottle of sparkling apple cider to the pitcher.
Finally, serve with over ice with an extra cinnamon stick if desired and add some of the apples to each served glass.
Add fun garnishes!
Make this apple cider even more fun with festive garnishes. When you are ready to serve your sangria, put out small dishes of garnishes and allow your guests yo choose their favorites!
Some festive garnish options are:
- Whole fresh cranberries
- Pomegranate seeds
- Dried cinnamon apple slices
- Cinnamon sticks
- Candied ginger slices
Can I prepare this fall sangria ahead of time?
You can, but 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.
What should I serve with a sparkling apple cider cocktail?
- Fall Charcuterie Board
- Chicken Apple Sausage Sheet Pan Supper
- Fall Harvest Salad
- Pork Chop Sheet Pan Supper
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!
Apple Cider Sangria
A festive fall sangria made with sparkling apple cider
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
Jackie says
This was a HUGE hit with my family at Thanksgiving!! Good think I brought enough for two batches!
★★★★★
Madeline says
amazing!! Thank you!!
Stephanie says
I love this drink! Even my mom, who doesn’t really drink any alcohol, loved it. I’ve made it a few times now, the first for a fun Thanksgiving drink, and then just because :). I used bourbon because I forgot to get the brandy, and it was delicious with that as well. The second time I made it I used actual apple cider because I was out of the Martinelli, and that too was delicious, though not as fizzy. ALSO, I had a batch with the cider/apples/cinnamon sticks/bourbon just sitting in the fridge for like a week and then I would take it out and top off a glass with prosecco and that was great. Bottom line – this is a delicious and rather versatile fall recipe! Thank you!
★★★★★
Madeline says
wow!! I am so glad!! and sounds SO good with bourbon I gotta try that!
Samantha Belanger says
This was my contribution to my family’s Thanksgiving and it was a huge hit!! I followed the recipe exactly and it was so good. I’ll be making this every year now! Thank you!
★★★★★
Amy says
I made a double batch of this for Thanksgiving and it was a huge hit! I made one change: I did one bottle of sparkling cider and one liter sized bottle of ginger beer to two bottles of Prosecco. Marinated the fruit in the brandy ahead of time. It was so good!!! Oh
★★★★★
Madeline says
Great subs! That sounds delicious. Glad it was a hit!
Dawn says
This was so good! My friends and I loved it!
★★★★★
Liz says
Made this for a Friendsgiving and everyone loved it, making it again for a cocktail party this weekend. Store was out of sparkling apple cider, only had sparkling apple-cranberry and I won’t turn back! Thanks for the delicious recipe.
★★★★★
Madeline says
omg yum that sounds so good too! thanks Liz!
Maura says
Delicious. This will be on repeat this fall!
★★★★★
Kayla says
Would you make any changes to make this a mocktail? Having a Friendsgiving with a friend who is pregnant and I want to make something she can enjoy
Madeline says
You can double the amount of sparkling apple cider, omit the alcohol and add a splash of vanilla extract!
Sarah B says
I just made this to test it out before Thanksgiving and I’m glad because now I know that I’ll need to get enough to make several batches. It is soooo good and so simple to prepare! We’ll be drinking it through the fall.
★★★★★
Madeline says
That is awesome, Sarah! Glad to hear you like it so much. Enjoy!