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Cozy Fall Spiked Apple Cider Sangria: Easy 10-Minute Recipe

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This Cozy Fall Spiked Apple Cider Sangria is a quick and easy 10-minute recipe that tastes like a fancy cabin lodge drink. It’s perfect for fall gatherings, Friendsgiving, or a quiet evening by the fire.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine, such as Pinot Noir or Merlot
  • 2 cups fresh apple cider (unfiltered, cloudy preferred)
  • 1/2 cup bourbon or whiskey (optional, e.g., Bulleit or Buffalo Trace)
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 3 cinnamon sticks (plus extra for garnish)
  • 4 whole star anise
  • 1 teaspoon whole cloves
  • 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
  • 1 large Honeycrisp or Fuji apple, thinly sliced (skin on)
  • 1 large orange, thinly sliced into half-moons
  • 1/2 cup fresh cranberries (optional)
  • 1 pear (Bosc or Bartlett), thinly sliced
  • Ice cubes (optional)
  • Sparkling water or ginger ale (for a fizzy version)
  • Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prep the fruit (5 minutes): Wash all fruit thoroughly. Slice the apple, pear, and orange into thin rounds or half-moons. Keep the peel on the apple and pear for color, but remove any seeds. Rinse cranberries and pick out any soft ones.
  2. Muddle the spices (2 minutes): In your serving pitcher, add the cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, and split vanilla bean. Lightly crush the cinnamon sticks with the back of a knife to release more flavor, but keep them intact.
  3. Combine the liquid base (2 minutes): Pour in the apple cider, maple syrup, and fresh lemon juice. Stir gently until the maple syrup dissolves. Taste and adjust sweetness or tang as desired.
  4. Add the fruit (2 minutes): Drop in all the sliced fruit and cranberries. Stir gently to coat the fruit in the spiced cider mixture. Let sit for about 5 minutes so the fruit starts soaking up the flavors.
  5. Pour in the alcohol (1 minute): Add the red wine and bourbon. Stir slowly to combine. Do not shake or stir too vigorously to avoid breaking up the fruit slices.
  6. Chill and steep (at least 1 hour, ideally 2-4 hours): Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for at least one hour. For best flavor, let it steep for 4 hours.
  7. Serve (2 minutes): Fill glasses with ice if desired, or serve straight up. Ladle or pour sangria into each glass, including some fruit slices and a cinnamon stick. Top with a splash of sparkling water for fizz. Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig.

Notes

For best flavor, let the sangria chill for at least 1 hour, ideally 2-4 hours. Use whole spices instead of ground to avoid a murky texture. If making ahead, add fruit 1-2 hours before serving to prevent mushiness. For a warm version, combine all ingredients except wine and bourbon in a slow cooker on low for 2-3 hours, then add alcohol before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider sangria, fall sangria, spiked apple cider, easy sangria recipe, Friendsgiving drink, fall cocktail

Find it online: https://tablemira.com/cozy-fall-spiked-apple-cider-sangria-easy-10-minute-recipe/