Fall sangria with Fireball whiskey is as perfect for Thanksgiving as it is for a quiet evening in front of a cozy fire.
This recipe is meant for people over 21 years old. Please drink responsibly.
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Table of Contents
Next time try the Cranberry Moscow Mule! It has enough holiday cheer to make Ebineezer Scrooge throw a party for the three Spirits of Christmas.
🗝️ Key takeaways
- This is super simple to make and full of fall flavors!
- Apple cider sangria is perfect for cozy fall weekends, Hallmark movies, and Thanksgiving.
- Guijillo chile is the secret ingredient that enhances the cinnamon-spice flavor.
This easy apple cider sangria recipe is the perfect fall cocktail because it is casual enough for football weekends (or a fall gathering of any kind) but fancy enough for Thanksgiving dinner - in fact it will take you from September all the way through the holiday season!!
🧾 Ingredients
Be careful -- this gentle adult beverage carries a big wallop! Make a lot - it disappears fast!
📖 Variations
This is delicious the way it is but there are some amazing variations, too.
- Use caramel vodka to make it a caramel apple sangria
- Substitute pears for apples
- Add cinnamon candies
- Add white cranberry juice and fresh cranberries
- Freeze sprigs of rosemary in ice - it makes it very pretty
- Add some star anise if you like the flavor
- Pomegranate seeds are pretty in this
🔪 Instructions
- Add your favorite white wine, the rum, and the Fireball to a large container or pitcher.
- Slice the apples - no need to peel.
- Wrap the spices and pepper (if using) in a square of cheesecloth and tie into a package.
- Drop the spice bundle down into the wine mixture. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove spices and add ginger beer before serving.
🎥 Video
🥫 How to store leftover sangria
Strain leftover sangria to remove fruit and any remaining spices and store it, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for 4 or 5 days.
💭 Tips
Expert Tip: Be sure to let this fall sangria sit overnight in the refrigerator for the best flavor. This allows the flavors to "ripen" and the alcohol loses any harshness it might have had.
- Use frozen cranberries instead of ice to keep it cold without diluting it.
- Garnish with an apple slice or two to add color and flavor.
- If you're having a party I'd suggest making this a day or so beforehand so you can taste it and decide if you need to adjust it. If you taste it when you first make it you'll think you have too much booze in it. Trust me, it mellows out a lot!
- If you have some left, and that's a BIG if, it will keep quite awhile in the fridge... I think... I've never had any last very long, come to think of it. The stuff always disappears long before it's gone bad.
- This would make an awesome wine sorbet!
- You can use apple juice in place of cider if you like.
👩🍳 FAQs
Here are the questions I am most frequently asked about this recipe.
Honeycrisp are my favorite but any tangy, flavorful apple will do - try Granny Smith, MacIntosh, or Jazz.
First of all, you want the flavors to blend at least overnight before serving. After your fabulous fall get-together you can sip on the leftovers for up to four days as long as you keep your sangria tightly covered in the refrigerator. I'd also remove the fruit before storing the leftovers.
Crisp wines are usually best since sugar and fruit are added. I used Pinot Grigio but other possibilities include Riesling and even a Chardonnay.
📚 Related recipes
I love a good cocktail! Here are some of my favorites!
- Tropical Pineapple Sangria has flavors of pineapple, coconut, and juicy orange. You'll bring a splash of sparkly sunshine to any party!
- Classic Red Sangria has lots of ripe fruit flavor and a subtle kick. This refreshing drink is perfect for casual summer parties.
- Chocolate Peppermint Martini is a hedonistic cocktail that finishes with a cool, minty sensation reminiscent of an after-dinner mint.
- Spiked Mexican Hot Chocolate is the adult version of your favorite childhood apres sledding traditions. Milk and cream are scalded, infused with guijillo chile and Mexican chocolate, spiked with coconut vodka and rum, then frothed until a foamy layer appears on the top.
🥄 Equipment
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You'll need the following items to make this apple cider sangria recipe successfully.
- cheesecloth
- covered container or large pitcher
📞 The last word
Crisp apple sangria is perfect for one of those unusually warm late September afternoons when everything is golden. A friend, a porch swing, and a pitcher of this fall cocktail is absolute perfection!
It's perfect for any fall celebration from the first day of school to Halloween and Thanksgiving!
I love this fall cocktail paired with a cozy quilt and some Hallmark channel movies!
This German apple pie is a great way to use any extra fruit and it's one of our favorite apple recipes!
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please give it a 5 star rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Apple Cider Sangria
Print Pin Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- 1500 ml Pinot Grigio, 2 bottles
- 3 cups apple cider
- 1 cup spiced rum
- ¼ cup Hot Damn! Cinnamon Schnapps, or Fireball Whiskey
- 4 Honey Crisp or Granny Smith apples, , cored and sliced but not peeled
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 2 teaspoons whole cloves
- 1 Guijillo Chile
- 1 liter Ginger Ale, I prefer a spicy ginger beer
Instructions
- Tie the cloves and cinnamon in a cheesecloth bag - this will save you having to strain the sangria before serving.
- Add all ingredients (including the cheese cloth) except the ginger ale to a pitcher
- Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight.
- Remove the cheesecloth bag (or strain the sangria) and the chile.
- Add the ginger ale just before serving.
- Serve garnished with the apple slices.
Notes
- Be sure to let the sangria sit overnight in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to "ripen" and the alcohol loses any harshness it might have had.
- Use frozen cranberries instead of ice to keep it cold without diluting it.
- If you're having a party I'd suggest making this a day or so beforehand so you can taste it and decide if you need to adjust it. If you taste it when you first make it you'll think you have too much booze in it. Trust me, it mellows out a lot!
- If you have some left, and that's a BIG if, it will keep quite awhile in the fridge... I think... I've never had any last very long, come to think of it. The stuff always disappears long before it's gone bad.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
First published November 2014. Last updated August 28, 2023 for editorial improvements.
GiGi Eats says
Sangria can truly morph into an ANY SEASON drink!! 🙂
Sherri@The Well Floured Kitchen says
Great flavors! Love the idea of a fall Sangria!