Apple cider sangria is a tangy, white sangria with plenty of warm fall spices! Spicy ginger beer adds just the right amount of sweet sparkle. It's perfect for autumn parties, holiday gatherings, or sipping in front of a crackling fire.
This recipe is meant for people over 21 years old. Please drink responsibly.
Ingredients
Be careful -- this gentle adult beverage carries a big wallop! Make a lot — it disappears fast!
- Pinot Grigio or Riesling depending on how sweet you like it. Riesling will make it quite sweet.
- Apple cider adds the most flavor so be sure to get a good one.
- Spiced rum works with the cinnamon and cloves in this recipe, adding that warm fall flavor.
- Cinnamon Schnapps or Fireball intensifies the spicy cinnamon flavor.
- Honeycrisp apples are my favorite for this but Granny Smith, McIntosh, and other tangy apples all work well.
- Cinnamon sticks give the sangria flavor without making it cloudy.
- Whole cloves add that apple pie flavor.
- Guijillo Chile gives the sangria a little heat - but it's completely optional.
- Ginger Ale or Ginger Beer adds flavor, sweetness and sparkle. I prefer a spicy Jamaican ginger beer myself. If you prefer it not be so sweet use club soda.
White Sangria FAQs
Recipe rated: very easy
Here are the most commonly asked questions about this recipe. If you don't find the answer to yours here leave a comment below or email me - I'll get back to you as soon as I can!
What kind of apples are used in sangria?
Honeycrisp are my favorite but any tangy, flavorful apple will do - try Granny Smith, MacIntosh, or Jazz.
Find more information about the different flavors of apple varieties in this article from the University of Illinois
How do you make sangria with white wine?
It's basically the same method that you use with red wine. Add your desired fruit and spirits then let it stand overnight in the refrigerator for the full flavor to develop. Be careful about adding berries and stone fruits - they tend to disintegrate and make the sangria look cloudy.
What kind of white wine is good for sangria?
Crisp wines are usually best since sugar and fruit are added. I used Pinot Grigio but other possibilities include Riesling and even a Chardonnay.
How do you make a good white wine sangria?
Choose your fruit carefully.
- Apples and pears are good choices.
- You can use pineapple or berries if you add the fruit in just before serving.
- Then choose your spirits to go with the flavor of your sangria - peach schnapps, pineapple vodka, or a caramel vodka.
- Give it time to mellow - overnight is best.
- Finally, add some sparkle with club soda, ginger ale, or lemon lime soda just before serving and serve cold.
Cook's Notes for Apple Cider Sangria
Not a lot of notes, really. This is a fairly straightforward recipe that you'll
Tips
- 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.
- This would make an awesome wine sorbet!
Flavor 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 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
You May Need
The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
What’s new? A brand new store full of things to help you make the recipes, celebrate the days, and create the memories! Check out Restless Chipotle & Co. As always, thanks so much for being a part of Restless Chipotle!
I love a pretty sangria set to serve sangria with!
More Great Cocktails from Restless Chipotle
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.
- Cranberry Moscow Mule has enough holiday cheer to make Ebineezer Scrooge throw a party for the three Spirits of Christmas.
- 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.
Apple Cider Sangria Recipe
This 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 is perfection!
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. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Apple Cider Sangria
Ingredients
- 1500 ml Pinot Grigio, 2 bottles
- 3 cups apple cider
- 1 cup spiced rum
- 1/4 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.
Flavor Variations
This is delicious the way it is but there are some amazing variations, too.- Add 1/4 cup caramel vodka to make it a caramel apple sangria
- Substitute pears for apples
- Add cinnamon candies
- Add white cranberry juice and 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
GiGi Eats
Sangria can truly morph into an ANY SEASON drink!! 🙂
[email protected] Well Floured Kitchen
Great flavors! Love the idea of a fall Sangria!