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Cozy Spiked Apple Cider Sangria: Best Fall Drink

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This Cozy Spiked Apple Cider Sangria is a forgiving, flexible fall drink that tastes like autumn in a glass. It comes together in under 10 minutes with simple ingredients and is perfect for any fall gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (960 ml) apple cider
  • 1 bottle (750 ml) dry white wine (Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) bourbon or whiskey
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) maple syrup or honey (optional)
  • 2 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji), sliced
  • 1 large orange, sliced into rounds and halved
  • 1 cup (150 g) fresh cranberries
  • 3–4 cinnamon sticks
  • 3–4 star anise pods (optional)
  • Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish
  • Ice cubes (preferably large or cider ice cubes)
  • Sparkling water or ginger ale (optional, for fizz)

Instructions

  1. Prep the fruit: Wash and dry the apples, orange, and cranberries. Cut the apples into thin slices or small cubes. Slice the orange into rounds, then cut each round in half. Leave the cranberries whole.
  2. Combine the base ingredients: In a large pitcher, pour in the 4 cups of apple cider and the entire bottle of dry white wine. Stir gently. Taste and add a tablespoon of maple syrup or honey if too tart.
  3. Add the bourbon and sweetener: In a small measuring cup, mix together the 1 cup of bourbon and the 1/4 cup of maple syrup (if using) until dissolved. Pour into the pitcher.
  4. Layer in the fruit and spices: Add the apple slices, orange halves, cranberries, cinnamon sticks, and star anise pods. Gently press the fruit down so it is submerged.
  5. Chill and steep: Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, ideally 2-4 hours. For best flavor, steep up to 24 hours, but remove cinnamon sticks and star anise after 4-6 hours.
  6. Serve: Fill glasses or mason jars with ice. Give the pitcher a gentle stir, then pour the sangria over the ice, including some fruit in each glass. Top with a splash of sparkling water or ginger ale if desired. Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig and a cinnamon stick.

Notes

Do not skip the chilling step—it allows the flavors to meld. For a non-alcoholic version, replace wine and bourbon with chilled apple cinnamon tea or additional cider and sparkling water. Leftover sangria can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; strain out fruit after 24 hours if storing longer.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://lumalunch.com/cozy-spiked-apple-cider-sangria-best-fall-drink/