Red Apple Fall Sangria

This fall apple sangria is perfect for seasonal parties. It has apple cider, red wine, apple whiskey, and cinnamon schnapps for a flavor combo that’s a crowd favorite! It’s an ideal drink for holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, too.

red sangria in punch bowl with apple and orange slices, and copper cups on the side.

If you’re looking for an autumn cocktail to feed a crowd, look no further than this festive fall sangria. It’s the perfect pitcher drink to take you from tailgating to Christmas, and everything in between.

Why You’ll Love It

You can mix it up the night or morning before you need it, so it’s ready to serve when you are. And get ready for rave reviews from your guests!

red sangria in punch bowl with apple and orange slices.

Ingredients & Substitutions

  • Red wine. Pinot Noir is our choice for this recipe because it’s light and smooth. But you can also use a traditional Spanish wine like Rioja or Tempranillo.
  • Apple Cider or Juice. Nothing is quite as symbolic of fall as apple cider is, but you can use regular apple juice too.
  • Whiskey. I use Jim Beam Apple flavored whiskey to add depth. If you’ve never tried it you’re in for a treat. However, you can substitute with regular whiskey or bourbon.
  • Cinnamon schnapps. Schnapps gives this the spicy holiday flavor you need for Thanksgiving and Christmas punch. I love to use Goldschlager or Dekuyper brands.
  • Fruit. Sliced fruit is the signature of sangria. Add sliced apples, oranges, and lemons to the beverage before chilling so they can soak up the punch.

Best Wine for Sangria

The best red wine to use is a dry, light to medium bodied wine. My favorite choices are Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, Shiraz, or a Spanish Rioja or Tempranillo.

In general, use something you would drink on it’s own, but don’t spend more than $10 on wine for sangria.

Variations

  • Instead of using apple whiskey and cinnamon schnapps you could use Fireball. That would give you the bourbon and the spice in one ingredient.
  • Add a 1-liter bottle of club soda or sparkling mineral water just before serving, to give it a fizzy component. It also helps lower the alcohol content per serving, and makes the punch go further.
  • Replace the apple cider with chilled sparkling apple juice. You would add it just before serving so it keeps it’s fizz. These are sold in 750 ml bottles so you would use about 1 1/2 bottles.

How to Make Sangria

Mix all the liquids together, add the fruit, and chill over night. This way the alcohol mellows and all the flavors combine to become one.

red sangria in punch bowl with apple slices and orange slices, overhead.

For a pretty punch bowl presentation, add a couple of apple slices with cloves pressed into them. I used Red Delicious apples for this because they’re so large and firm, and hold up well.

Sliced oranges and lemons complete the fruit garnish. 

PARTY TIP: Insert some cloves into the fruit slices for a pretty garnish. Add cinnamon sticks too if you like.

FAQ’s

Should sangria soak overnight?

While it doesn’t need to soak over night per se, it does need to soak for at least 6 to 8 hours. That way the flavors can fully combine and mellow the alcohol taste.

What fruit to add to fall sangria?

The best fruit to use in your batch of sangria is the fruit that echoes the flavors you used in the recipe. Apples, oranges, lemons, figs, grapes are all good choices.

red sangria with fruit in copper cup.

PARTY TIP: Don’t have a pitcher or punch bowl? Any large vessel will do. Think soup tureen, large mixing bowl, large cylinder vase, or apothecary jar.

More Fall Drinks

When it starts getting cooler outside, these seasonal cocktails are some of my go-to recipes.

More Sangria Recipes

  • Spiced rum sangria will give this recipe a run for the money. It’s got spiced rum and other flavors that are festive and party perfect.
  • Traditional red wine sangria is a fabulous drink all year long.
  • You just can’t beat this white peach sangria for spring and summer! 
  • Another white wine option is this delicious and refreshing pear sangria.

I shared this red apple sangria recipe with Evite for a special “pass the giving” guide for the holiday. We created some fun new twists on old traditions, including décor, recipes, and more.

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red sangria in punch bowl with apple slices and orange slices, overhead.

Fall Apple Sangria

Yield: about 15
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Apple sangria for fall starts with red wine and gets a flavor boost with apple juice, apple whiskey and cinnamon schnapps. Make this party recipe for adult gatherings and entertaining.

Ingredients

  • 1 bottle (750 ml) Pinot Noir, chilled
  • 4 1/2 cups apple cider or apple juice, chilled
  • 3/4 cup apple flavored whiskey (Jim Beam Apple)
  • 1/2 cup cinnamon schnapps
  • Sliced orange, lemon, and apple

Instructions

  1. Combine wine, cider, whiskey, schnapps, and fruit in a container and refrigerate over night.
  2. When ready to serve, pour mixture into a punch bowl or pitcher.

Notes

You substitute the apple cider for sparkling apple juice. Just add the chilled sparkling juice right before serving instead of adding it to the initial mixture.

Top off your sangria with club soda or sparkling mineral water to give it a fizzy essence.

Did you make this recipe?

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