Red Apple Fall Sangria

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!

• Add it to an appetizers & sangria party.
• Serve it to adults at a pumpkin carving party.
• Make this your signature drink at Thanksgiving.
• Let family and friends sip on it at a Christmas party.

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.

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.

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. 

FAQ’s

More Fall Drinks

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

• Classic hot toddy.
• Traditional mulled wine.
• Fall themed apple pie cocktail.

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.