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Cozy Spiced Apple Cider Sangria: Best Fall Pitcher Recipe

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This cozy spiced apple cider sangria is the perfect fall pitcher drink, combining warm spices, fresh fruit, and wine for a crowd-pleasing beverage that works both warm and cold.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine or white wine
  • 4 cups (960 ml) apple cider
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) brandy or bourbon
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) maple syrup or honey
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 4 whole cloves
  • 2 star anise pods (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 2 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji), sliced
  • 1 large orange, sliced into rounds and halved
  • 1 cup (100 g) fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1 pear, sliced (optional)
  • Ice cubes (optional, for serving cold)
  • Extra cinnamon sticks and apple slices for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prep your fruit: Wash and slice apples into thin rounds or small chunks. Slice orange into thin rounds, then cut each round in half. If using pear, slice similarly. Rinse cranberries if fresh. Set aside.
  2. Heat the cider mixture: Pour apple cider into a large pot or Dutch oven. Add cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, star anise (if using), and freshly grated nutmeg. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat (do not boil). Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
  3. Sweeten it up: Stir in maple syrup or honey while cider is still warm until dissolved. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
  4. Add the alcohol: Pour in wine and brandy (or bourbon). Stir gently to combine.
  5. Combine everything in the pitcher: Place sliced fruit in the bottom of a large pitcher or punch bowl. Pour warm spiced sangria mixture over the fruit. Stir gently to distribute fruit evenly.
  6. Let it rest: Cover and let sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour, or refrigerate overnight for best flavor.
  7. Serve and enjoy: Stir before serving. For warm sangria, gently reheat on stove over low heat (do not boil). Pour into mugs or heatproof glasses, ensuring each serving gets some fruit. Garnish with cinnamon stick and apple slices. For cold sangria, pour over ice and add fruit.

Notes

For best flavor, let sangria rest overnight in the refrigerator. Remove whole spices after 24 hours to prevent overpowering. This recipe doubles and triples easily. For a non-alcoholic version, replace wine with grape juice and brandy with extra apple cider or sparkling water.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider sangria, fall sangria, spiced sangria, warm sangria, cold sangria, pitcher drink, fall cocktail, non-alcoholic sangria

Find it online: https://coracooks.com/cozy-spiced-apple-cider-sangria-best-fall-pitcher-recipe/