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    Home » Cocktails » Sweet Apple Sangria Recipe for Fall

    Published: Sep 9, 2021 · Updated: Oct 3, 2021 by Sharon Garofalow | This post may contain affiliate links. See the privacy policy linked in my footer.

    Sweet Apple Sangria Recipe for Fall

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Apple Spice Sangria in mason jars with text
    A glass with ice and apple sangria with a cinnamon stick sticking out.

    There’s no better way to enjoy the flavors of fall than with a glass of Apple Sangria. With sweet apples, seasonal spices and red wine, this recipe is perfect for afternoons spent at home or an easy party drink.

    Make a batch of this delicious spiced wine cocktail. Get ready to cozy up inside with this refreshing cocktail!

    Glass of red wine fall sangria on a table near the pitcher and cinnamon sticks.
    With warm fall spices, this Apple Sangria is full of flavor!

    Originally posted in October 2015. This post has since been updated with new images and better directions to make this apple cinnamon sangria perfectly every time.

    Contents hide
    1 Why This Recipe Works
    2 Ingredient Notes
    3 How to Make Apple Sangria
    4 Tips and Tricks
    5 Frequently Asked Questions
    6 Related Recipes
    7 Apple Sangria
    7.1 Ingredients
    7.2 Instructions
    7.3 Notes
    7.4 Nutrition

    I first found this recipe in the cookbook 101 Sangrias and Pitcher Drinks by Kim Haasarud. It’s a really great book when you’re looking for tasty cocktails to serve at parties.

    A party table with text next to it to get email sign ups for a Thanksgiving Planner.

    Why This Recipe Works

    Fall is here! And so are all the holiday parties! This easy fall sangria recipe is the perfect thing to make for all of them.

    Apples and cinnamon are a match made in heaven and work perfectly with the red wine as an awesome fall cocktail. The cloves and vanilla push it over the top!

    And apple sangria with red wine is awesome because it can be made well ahead of time and can sit out during the party.

    With a little bit of prep work, this wine-based cocktail comes together quickly leaving you to enjoy your guests. That’s a win-win.

    AND the sweet smell of apples and cinnamon fills your home with seasonal scents as this delicious drink simmers on the stovetop.

    This recipe is great for Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving as well as any other type of party you want to throw all season long!

    I created this Blackberry Apple Sangria for fall on Momtastic. You should check that out too. And if you’re a red wine fan, you’ll want to check out these easy Red Wine and Tequila Cocktails.

    Ingredient Notes

    Labeled ingredients for making apple sangria with red wine.

    While I’m usually a white wine sangria fan (this pear sangria, so yum!) a fall sangria practically begs for red wine. Use something that is fruity, like a pinot noir, but really anything will work.

    A red apple and a green apple give this the perfect sweet and tart flavor. While I like this combo best, you can do 2 red or even 2 green if you prefer. I’m a huge fan of Honeycrisp so I could see using that also.

    I used apple juice but you can also use apple cider or even a fresh-pressed juice.

    Cinnamon, cloves and vanilla give this apple spice sangria all the flavor. Feel free to add more flavors like cardamom or even a little ginger to suit your flavor preferences. You can use a vanilla bean if you have one but they’ve been really hard to find lately.

    Simple syrup helps to balance out all these flavors and make it super easy to drink. Or make a cinnamon vanilla simple syrup to use instead and give it a second layer of cinnamon flavor.

    Or you can leave it out if you don’t love sweet drinks and add sweetness to your glass if you find you need it.

    If you want to amp this up for a party, you can add 1/2 cup of cognac. It will also add some complexity to the flavor. If you don’t have cognac, don’t sweat it. You’ll still get a super delicious apple sangria.

    For a party, you can garnish with apple slices or cinnamon sticks or even a cinnamon sugar rim.

    How to Make Apple Sangria

    A sauce pan with chopped apples and cinnamon.

    In a saucepan, combine the chopped apples, apple juice, whole cloves and cinnamon over low heat. If you are using simple syrup, you can add it now.

    If using vanilla bean, you will scrape the insides into the pan and then leave add the bean pod to steep as well.

    Saucepan with chopped apples and white spatula.
    Cooked apples in a saucepan.

    Stir the apples while cooking. They should cook down and start to caramelize in about 15-20 minutes.

    A bottle of vanilla on a counter next to a saucepan.

    Remove the apples from the heat and add a splash of vanilla (if you couldn’t find vanilla beans) then stir to combine.

    Let cool completely.

    A pitcher of red wine and cooked apples next to an empty bottle of red wine.

    Scrape cooked and cooled cinnamon apples (and all juices) into a large glass pitcher. If using, add the cognac and stir well.

    Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. This will help all the flavors to develop and the wine to infuse with that yummy apple flavor.

    2 mason jars of red wine apple sangria on a table.
    If you came over from Pinterest, you may have seen this image from my original post.

    To serve, add ice to a glass and top with Apple Sangria. Garnish with a cinnamon stick or apple slice.

    When serving at a party, you can set out the pitcher for guests to serve themselves. Or if you are serving a lot of people, you can make a few batches ahead of time and serve out of a large punchbowl or another large glass container.

    I love to use cute mason jars for my parties. You can easily pick them up from just about any store (including thrift stores!) and they make everything seem more down-home and casual. No stuffy wine glasses here!

    Also, how cute are those corn husk luminaries!? I just bought a bunch of corn husks and used a decorative punch to make a pattern on the “leaves.” I attached them to the tall plain glass candles with a little bit of hot glue and layered them all the way around. They look so “fall” to me.

    Tips and Tricks

    • Add pears, persimmons, figs, or other fall fruits to the apples in this recipe to create a unique version of this sangria.
    • If you wanted to make a non-alcoholic version you could remove the red wine and play around with grape and cranberry juices.
    • If red wine really isn’t your thing, you could try this Apple Sangria with a fruity and sweet white wine like a viognier or reisling.
    • If you want to try to get out a few more servings for a party, you could top each glass with a bit of club soda. It will add fizz, make it extra refreshing and sneak out an extra serving or two.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the best wine for sangria?

    Pinot Noir is a fruity red wine that is easy to find at most stores. Grenache is another great pick and is a great value. I used a cabernet sauvignon since that’s what I prefer.

    Should you eat the fruit in sangria?

    Yes! Since the fruit soaks in the liquid for several hours, it will soak up some delicious flavor. You can eat the fruit if you want to.

    What can you do with leftover sangria?

    You’ll be able to enjoy it longer if you make sure to separate the soaked fruit from the sangria. You can freeze the fruit and use it for wine smoothies or other cocktail recipes. You can keep the sangria liquid in the fridge for a few days.

    A glass full of iced sangria made with red wine and cooked apples.

    This delicious Apple Sangria recipe is flavorful enough to serve at your next fall party–or just a relaxing night in with friends. With red wine and seasonal spices, it’s refreshing and cozy.

    Pin this post now so you can make it later on when the leaves start changing colors!

    Related Recipes

    • Non-Alcoholic Kid’s “Sangria”
    • Sangria Made with Iced Tea
    • Passion Fruit Sangria Recipe
    Close up of apple sangria in a cut with ice and a cinnamon stick.

    Apple Sangria

    This red wine Apple Sangria has tasty fall spices like cinnamon and cloves. It's easy to make and makes a great party drink for a crowd. You won't believe how delicious your home smells while you make this on the stovetop.
    No ratings yet
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: cocktails
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Rest Time: 4 hours
    Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes
    Servings: 5 servings
    Calories: 312kcal
    Author: Sharon Garofalow

    Ingredients

    • 1 red apple cored and cut into chunks
    • 1 green apple cored and cut into chunks
    • 1 cup apple juice
    • 15 whole cloves
    • 4 dashes of cinnamon
    • 1 vanilla bean cut lengthwise or 1 tsp vanilla extract
    • 1 bottle red wine
    • 1/2 cup cognac optional
    • 1/3 cup simple syrup optional
    • cinnamon sticks for garnish

    Instructions

    • In a saucepan, combine the chopped apples, apple juice, whole cloves, and cinnamon over low heat. If using the vanilla bean, scrape the middle into the saucepan and add the pod to steep.
    • Cook, stirring fairly constantly, until apples just begin to carameliz about 15-20 minutes.
    • Remove from heat and set aside. If using vanilla extract, add it now and stir to combine.
    • Let cool.
    • Combine the wine and cognac in a large ceramic or glass container.
    • Add the apple-spice mixture and stir well.
    • Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
    • Serve over ice and garnish with cinnamon sticks.

    Notes

    • Add pears, persimmons, figs, or other fall fruits to the apples in this recipe to create a unique version of this sangria.
    • If you wanted to make a non-alcoholic version you could remove the red wine and play around with grape and cranberry juices.
    • If red wine really isn’t your thing, you could try this Apple Sangria with a fruity and sweet white wine like a viognier or riesling.
    • If you want to try to get out a few more servings for a party, you could top each glass with a bit of club soda. It will add fizz, make it extra refreshing and sneak out an extra serving or two.
    • If you end up with leftover sangria, separate the soaked fruit from the liquid. You can freeze the fruit and use it for wine smoothies or other cocktail recipes. You can keep the sangria liquid in the fridge and drink for a few more days.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 5Servings | Calories: 312kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 18mg | Potassium: 161mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 49IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @CupcakesCutlery or tag #cupcakescutlery!

     


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    About Sharon Garofalow

    Sharon lives in Southern California with her adorable family. She loves to share ideas to make mom life easier and encourage busy gals to make time for themselves too! Sharon's "me" time often includes watching Hallmark Channel movies, sipping sauvignon blanc, trying not to eat Salt and Pepper potato chips, and planning girlfriend getaways.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. kim.byers says

      October 08, 2010 at 10:21 am

      This is so yummy and a beautiful shot!

      Reply
    2. Poppychic says

      October 07, 2010 at 10:12 pm

      Thank you! This sounds like the perfect fall sangria…yummo :) I think I'll give it a try this weekend.

      Reply
    3. coolkids says

      October 07, 2010 at 6:31 pm

      mmm I need to make this for our halloween party!

      Reply

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    Based in Southern California, I am the mom to two amazing boys and married to the raddest man in all the land. Cupcakes and Cutlery is your resource for simple solutions to help you be an awesome wife and mother and not lose yourself in the process. Email me at cupcakesandcutlery@gmail.com

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