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Perfect Spiced Cranberry Apple Cider Sangria Recipe (Easy)

Spiced Cranberry Apple Cider Sangria - featured image
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This warm-spiced, fruit-packed sangria is the perfect fall drink. It’s quick and easy to make, using simple ingredients, and is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 bottle dry white wine (750 ml), such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio
  • 2 cups apple cider (not apple juice)
  • 1 cup cranberry juice (100% juice, not cocktail)
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup (or honey)
  • 1/4 cup brandy (optional but recommended)
  • 1 orange, thinly sliced
  • 1 apple, thinly sliced (Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith)
  • 1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 4 whole cloves
  • 2 star anise pods (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • Ice for serving
  • Sparkling water or ginger ale for topping (optional)
  • For the spiced simple syrup: 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 2 cinnamon sticks, 4 whole cloves, 2 star anise pods

Instructions

  1. Make the spiced syrup: In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 2 cinnamon sticks, 4 whole cloves, and 2 star anise pods. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves. Reduce heat and simmer for 8-10 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and let steep for 15 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl or jar. Discard spices. Set aside to cool completely.
  2. Prep the fruit: While the syrup steeps, slice the orange and apple into thin rounds (about 1/4-inch thick). Remove seeds from apple slices. Rinse fresh cranberries if using. Place all fruit in the bottom of a large pitcher.
  3. Build the base: Pour apple cider and cranberry juice over the fruit. Add cooled spiced syrup and brandy (if using). Stir gently with a wooden spoon to combine.
  4. Add the wine: Pour the entire bottle of white wine into the pitcher. Stir gently. Add 1 cinnamon stick and the freshly grated nutmeg. Stir once more.
  5. Chill and marry: Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. The longer it sits, the more the flavors meld.
  6. Serve: Fill glasses with ice. Stir the sangria, then pour into glasses, making sure each glass gets some fruit. Top with a splash of sparkling water or ginger ale if desired. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and extra cranberries if desired.
  7. Scale up for a crowd: To double the recipe, simply double every ingredient. Use a larger pitcher or split between two.

Notes

Don’t skip the chilling time. The sangria needs at least 4 hours to develop its full flavor. Overnight is ideal. The spiced syrup can be made a day ahead and refrigerated. For a red wine version, swap white wine for a medium-bodied red like Merlot or Zinfandel and reduce maple syrup to 1/3 cup. For a non-alcoholic version, replace wine with sparkling apple cider or non-alcoholic white wine and omit brandy.

Nutrition

Keywords: sangria, cranberry apple cider sangria, spiced sangria, fall sangria, holiday sangria, easy sangria recipe

Find it online: https://lemonydrinks.com/perfect-spiced-cranberry-apple-cider-sangria-recipe-easy/