Description

A festive, make-ahead autumn cocktail blending red wine, spiced apple cider, and fresh fruit. This easy-to-batch drink is perfect for parties, featuring warm spices and a balanced sweet-tart flavor profile.

Ingredients

Scale

1 bottle (750ml) medium-bodied red wine (Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon)
1 quart (950ml) spiced apple cider
1/2 cup (120ml) bourbon or brandy (optional)
1/2 cup (120ml) freshly squeezed orange juice
3 large cinnamon sticks
3–4 star anise pods
4–5 whole cloves
2–3 cardamom pods, lightly crushed
2 medium apples (mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp/Gala), sliced
1 large orange, sliced
1 medium pear (Bosc or Anjou), sliced
2–3 sprigs fresh rosemary or thyme
Ice cubes (large preferred)

Instructions

Wash all fruit thoroughly. Slice apples, oranges, and pears into thin rounds or wedges. Remove seeds and set aside.
Pour the red wine, apple cider, orange juice, and bourbon or brandy into a large pitcher. Stir gently to combine.
Taste the liquid mixture and adjust sweetness or tartness with more cider or orange juice if needed.
Add the cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, and cardamom pods to the pitcher. Stir to distribute.
Gently toss the sliced fruit into the pitcher, submerging them slightly. Add rosemary or thyme sprigs.
Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight, to allow flavors to meld.
Stir gently before serving. Fill glasses with ice cubes.
Ladle sangria into glasses, ensuring each serving gets fruit and spices. Garnish with fresh fruit slices and herbs.
Serve immediately. Best consumed within 24 hours.

Notes

For best results, make the sangria the night before to allow spices to infuse. Use whole spices, not powder, to avoid a gritty texture. If serving warm, gently heat on the stove over low heat without boiling. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days, but strain out fruit after 24 hours to prevent mushiness.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Beverage
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 glass
Calories: 180
Sugar: 18
Sodium: 5
Carbohydrates: 22
Fiber: 2
Protein: 1

Keywords: fall cocktail, cider sangria, party drink, make-ahead drink, autumn recipe, red wine sangria, easy party punch