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Cozy Friendsgiving Apple Cinnamon Sangria

Cozy Friendsgiving Apple Cinnamon Sangria - featured image
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A warm, festive, and easy-to-make sangria featuring dry red wine, spiced apple cider, and fresh autumn fruits. Perfect for Friendsgiving or casual gatherings, this drink allows flavors to meld for a complex, comforting taste.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 bottle (750ml) dry red wine (Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon)
  • 100% pure apple cider (cloudy/unfiltered preferred)
  • 1/2 to 1 cup Apple Brandy or Dark Rum (e.g., Appleton Estate)
  • 2–3 firm apples (Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji), cored and sliced into wedges
  • 1 Orange, sliced into thin rounds
  • 3–4 Cinnamon Sticks
  • 2–3 Star Anise pods
  • 1 inch Fresh Ginger, peeled and sliced into coins
  • 1–2 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice (optional, for balance)
  • Fresh apple slices or rosemary sprigs for garnish

Instructions

  1. Wash the apples and oranges thoroughly. Core the apples and slice them into thin wedges. Slice the oranges into thin rounds. Peel the ginger and slice it into thin coins.
  2. Place the sliced apples, oranges, and ginger into a large glass pitcher. Add the cinnamon sticks and star anise on top.
  3. Pour in the entire bottle of red wine, followed by the apple cider. Add the apple brandy or dark rum and lemon juice (if using).
  4. Stir the mixture gently but thoroughly to distribute the spices. Cover the pitcher with a tight-fitting lid.
  5. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, but ideally 4 to 12 hours, to allow the flavors to meld and the spices to infuse.
  6. Taste the sangria before serving. Adjust sweetness with more cider or tartness with lemon juice if needed.
  7. Give the sangria one final stir. Ladle into glasses, ensuring each serving includes fruit and spices. Garnish and serve immediately while cold.

Notes

The sangria benefits from being made ahead of time. Letting it sit for 4-12 hours allows the tannins to soften and the spices to infuse evenly. If making a day in advance, add a bit more wine or cider at the end to compensate for dilution from the fruit. Do not freeze with fruit inside; strain liquid first if freezing. Use fresh spices for best flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: Friendsgiving, Apple Cinnamon Sangria, Red Wine Punch, Autumn Drinks, Party Drinks, Non-Alcoholic Option, Fall Recipes

Find it online: https://lindabake.com/cozy-friendsgiving-apple-cinnamon-sangria-5-best-party-drinks/