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    Home » Drinks and Cocktails » Cranberry Apple Cider Sangria

    Cranberry Apple Cider Sangria

    Published: Oct 12, 2015 · Modified: Sep 2, 2020 by Elaine · This post may contain Amazon affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This blog generates income via ads · 86 Comments

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    Image and text overlay Celebrate Fall with Sangria
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    Celebrate the season with this simple Cranberry Apple Cider Sangria flavoured with fresh cranberries and apples. This one is a crowd-pleaser for any season! Made with cranberry juice and apple cider, this red wine cranberry sangria is one your friends will love.

    a glass of cranberry apple cider sangria with a cinnamon stick

    Any Spaniard will tell you that Sangria is not just a summertime drink. Adding seasonal fruit to red or white wine is an ideal way to celebrate in the fall and winter months too! This Cranberry Apple Cider Sangria tops my list of favourite ways to celebrate the season.

    ❤️Why you'll love this Cranberry Apple Cider Sangria

    • This red wine sangria is perfect for Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, Christmas or any time you want to celebrate!
    • It's not too sweet, but not too tart.
    • The base can be made ahead of time. Just add sparkling water when you're ready to serve.
    • Adding fruits in season, like apples and cranberries makes it festive!

    If you've been a reader of mine for a while, you probably know that sangria is my favourite drink! I sampled it in almost every tapa bar we visited during our trips to Spain, and NEVER tired of it!  I've done my best to create different sangria recipes, like this Red Wine Citrus Pomegranate Sangria, ever since.

    Super simple Cranberry Apple Cider Sangria garnished with cranberries, apples and a cinnamon stick

    Jump to:
    • ❤️Why you'll love this Cranberry Apple Cider Sangria
    • 🛒 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 👍🏼 Top Tip
    • You may be wondering . . .
    • Storage instructions
    • Love Sangria?
    • 🍽 Serving suggestions
    • 🗒 More fun drink recipes to try
    • 📖 Recipe

    🛒 Ingredients

    Ready to make a pitcher of cranberry sangria? Before we get to the full recipe, here are a few notes about the ingredients you'll need and substitutions you can make.

    • red wine: one 750 ml (26 ounce) bottle.
    • apple cider: the "soft" non-alcoholic variety. See the note below about the difference between hard and soft apple cider. If you can't find apple cider, you can use pure unsweetened apple juice.
    • cranberry juice: unsweetened. If you can't find unsweetened cranberry juice, decrease the amount of honey in the recipe below.
    • Triple Sec: or other orange liqueur (Curaçao, Gran Marnier, Cointreau)
    • honey: or substitute with simple syrup made by heating equal parts of sugar and water over medium heat until dissolved.
    • cranberries: fresh or frozen, both will work just fine.
    • apples: freshly diced red and green apple cubes (no need to peel). You can also add cubes of fresh pear if you'd like.
    • sparkling water: to top off each glass and add some fizz!
    • cinnamon sticks: for garnish and a hint of warm fall spice!

    This simple-to-make Cranberry Apple Cider Sangria is not too sweet, but not too tart, once you add a little honey or some simple syrup. I used pure, unfiltered cranberry juice and apple cider with no added sweeteners or preservatives, produced locally.

    🔪 Instructions

    In a large pitcher, combine red wine, cranberry juice, apple cider, Triple Sec, honey, cranberries and apple cubes. Stir and refrigerate.

    At serving time, add ice to each glass. Fill the glasses two-thirds full with sangria, making sure each glass has some of the fruit. Top each glass with sparkling water and add a tall cinnamon stick as a stir stick. Enjoy!

    👍🏼 Top Tip

    While you can make this cranberry apple cider sangria and drink it right away, it's even better if you make it the day before. Let it chill in the fridge to allow the flavours and fruit to blend.

    When you're ready to serve, top off each glass with ice and sparkling water.

    two glasses of cranberry apple cider sangria with chopped apples and cinnamon sticks

    You may be wondering . . .

    What's the difference between hard apple cider and soft apple cider?

    Apple cider can be "hard" or "soft." Hard cider is a fermented, alcoholic drink, but soft cider, (also called fresh cider), is unfiltered and non-alcoholic.

    It differs from apple juice in that it has not been filtered to remove coarse particles, so it appears a little cloudy. It is naturally sweet, but often has more of a tang than apple juice that has been filtered.

    It's perfect when combined with cranberry juice in this sangria. However, if you can't find soft cider, you can use apple juice.

    What kind of red wine should I use for Sangria?

    You don't need to use an expensive wine in this sangria recipe. However, it should be one that you like! I usually use a Merlot or a Cabernet Sauvignon.

    Are you supposed to eat the fruit in Sangria?

    By all means! The fruit is delicious because it has been soaked in juice and alcohol. However, if it's awkward, it's not considered rude to leave it in your glass.

    .

    Cranberry Apple Cider Sangria. Perfect for fall celebrations!

    Storage instructions

    If you have leftover Sangria, just pop it in the fridge for another day. Store it in a container with a lid. It will last for several days. The fruit will soften but you can always add fresh fruit and enjoy a glass another time!

    Love Sangria?

    Try this Citrus Pomegranate Sangria too!

    🍽 Serving suggestions

    Start your afternoon or evening off on a festive note by offering an assortment of finger foods to go with your Sangria! Check these ideas for popular appetizers.

    20 Easy Finger Food Appetizers

    5 Tips for Making Crostini - Ultimate Guide

    9 Easy Healthy Dip Recipes

    🗒 More fun drink recipes to try

    • Two glasses of pineapple ginger beer mocktail with black and white striped straws.
      3-Ingredient Pineapple Ginger Beer Mocktail
    • Apple Cider Ginger Beer Mocktail
    • A glass of turmeric tonic with a lemon slice.
      Ginger Turmeric Tonic
    • Two glasses of sugar-free watermelon lemonade with monkfruit.
      Sugar-Free Watermelon Lemonade with Monkfruit

    When you make this Cranberry Apple Cider Sangria please leave a comment and a star rating below. I love hearing when you've made one of my recipes. Thanks in advance! Subscribe to my newsletter and have new recipes delivered straight to your inbox once a week.

    📖 Recipe

    Two glasses of Cranberry Apple Cider Sangria garnished with fruit and a cinnamon stick

    Cranberry Apple Cider Sangria

    A simple recipe for Cranberry Apple Cider Sangria, made with red wine, orange liqueur, fresh cranberry juice and soft cider. Perfect for celebrating fall and winter!
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Drinks and Cocktails
    Cuisine: Spanish
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 136kcal
    Author: Elaine
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    Ingredients

    • 1 750ml (26 oz) bottle red wine
    • 3 cups soft apple cider (non-alcoholic)
    • 1 cup unsweetened cranberry juice
    • ½ cup Triple Sec or other orange liqueur
    • ½ cup honey* (or ½ cup simple syrup made by heating equal parts of sugar and water over medium heat until dissolved)
    • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
    • 1 cup freshly diced red and/or green apple cubes
    • sparkling water to top off
    • cinnamon sticks for garnish

    Instructions

    • Combine red wine, apple cider (or pure apple juice) cranberry juice, orange liqueur and honey (or simple syrup) in a large pitcher.
    • Add cranberries and diced unpeeled apples. Chill overnight if desired.
    • Serve over ice, if desired, filling glasses ⅔ full and topping off with sparkling water.
    • Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a straw.

    Video

    Notes

    *If you use honey, it might sink to the bottom of the pitcher if it is left to sit for awhile, so just give it a stir before serving it.
    While you can make this cranberry apple cider sangria and drink it right away, it's even better if you make it the day before. Let it chill in the fridge to allow the flavours and fruit to blend. When you're ready to serve, top off each glass with ice and sparkling water.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 136kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 111mg | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 4.4mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.3mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @enessman or tag #flavourandsavour!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Maria

      October 01, 2022 at 10:26 am

      5 stars
      The perfect drink for Thanksgiving!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 01, 2022 at 6:18 pm

        Yes! It has all the Fall vibes!

        Reply
      • Kady

        November 22, 2022 at 11:40 am

        what kind of red is best?

        Reply
        • Elaine

          November 22, 2022 at 5:44 pm

          Hi Kady, It really doesn’t matter too much. Pick a red that you like. I like to use a Malbec or a Cabernet Sauvignon in this sangria. Enjoy—it’s my favourite sangria!

    2. Sue Endress

      October 27, 2021 at 1:55 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious! I made this for a group at a wine tasting party. Everyone loved it! I will definitely be making this at Thanksgiving, and probably doubling the recipe!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 27, 2021 at 4:17 pm

        That's great to hear Sue! I love this Sangria too, it's just so simple, by simply so good!

        Reply
    3. Lorilei

      October 18, 2021 at 7:25 pm

      5 stars
      Best sangria I've ever had! I make it every Fall, made it last weekend and it will definitely be on the menu for Thanksgiving!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        October 18, 2021 at 7:36 pm

        Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! Appreciated!

        Reply
    4. Celila

      April 01, 2021 at 7:28 am

      In the video you can see that the honey just fell to the bottom of the pitcher, not sure if anyone has noticed

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        April 01, 2021 at 4:50 pm

        Yes, the honey will naturally sink to the bottom as it's heavier. You'll see in the Notes section of the recipe card it mentions this fact and recommends giving it a stir before serving. If you don't want to use honey, you'll see in the Ingredients section in the post that I suggested using a sugar-syrup instead. Sure hope this helps you! Thanks for commenting.

        Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        April 02, 2021 at 2:50 pm

        Hi Celila, Yes, the honey will naturally sink to the bottom, as it's heavier. You'll see that I mentioned this in the Notes section of the recipe card. Other readers haven't found this to be a problem--just give it a stir before serving. I also included a suggestion to use sugar syrup as an alternative. Hope this helps! Thanks for your comment.

        Reply
      • Jde94

        July 14, 2021 at 10:51 pm

        I make this every year for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s always a hit! I use Merlot. Instead of honey, I just buy simple syrup already on the shelf! Best sangria ever!

        Reply
        • Elaine

          July 15, 2021 at 7:33 pm

          Happy to hear that!

    5. Angie Pokryfki

      December 18, 2019 at 6:10 pm

      Would spiced apple cider work for this? I have lots that I made this fall that I would like to use, but not sure about the spices and the wine.

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        December 18, 2019 at 8:33 pm

        Hi Angie, I've never tried it with spiced apple cider, but I think it would be delicious!! If you try it, I'd love to hear what you think!

        Reply
    6. Ally

      November 27, 2019 at 9:04 am

      If I would like to double the recipe, can I just double each ingredient? So excited to try for thanksgiving!

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        November 27, 2019 at 9:33 am

        Yes! That will work. Happy Thanksgiving!

        Reply
    7. K8

      November 23, 2019 at 8:20 pm

      This looks amazing! I was wondering if you thought sparkling apple cider would work in lu of sparkling water and apple cider? We would be serving it thanksgiving

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        November 23, 2019 at 10:50 pm

        I’ll bet that will be delicious! I think that will work. It may be a little sweeter, so you might want to reduce the amount of sweetener. Taste and see what you like!

        Reply
    8. Tracy Greene

      October 06, 2019 at 6:01 pm

      4 stars
      I added about 1/4 cup brandy, because my MIL always adds this to her recipe. It was perfect this way.

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        October 08, 2019 at 7:15 am

        Hi Tracy, Yes, you can certainly use brandy. In this recipe I used Triple Sec instead of the brandy. Cheers!

        Reply
    9. Hope

      December 26, 2018 at 7:21 am

      Light, easy, and delicious. Very good!

      Reply
    10. Anna

      December 10, 2018 at 6:08 pm

      How far ahead of time can this be made?

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        December 10, 2018 at 7:14 pm

        Hi Anna,
        It's best if made the day before you plan to serve it. Just don't add the sparkling water until serving time. Enjoy!

        Reply
    11. Lynn Fogarty

      November 22, 2018 at 6:30 pm

      5 stars
      This was so delicious. Everyone really enjoyed the sangria.

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        November 22, 2018 at 6:39 pm

        That's good to hear! Thanks for letting me know. I love this one, too!

        Reply
    12. Colleen

      November 21, 2018 at 6:52 am

      I don't see the recipe anymore. I've made this before and loved it. Is anyone else having a problem?

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        November 21, 2018 at 8:17 am

        Hi Colleen,
        Apologies! There was a glitch but I have fixed it and the recipe is there now. Cheers!

        Reply
    13. yasmine

      November 21, 2018 at 5:58 am

      I don't see the recipe instructions here 🙁

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        November 21, 2018 at 8:18 am

        Thanks for letting me know Yasmine! Fixed now. Cheers!

        Reply
    14. Vanessa

      October 19, 2018 at 1:02 pm

      Thanks for sharing! Can I make the concentrate ahead of time?

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        October 19, 2018 at 1:05 pm

        Absolutely, Vanessa. Store it in the fridge and you’ll be ready to go!

        Reply
        • Lez

          November 09, 2018 at 8:50 pm

          Hi . Excited to make this . What is meant by making just the concentrate the night before?

        • Flavour & Savour

          November 09, 2018 at 8:54 pm

          Hi Lez,
          Thanks for your question. You can mix up the juices, alcohol and wine the day before, refrigerate it, then just add the sparkling water and the fruit before serving. Enjoy every sip!

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