Best Easy Apple Cider Halloween Sangria Recipe
A light and spiced apple cider sangria that’s crisp, not too sweet, and perfect for Halloween parties. This easy recipe comes together in minutes with simple ingredients and is a crowd-pleaser.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes (includes chilling time)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (720 ml) apple cider
- 1 bottle (750 ml) dry white wine (Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc)
- ½ cup (120 ml) apple brandy (Calvados or bourbon)
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) honey
- 3 whole cinnamon sticks
- 2 whole star anise pods
- 2 medium fresh apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji), cut into thin rounds
- 1 large fresh orange, cut into thin rounds
- ½ cup (60 g) fresh cranberries (optional)
- 1 cup (240 ml) club soda or sparkling water
Instructions
- Prep the Fruit (5 minutes): Wash apples and orange thoroughly. Cut apples into thin rounds, about ¼-inch thick, then cut rounds in half. Cut orange into thin rounds, leaving peel on. Rinse cranberries if using.
- Combine the Base (2 minutes): In a large pitcher, pour apple cider, white wine, and apple brandy.
- Add Sweetener and Spices (1 minute): Drizzle in honey. Drop in cinnamon sticks and star anise pods. Stir gently with a wooden spoon.
- Add the Fruit (3 minutes): Gently drop in apple slices, orange rounds, and cranberries. Push some fruit down into the liquid.
- Chill (minimum 4 hours, ideally overnight): Cover pitcher and refrigerate. Let fruit absorb liquid and spices infuse.
- Add the Fizz (right before serving): Remove pitcher from fridge. Stir gently. Pour in club soda or sparkling water. Stir once more gently.
- Serve (2 minutes): Fill glasses or mason jars with ice. Ladle or pour sangria over ice, ensuring each glass gets some fruit.
Notes
Use a dry white wine to balance sweetness. Don’t overdo spices—they should whisper, not shout. Use room temperature honey for easier mixing. Let fruit soak for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. Add ice to glasses, not the pitcher, to avoid dilution. Taste before serving and adjust honey if needed. For a non-alcoholic version, replace wine and brandy with more apple cider and ginger ale.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 ounces
- Calories: 185
- Sugar: 18
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 1
Keywords: apple cider sangria, Halloween sangria, fall sangria, spiced sangria, easy sangria recipe, apple cider drink, Halloween party drink