Apple Cider Sangria with Pomegranate
Apple Cider Sangria with pomegranate is the perfect fall holiday drink! It’s festive, easy to make, even easier to drink, and can be made nonalcoholic too. Simply mix, chill, assemble, and enjoy!
Apple Cider Sangria
I have a treat for you today! This twist on sangria is perfect for fall or winter, making it ideal for all of your upcoming holiday parties. And it also tastes great without the alcohol for any of you who are looking for a good mocktail option.
I have to warn you — fall sangria with apple cider goes down really easy… maybe too easy, haha! It comes together with apple cider, pomegranate juice, some warm and cozy spices, red wine, fresh fruit, and a few other extras. I like to make the base, chill it so all of the flavors really meld, and then add the alcohol (and some soda for bubbles) just before serving. It comes out so well every time!
I will most definitely be serving this at Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, and I just may make a batch to enjoy while I’m wrapping presents too. I think once you try it, you’re going to adore this sangria recipe with apple cider just as much as I do!
Why You’ll Love Fall Sangria
- Super easy
- Full of fall flavors
- Make it in advance for parties
- Pomegranate pairs perfectly with apple cider
- Tons of fresh fruit
- Can be made nonalcoholic
Key Ingredients to Make My Sangria Recipe with Apple Cider
- APPLE CIDER – The base of your apple cider sangria! You can use whatever cider you normally reach for. I love a good local option, but if you don’t have something nearby, store-bought is totally fine.
- JUICE – You’ll need both pomegranate and orange juice. They add fruity and citrusy flavor and balance out the sweetness in the apple cider and fruit.
- RED WINE – Use a red wine that you love drinking on its own. A Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot would work well.
- FRUIT – I added orange slices and apple slices as well as some pomegranate seeds. The seeds are optional, but I love the color and flavor.
- SODA – You have a few options when it comes to adding your bubbles: lemon-lime soda, ginger ale, or club soda are all great.
- BRANDY – Adds a touch of warmth and makes your fall sangria even more boozy.
- SPICES – I use ground cinnamon, allspice, and cloves! Nutmeg or an apple pie spice blend are a few more you could add.
Instructions to Make Fall Sangria with Apple Cider
BOIL: Add the apple cider, pomegranate juice, orange juice, and spices to a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat immediately and add the fresh fruit.
CHILL: Place the apple cider sangria mixture in a serving pitcher and cover. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours — overnight is best. Place the red wine, soda, and brandy in the fridge to chill too.
ASSEMBLE & SERVE: Just before serving, stir in the wine, soda, and brandy. Garnish your fall cider sangria with more fresh fruit, serve, and enjoy!
FAQ
Most recipes call for dark liquor — that’s why I add brandy here — but you can definitely get creative! I find that it pairs so well with red wine in this fall sangria. If you don’t want to use brandy, then bourbon, dark rum, or even just vodka would all work.
Absolutely! All you need to do is leave out the red wine and brandy. You can enjoy it as is, or add in some grape or cranberry juice to make up for the missing wine.
You should start your sangria recipe with apple cider the night before and finish it the day of! I like to let the juices and fruit chill together overnight before I add the alcohol and soda before serving. That extra time in the fridge makes the whole thing super duper flavorful.
Choose whatever type of brandy you enjoy drinking on its own. I know some amateur bartenders try to choose a Spanish brandy, as sangria is a traditional Spanish beverage, but you don’t have to. Use your preferred brand!
Fall Cider Sangria Pro Tips
- Which apples to choose: You can use any variety of apples for the apple slices! I personally love Red Delicious for its bright color, but I’ve also used Granny Smith for a pop of green!
- You’ll also need orange slices. Blood oranges would be really pretty.
- Use store-bought or homemade cider: I have a homemade apple cider recipe if you would like to try it. It’s easier than you think!
- If you prefer a sweeter sangria, add a splash of simple syrup or some honey. And if you want the apple cider sangria recipe as-is to be less sweet, reduce the amount of cider or pomegranate juice.
- Plan accordingly: You really can’t skip the chilling step here, so make sure you give yourself enough time!
- Speaking of planning ahead, I like to make things that can be prepped in advance. It just makes my life so much easier! That’s why I love offering drinks like this that can be made ahead so I don’t have to play bartender and try to get the meal done on time. Trust me, it’s not a pretty sight, lol!
More Sangria Recipes To Try
Thanks so much for reading! Let me know what you think about this fall sangria!
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Apple Cider Sangria with Pomegranate
Ingredients
- 3 cups (710ml) apple cider
- 2 cups (475ml) pomegranate juice
- 1 cup (235ml) orange juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon ground clove
- 1 orange, thinly sliced
- 1 apple, thinly sliced
- 1 (750ml) bottle red wine of choice
- 1 (12oz) (355ml) can of lemon lime soda or ginger ale or club soda
- ½ cup (120ml) brandy
Instructions
- In a large saucepan heat the apple cider, pomegranate juice, orange juice, cinnamon, allspice, and clove just until it starts to boil. Remove from heat and add sliced fruit.
- Transfer to serving pitcher, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours but up to 24 hours. Be sure to have the wine and soda chilling as well.
- When ready to serve stir in the wine, soda, and brandy. Serve with additional fruit if desired.
Notes
- Nutrition facts: Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the information shown is just an estimate. Nutrition information was calculated using lemon-lime soda.
This is so beautiful and sounds delicious too! How large is that pitcher and could you tell me where you purchased it? I’ve been looking for something similar but can’t quite find the right look. Thank you!
Hi Amanda! It can hold 5 cups of liquid and I purchased it from Target 3 years ago.
Thank you!!!
I love that you included a non-alcoholic version! This sounds amazing! Have you ever made it hot, like a wassail? I’m thinking it might be really good that way, too! (But without the alcohol!)
I have only just read about wassail!! It sounds so interesting!! And I have made this hot without the alcohol and it is a really good apple cider.
Love this fall twist on a summer staple!
It’s a good one!! 🙂
I’m making this for my holidays parties! Love all that flavor!
Thanks Julie!! 🙂
Wow! It’s so pretty and I’m going to be trying this one soon. Sounds delicious!
Thank you!!
Well, it’s certainly pretty! Did you use the murky cider or the filtered? Cause the one I have isn’t filtered and I’m not sure it would look so pretty mixed with pom juice.
I didn’t use a filtered apple cider. And you can always add a little more pom juice too! 🙂 Let me know how you like it!