Apple Cider Sangria

This apple cider sangria is an easy pitcher cocktail made with red wine, apples, cider, and Grand Marnier. Adjust the sweetness to your preference!

Sangria is one of those drinks that's usually linked with summer. Fruity and cold, it's the perfect pitcher cocktail for sunny days and hanging out with friends.

But it doesn't have to be just a one-season drink! You can turn it into a versatile beverage that shows off whatever fruit is available.

I like a cranberry orange sangria for the winter months. And in the fall apples and pears (and bourbon!) are a great add-in.

This apple cider sangria is perfect for fall, and keeps things simple with only four ingredients and very easy prep.

What Kind of Wine Should I Use?

Pick a fruity red wine for this sangria.

I like using Garnacha, a dry Spanish wine that's bursting with red fruit flavors, but some other good options are Pinot Noir, Malbec or Syrah.

What Kind of Apples Are Best?

Sangria is an excellent way to use up apples that are just a little bit beyond ripe. So if they're not at peak crunchiness for eating, you can still add them to this drink.

I like to use a dry (but still fruity) wine, and balance the flavor with sweet apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji or Gala.

How to Make Apple Cider Sangria

Start with diced apple pieces, about four apples' worth (or less, if the apples are large). Add the apples to a large pitcher.

Next, pour in the cider and the Grand Marnier.

Then add the red wine. (For opening the wine bottle, I'm a fan of this vertical lever corkscrew.) Give everything in the pitcher a good stir, and then refrigerate it for several hours.

Prefer your sangria a bit sweeter? Just add more cider until you're happy with the taste! Serve it chilled straight from the refrigerator, and enjoy.

This sangria can also be a great Mason jar cocktail. We've enjoyed it as a camping apple sangria with friends around the campfire!