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Cozy Spiced Apple Cider Sangria – Best Festive Family Drink

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This cozy spiced apple cider sangria is a warm, comforting drink that brings family and friends together. Made with simple ingredients like red wine, apple cider, and warm spices, it’s perfect for holiday gatherings or a quiet night in.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine, like a Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon
  • 3 cups (710 ml) apple cider, not apple juice (the cloudy, unfiltered kind is best)
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) brandy, or bourbon if that’s what you have
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) maple syrup or honey, to taste
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 4 whole cloves
  • 2 star anise pods (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 large apple, cored and thinly sliced (Honeycrisp or Fuji work great)
  • 1 large orange, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup (75 g) fresh cranberries, or frozen if that’s what you have
  • Optional: 1 pear, thinly sliced, for extra sweetness

Instructions

  1. Wash and core the apple, then slice it into thin rounds, about 1/4 inch thick. Slice the orange the same way. If you’re using a pear, slice that too.
  2. In your large pitcher, pour in the entire bottle of red wine, the apple cider, and the brandy. Stir gently with your wooden spoon to combine.
  3. Drizzle in the maple syrup or honey. Stir again until it’s fully dissolved. Taste it here—if you like things a little sweeter, add another tablespoon.
  4. Drop in the cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and ground nutmeg. Stir one more time.
  5. Gently place the apple slices, orange slices, and cranberries into the pitcher. Use the back of your spoon to press them down slightly so they’re submerged in the liquid.
  6. Cover the pitcher with plastic wrap or a lid and place it in the refrigerator. Let it chill for at least 4 hours, but overnight is even better.
  7. When you’re ready to serve, give the pitcher a gentle stir. Fill glasses with ice, then pour the sangria over the top. Make sure each glass gets some of the fruit.

Notes

Don’t skip the chilling time. The flavors need time to meld together. For a non-alcoholic version, swap the wine for 3 more cups of apple cider and the brandy for a splash of pomegranate juice. For a warm version, gently heat the sangria in a saucepan over medium-low heat until steaming. The sangria keeps in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: sangria, apple cider, spiced, festive, family drink, fall, winter, holiday

Find it online: https://zorbmeal.com/cozy-spiced-apple-cider-sangria-best-festive-family-drink/