Description
A cozy, spiced autumn cocktail made with red wine, seasonal fruits like apples and pears, and warm spices. This easy-to-make sangria is perfect for hosting or enjoying on a quiet night.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 bottle (750ml) dry red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot)
- 1 cup (240ml) orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
- 1/2 cup (120ml) brandy or cognac
- 2 medium apples (mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp), cored and sliced into wedges
- 2 medium pears (Bosc or Anjou), sliced into wedges
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 2–3 cinnamon sticks (lightly crushed)
- 2–3 pieces star anise
- 1 orange, sliced into thin rounds
- 1 cup (240ml) sparkling water or ginger ale
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Wash all fruit thoroughly. Core and slice apples and pears into thin, even wedges. Slice oranges into thin rounds. Rinse cranberries if fresh.
- In the bottom of a large pitcher, place cinnamon sticks and star anise. Gently crush cinnamon sticks to release oils. Add cranberries and gently press to burst them slightly.
- Add sliced apples, pears, and orange slices to the pitcher on top of the spices.
- Pour in red wine, orange juice, and brandy. Stir gently to ensure fruit is submerged.
- Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally 8-12 hours (overnight) to allow flavors to meld.
- Just before serving, give the sangria a gentle stir. Add sparkling water or ginger ale.
- Taste and adjust sweetness if needed. Serve over ice in large wine glasses or highball glasses, garnished with fruit slices and cinnamon sticks.
Notes
Chill the wine before starting. The sangria improves with time, so making it the night before is recommended. Do not freeze the sangria as the fruit texture will become mushy. The soaked fruit can be eaten as a dessert afterward. For a non-alcoholic version, substitute wine with grape juice or black tea and brandy with vanilla extract.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Cocktails
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 18
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 1
Keywords: fall sangria, autumn drinks, cozy cocktail, red wine sangria, seasonal recipes, gluten-free cocktail, easy party drinks