Sparkling Apple Cider Sangria Recipe

This refreshing sparkling apple cider sangria recipe is made from seasonal fruit, your favorite wine, and a bottle of champagne. It is fresh, light, and a perfect fit for any fun get-together this holiday season.

If you prefer to have an alcohol-free version of this delicious Christmas sangria recipe, substitute wine and champagne for non-alcoholic products. White cranberry, grape juice, and sparkling cider all work to give you a mock-tail without compromising the incredible flavor.

RELATED READING: Pair This Sangria with a Rich Caramel Apple Cupcake

Sangria Recipe With Apple Cider

Here are Ruffles and Rain Boots, we love the fall and winter seasons but they’re so busy. Having a simple drink recipe like this sangria with apple cider makes that holiday load a little lighter.

What is sangria you ask? It is an alcoholic drink that hails from Spain and Portugal. Typically this drink is made with citrus fruits and red wine. Because this recipe is so versatile, you can customize it with your favorite mixers and still have a winning beverage.

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Tips for Making a Sparkling Sangria

• A dry fruity wine is best used for a true sangria. Although a red like Pinot Noir is the traditional choice, a white wine like the Pinot Grigio we used is a welcome twist on the traditional recipe. You can also use a chardonnay or sauvignon blanc, which are both dry, white grape wines.
• Fresh juicy fruits like oranges and grapes are typically used in sangria, but seasonal fruits like kiwi, mango, and pomegranate are also a great choice. I cannot wait to try this summer sangria recipe!
• The traditional recipe for sangria calls for either brandy or orange juice as mixers, but red, purple, or white grape juices or a sweet pineapple juice would also pair beautifully.
• If you opt for a sparkling wine to add bubbles to the sangria rather than champagne, Prosecco is a great substitute.

Ingredients for the Sparkling Apple Cider Sangria Recipe

Below are the ingredients I used, but check your stash and see what you have on hand. If you need ideas on what to use for this sangria recipe, read the tips above for several suggestions.

• Water
• Sugar
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Cardamom
• Allspice
• Granny Smith apple
• Red delicious apple
• Cranberries
• Cinnamon stick
• Simple syrup (see recipe below)
• Unsweetened apple cider
• Riesling or Pinot Grigio wine
• Sparkling Wine or Brut Champagne chilled
• Cinnamon sugar for garnish

How to Make a Christmas Sangria for Holiday Parties

Each step for this recipe is detailed below so it’s easy to follow. Keep this page open while you are creating your sparkling sangria. If you would rather have a printable recipe, just scroll down and select the print button.

How to Make a Spiced Simple Syrup

First, we need to make the simple syrup. For this recipe, we used 1 cup of sugar, 1 cup of water, as well as ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon of cardamom, and ⅛ teaspoon of allspice.

Combine the ingredients in a small pan and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and transfer to a heat-safe container and allow to cool in the fridge until ready to use.

How to Make Sparkling Apple Cider Sangria

And now, let’s put it all together. By the way, this winter sangria recipe looks AMAZING in a clear pitcher – it’s beautiful on a buffet or holiday table.

Add the fresh cranberries, red delicious, Granny Smith apples, and one cinnamon stick to a large drink pitcher.

Grab the chilled simple syrup from the fridge and add 1/2 cup of it to the pitcher. Next, add the apple cider and dry white wine. Mix until well combined.

Place the pitcher in the fridge and chill until you are ready to serve. It is recommended to chill no more than 6 hours to keep the fruit from turning brown or wilting.

When ready to serve, mix in the champagne or sparkling wine. Add a cinnamon sugar rim to the glasses and pour the sparkling apple cider sangria. Add a cinnamon stick garnish and enjoy.

Notes for Making a Fruit Sangria

• We used a number of spices in our simple syrup to give it a seasonal flavor. If you prefer a more subtle taste, leave out the spices and use equal parts of sugar and water.
• If you want to add a layer of divine flavor to this recipe, add some fresh ground ginger to the simple syrup.
• For a sweeter flavor and a fun twist on this recipe, substitute brown sugar for white sugar, both in the recipe and the garnish for the rims of the glasses.

More Beverage Recipes You May Enjoy

• Make This Decadent Gingerbread Cupcake – Put together this tasty gingerbread treat for the holiday dessert table and no one will be disappointed!
• Homemade Hot Cocoa – So Easy the Kids Can Make It – This rich and thick hot cocoa is made for snuggle weather. You will beam with pride when you watch your little ones make this delicious drink all by themselves.
• This Orange Creamsicle Milkshake is a Dreamy, Creamy Treat – This orange smoothie recipe is addictive! Whip it up in minutes and make this nostalgic treat (whipped cream is the perfect topper).

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