Crisp, cinnamon-kissed fall pitcher for parties, easy, cute cocktail you can batch fast
Stir fresh apple cider with wine, brandy, and real fruit for a bright autumn sip that looks gorgeous on a drink board and scales effortlessly for a crowd.
Why You’ll Love It
- Built for fall parties: A no-cook pitcher perfect for Food for Autumn Party and Fall Drink Party spreads.
- Real fall flavor: Fresh cider, orange, and cinnamon keep it vibrant—not overly sweet—so it reads as a true Fall Drink Recipes Alcoholic option.
- Flexible for any crowd: Switch to a Fall Cocktail Mocktail by swapping NA wine or sparkling cider.
- Night-friendly sipper: Lower ABV than straight cocktails, great for Drinks For Night Time gatherings.
- Pretty without effort: Colorful fruit + cinnamon sticks = Easy Cute Cocktail Recipes guests love to photograph.
Ingredients (notes only)
- Dry white wine (750 ml): Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc keeps things crisp; red works for a cozier vibe.
- Fresh apple cider (2 cups): Unfiltered for body; this is your Apple Cider Recipe Alcoholic base.
- Brandy (½ cup): Classic sangria backbone; spiced rum is a fun swap.
- Orange liqueur (¼ cup): Balances cider’s sweetness.
- Maple syrup (0–3 Tbsp): Optional; adjust to your cider and taste.
- Fruit: 1 honeycrisp apple, 1 pear, 1 orange (half sliced, half juiced), handful cranberries.
- Cinnamon sticks + star anise (optional): Warm spice cue.
- Club soda (1–2 cups, optional): Add at serve for lift.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Chop & build: Add apple and pear chunks, orange slices, cranberries, and 2 cinnamon sticks to a large pitcher.
- Pour: Add wine, apple cider, brandy, orange liqueur, and orange juice from the remaining half orange. Stir.
- Sweeten to taste: Start with no maple; add 1–3 Tbsp only if your cider is tart.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate 1–4 hours (up to 24 hours).
- Serve: Top with club soda just before pouring. Ladle fruit into each glass.
- Garnish: Fresh apple fan and an extra cinnamon stick.
Pro Tips
- Balance before bubbles: Taste after chilling; fruit infuses sweetness. Add maple last.
- Keep fruit pretty: Toss apple and pear in a teaspoon of lemon juice to slow browning.
- Don’t over-spice: Whole spices are potent—2 sticks per pitcher is plenty.
- Batch smarter: Pre-chill bottles so you need less ice (less dilution).
- Red wine option: Use Rioja or Pinot Noir; increase orange liqueur to ⅓ cup.
Variations
- Cranberry Apple Cider Sangria: Add 1 cup 100% cranberry juice + extra cranberries (Fall Ingredients, Fall Wine Night Ideas).
- Apple Butter Sangria: Whisk ¼ cup apple butter with cider before adding (Easy Cute Cocktail Recipes texture boost).
- Spiced Rum Sangria: Replace brandy with spiced rum for a cozier Fall Drink Recipes Alcoholic profile.
- Mocktail Pitcher: NA white wine or sparkling cider + NA orange aperitif; skip brandy (Fall Cocktail Mocktail).
How to Serve
Build a mini drink board with sliced apples, cinnamon sticks, and citrus. Pair the pitcher beside savory, crowd-friendly bites like Cheesy Root Vegetable Gratin and warm Soft Sourdough Dinner Rolls. If you want a second seasonal sip, set out an Apple Cider Margarita. For dessert, small squares of Pecan Pie seal the fall vibe.
Make Ahead & Storage
- Make ahead: Mix everything except club soda up to 24 hours ahead; remove citrus slices after 8–12 hours to avoid bitterness.
- Fridge: Keeps 2 days without soda; fruit softens by day 2.
- Freezer: Not ideal once mixed; you can freeze cider + fruit as ice cubes.
- Leftovers: Strain fruit, re-balance with a splash of fresh cider or OJ.
FAQs
What wine is best?
Dry, crisp whites (Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc) or a light red (Pinot Noir, Rioja) for a cozier style.
Can I make it less sweet?
Use unsweetened cider and skip maple. Add fresh lemon juice for extra snap.
How big is a pitcher?
This recipe yields ~8–10 drinks (5–6 oz pours). Double for Fall Cocktails For A Crowd.
Can I use sparkling cider?
Yes—stir it in right before serving and skip the club soda.
Simple Nutrition Table (estimate, per 6 oz pour)
| Calories | Carbs | Sugar | Fat | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ~190 | ~16 g | ~13 g | 0 g | ~5 mg |
Simple Apple Cider Sangria (5-Minute Pitcher)
An easy, crisp apple cider sangria with dry white wine, brandy, and fresh fruit. Perfect for fall gatherings — make it ahead, chill, and top with bubbles when serving.
Ingredients
- 1 bottle (750 ml) dry white wine (Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc)
- 2 cups fresh apple cider (unfiltered)
- ½ cup brandy (or spiced rum)
- ¼ cup orange liqueur (Cointreau or triple sec)
- 0–3 Tbsp maple syrup, to taste
- 1 honeycrisp apple, chopped
- 1 ripe pear, chopped
- 1 orange, half sliced and half juiced
- ½ cup fresh cranberries
- 2 cinnamon sticks (plus more for serving)
- 1–2 cups club soda or sparkling water, to top
Equipment
- large pitcher
- stirring spoon
- Cutting board and knife
- measuring cups
- serving glasses
Method
- Add chopped apple, pear, orange slices, cranberries, and cinnamon sticks to a large pitcher.
- Pour in wine, apple cider, brandy, orange liqueur, and juice from the remaining half orange. Stir gently to combine.
- Sweeten to taste with maple syrup. Cover and chill 1–4 hours (up to 24 hours for deeper flavor).
- Just before serving, add club soda or sparkling water. Pour into ice-filled glasses, spooning in fruit for garnish.
Nutrition
Calories: 190kcalCarbohydrates: 16gSodium: 5mgPotassium: 80mgSugar: 13gVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 0.2mg
Notes
Red Wine Version: Use Rioja or Pinot Noir and increase orange liqueur to ⅓ cup.
Cranberry Version: Add 1 cup 100% cranberry juice.
Apple Butter Version: Whisk ¼ cup apple butter with cider before mixing.
Mocktail: Replace wine with NA white wine or sparkling apple cider, omit brandy/orange liqueur, and add a few dashes of orange bitters (NA).
Chill up to 24 hours; add bubbles right before serving for best fizz.
Cranberry Version: Add 1 cup 100% cranberry juice.
Apple Butter Version: Whisk ¼ cup apple butter with cider before mixing.
Mocktail: Replace wine with NA white wine or sparkling apple cider, omit brandy/orange liqueur, and add a few dashes of orange bitters (NA).
Chill up to 24 hours; add bubbles right before serving for best fizz.
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