Apple Cider Sangria with Cinnamon Refreshing Drink

September 17, 2025 by Charlotte

Ready to sip on something delicious? This Apple Cider Sangria with Cinnamon is the perfect drink for any gathering. I’ll show you how to blend crisp apple cider, fresh fruit, and warm spices into a refreshing delight. Whether you’re hosting a fall party or just relaxing at home, this easy recipe will impress your guests and satisfy your taste buds. Let’s dive into this tasty fall favorite!

Ingredients

List of Ingredients

– 4 cups apple cider

– 1 cup sparkling water (or ginger ale for sweetness)

– 2 medium apples, thinly sliced

– 1 orange, thinly sliced

– 1 lemon, thinly sliced

– 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

– 4-5 whole cloves

– 2 tablespoons honey (optional)

– Fresh mint leaves for garnish

Apple cider is the star of this drink. It brings a crisp, sweet flavor. I like to use a mix of sweet and tart apples. This makes the drink more interesting. Thinly slice the apples, orange, and lemon. This lets their flavors mix well.

Cinnamon gives this sangria warmth. I love using ground cinnamon and whole cloves. They add depth. If you want more sweetness, honey is a great choice. It’s optional, but I often add it.

For a bit of fizz, use sparkling water or ginger ale. This brings a fun sparkle to the drink. Finally, fresh mint leaves make a lovely garnish. They add color and a refreshing taste.

Gather these ingredients, and you’re ready to make a delicious Apple Cider Sangria with Cinnamon.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparation Steps

– Step 1: Combine apple cider, cinnamon, and cloves

Start by pouring 4 cups of apple cider into a large pitcher. Next, add 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon and 4-5 whole cloves. Stir well until the cinnamon blends smoothly with the cider. This step creates a warm, spiced base for your drink.

– Step 2: Add sliced fruits to the mixture

Now, take 2 medium apples, 1 orange, and 1 lemon. Slice them thinly and add them to the pitcher. Gently mix the fruits into the cider. The fruit will infuse the drink with its fresh flavors.

– Step 3: Sweeten with honey if desired

If you like a sweeter drink, add 2 tablespoons of honey. Stir until the honey dissolves completely. This step is optional but adds a nice touch of sweetness.

– Step 4: Add sparkling water before serving

Just before you serve, pour in 1 cup of sparkling water or ginger ale. This adds a fizzy kick that makes the drink refreshing. Stir gently to combine without losing the bubbles.

Fill glasses with ice, pour the chilled mixture over, and garnish with fresh mint leaves. Enjoy a delightful sip of your Apple Cider Sangria with Cinnamon!

Tips & Tricks

Tips for Perfecting the Sangria

– Choosing the right mix of apples: Use both sweet and tart apples. This mix gives your sangria a great balance. I like to use Honeycrisp and Granny Smith. They add flavor and color.

– Adjusting sweetness to taste: You can add honey for extra sweetness. Start with one tablespoon. Taste it, then add more if you like. Remember, the fruit will add some natural sweetness too.

– Serving suggestions for garnish: Fresh mint leaves look nice and add a fresh taste. You can also add extra fruit slices to each glass. This makes it more colorful and fun.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

– Over-mixing the ingredients: Mix gently when adding the fruits. Over-mixing can break them down. You want them to stay pretty and intact in your drink.

– Using flat instead of sparkling water: Always choose sparkling water or ginger ale. This adds fizz and liveliness to your sangria. Flat water will make it dull and less exciting.

Variations

Seasonal Variations

For a twist on classic apple cider sangria, consider using seasonal fruits. In autumn, pears and cranberries work great. Pears add a soft sweetness, while cranberries bring a tart bite. These fruits not only look great but also enhance the flavor profile. You can slice them thin or leave them in chunks for a heartier mix.

You might also want to play with spices. While cinnamon is a favorite, nutmeg offers a warm, creamy note. Star anise adds a hint of licorice, which can surprise your guests. Mixing these spices can make your drink even more unique.

Non-Alcoholic Alternatives

If you want a family-friendly version, skip the alcohol and keep it fun. You can use all apple cider and add sparkling water or ginger ale for fizz. This makes it light and refreshing.

For a lighter option, try using flavored sparkling water. Lemon or berry flavors can enhance the drink without extra sugar. You can also include fresh fruit juices, like orange or lemon, for added zest. This way, everyone can enjoy the taste of autumn in a glass!

Storage Info

How to Store Leftover Sangria

To keep your Apple Cider Sangria fresh, use a glass pitcher or bottle. Glass helps maintain flavor better than plastic. Make sure to seal it tightly. This keeps the fizz from going flat.

When storing, place it in the fridge. Cold temperatures slow down spoilage. If you add fruit, try to eat it within a day or two. The fruit can get mushy over time.

Shelf Life

You can keep Apple Cider Sangria in the fridge for about three days. After that, the taste may change. Always check for signs of spoilage.

If the sangria smells off or has a strange color, it’s best to throw it out. If it tastes too sour or has an odd texture, do not drink it. Keeping an eye on freshness will ensure your drink remains tasty.

FAQs

How long does it take to make Apple Cider Sangria?

Making Apple Cider Sangria takes just 10 minutes. You can whip it up fast. Mix the ingredients, and it’s ready to serve.

Can I make it a day in advance?

Yes, you can make it a day in advance. Just mix the apple cider and spices. Add the fruits on the day you serve it. This keeps the fruits fresh and tasty.

Is it possible to use different fruits?

Absolutely! You can use any fruits you like. Pears, berries, or even peaches work well. Just remember to slice them thin for better flavor.

What can I substitute for apple cider?

If you don’t have apple cider, try using white grape juice. You can also mix apple juice with a bit of lemon juice. This keeps the drink fruity and refreshing.

Apple Cider Sangria combines simple ingredients for a refreshing drink. We included tips for making it perfect and avoiding common errors. You can vary the fruits and spices to suit your taste. Storing sangria correctly helps keep it fresh. Try making this drink for your next gathering. It’s easy and fun! Enjoy the flavors and the smiles it brings.

$- 4 cups apple cider - 1 cup sparkling water (or ginger ale for sweetness) - 2 medium apples, thinly sliced - 1 orange, thinly sliced - 1 lemon, thinly sliced - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon - 4-5 whole cloves - 2 tablespoons honey (optional) - Fresh mint leaves for garnish Apple cider is the star of this drink. It brings a crisp, sweet flavor. I like to use a mix of sweet and tart apples. This makes the drink more interesting. Thinly slice the apples, orange, and lemon. This lets their flavors mix well. Cinnamon gives this sangria warmth. I love using ground cinnamon and whole cloves. They add depth. If you want more sweetness, honey is a great choice. It’s optional, but I often add it. For a bit of fizz, use sparkling water or ginger ale. This brings a fun sparkle to the drink. Finally, fresh mint leaves make a lovely garnish. They add color and a refreshing taste. Gather these ingredients, and you’re ready to make a delicious Apple Cider Sangria with Cinnamon. - Step 1: Combine apple cider, cinnamon, and cloves Start by pouring 4 cups of apple cider into a large pitcher. Next, add 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon and 4-5 whole cloves. Stir well until the cinnamon blends smoothly with the cider. This step creates a warm, spiced base for your drink. - Step 2: Add sliced fruits to the mixture Now, take 2 medium apples, 1 orange, and 1 lemon. Slice them thinly and add them to the pitcher. Gently mix the fruits into the cider. The fruit will infuse the drink with its fresh flavors. - Step 3: Sweeten with honey if desired If you like a sweeter drink, add 2 tablespoons of honey. Stir until the honey dissolves completely. This step is optional but adds a nice touch of sweetness. - Step 4: Add sparkling water before serving Just before you serve, pour in 1 cup of sparkling water or ginger ale. This adds a fizzy kick that makes the drink refreshing. Stir gently to combine without losing the bubbles. Fill glasses with ice, pour the chilled mixture over, and garnish with fresh mint leaves. Enjoy a delightful sip of your Apple Cider Sangria with Cinnamon! - Choosing the right mix of apples: Use both sweet and tart apples. This mix gives your sangria a great balance. I like to use Honeycrisp and Granny Smith. They add flavor and color. - Adjusting sweetness to taste: You can add honey for extra sweetness. Start with one tablespoon. Taste it, then add more if you like. Remember, the fruit will add some natural sweetness too. - Serving suggestions for garnish: Fresh mint leaves look nice and add a fresh taste. You can also add extra fruit slices to each glass. This makes it more colorful and fun. - Over-mixing the ingredients: Mix gently when adding the fruits. Over-mixing can break them down. You want them to stay pretty and intact in your drink. - Using flat instead of sparkling water: Always choose sparkling water or ginger ale. This adds fizz and liveliness to your sangria. Flat water will make it dull and less exciting. {{image_2}} For a twist on classic apple cider sangria, consider using seasonal fruits. In autumn, pears and cranberries work great. Pears add a soft sweetness, while cranberries bring a tart bite. These fruits not only look great but also enhance the flavor profile. You can slice them thin or leave them in chunks for a heartier mix. You might also want to play with spices. While cinnamon is a favorite, nutmeg offers a warm, creamy note. Star anise adds a hint of licorice, which can surprise your guests. Mixing these spices can make your drink even more unique. If you want a family-friendly version, skip the alcohol and keep it fun. You can use all apple cider and add sparkling water or ginger ale for fizz. This makes it light and refreshing. For a lighter option, try using flavored sparkling water. Lemon or berry flavors can enhance the drink without extra sugar. You can also include fresh fruit juices, like orange or lemon, for added zest. This way, everyone can enjoy the taste of autumn in a glass! To keep your Apple Cider Sangria fresh, use a glass pitcher or bottle. Glass helps maintain flavor better than plastic. Make sure to seal it tightly. This keeps the fizz from going flat. When storing, place it in the fridge. Cold temperatures slow down spoilage. If you add fruit, try to eat it within a day or two. The fruit can get mushy over time. You can keep Apple Cider Sangria in the fridge for about three days. After that, the taste may change. Always check for signs of spoilage. If the sangria smells off or has a strange color, it’s best to throw it out. If it tastes too sour or has an odd texture, do not drink it. Keeping an eye on freshness will ensure your drink remains tasty. Making Apple Cider Sangria takes just 10 minutes. You can whip it up fast. Mix the ingredients, and it’s ready to serve. Yes, you can make it a day in advance. Just mix the apple cider and spices. Add the fruits on the day you serve it. This keeps the fruits fresh and tasty. Absolutely! You can use any fruits you like. Pears, berries, or even peaches work well. Just remember to slice them thin for better flavor. If you don’t have apple cider, try using white grape juice. You can also mix apple juice with a bit of lemon juice. This keeps the drink fruity and refreshing. Apple Cider Sangria combines simple ingredients for a refreshing drink. We included tips for making it perfect and avoiding common errors. You can vary the fruits and spices to suit your taste. Storing sangria correctly helps keep it fresh. Try making this drink for your next gathering. It’s easy and fun! Enjoy the flavors and the smiles it brings.$