Create a festive Sparkling Apple Cider Sangria perfect for winter gatherings. This punch mixes bright apple cider with seasonal fruit and sparkling wine for a celebratory drink.
Author:Jen Rwanda
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:0 minutes
Total Time:15 minutes
Yield:6-8 servings
Category:Beverage
Method:Punch/Maceration
Cuisine:American/Seasonal
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 large bottle (750ml) dry sparkling wine, chilled
2 cups apple cider, chilled
1 cup brandy or dark rum
1 orange, thinly sliced
1 apple (like Honeycrisp or Fuji), cored and thinly sliced
1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
1 cinnamon stick
Optional: 1/4 cup maple syrup or simple syrup for added sweetness
Instructions
In a large pitcher, combine the sliced orange, sliced apple, cranberries, and cinnamon stick.
Pour the brandy or rum over the fruit. Let it macerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours, in the refrigerator. This allows the fruit to absorb the liquor.
When ready to serve, gently pour in the chilled apple cider. Stir lightly.
Slowly add the chilled sparkling wine. Stir very gently just once or twice to combine without losing the bubbles.
Taste the sangria. If you desire more sweetness, add the optional maple syrup now and stir carefully.
Serve immediately in wine glasses or festive tumblers, making sure each serving gets some of the fruit.
Notes
Choose a dry sparkling wine like Prosecco or Cava so the sweetness comes from the cider.
You can substitute the brandy with bourbon for a different warm flavor profile.
Prepare the fruit and liquor mixture ahead of time, but only add the sparkling wine right before serving.
Nutrition
Serving Size:1 glass
Calories:Estimate based on wine/cider/liquor content