Ingredients
- Two oranges sliced and two apples cut into wedges
- 750 mL pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc
- 24 ounces apple cider
- 12 ounces caramel vodka
- 6 ounces cinnamon simple syrup
- 4 ounces cinnamon liqueur
- Ice
- Whole cinnamon stick and apple wedge for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pitcher, add cut fruit, pinot grigio, apple cider, caramel vodka, cinnamon simple syrup, and cinnamon liqueur.
- Stir to mix.
- Allow the mixture to chill overnight in the refrigerator or serve immediately.
- Just prior to serving, add ice.
- Pour or ladle into rocks glass or wine glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with cinnamon stick and apple wedge.
Variations and Substitutions
When searching for apple pie recipes, you'll find there are dozens and dozens of ways to prepare them. The same holds true for apple pie sangria, and these are just a few of the delicious options.
- Experiment with different flavors of vodka. Some ideas are salted caramel, vanilla, whipped cream, apple, or even lemon. You can even infuse your vodka with cinnamon, apple, or both to add extra depth to your sangria.
- Instead of cinnamon liqueur, consider a floral liqueur such as St-Germain, or add a firmer bite by using cinnamon whiskey.
- A smooth bourbon makes for a great vodka substitute. You can even infuse your bourbon with apple, cinnamon, or orange to add a boost.
- Substitute vodka with applejack apple brandy.
- Sangria recipes usually do best with drier wines, but you can use a Riesling or chardonnay if you want yours sweeter. Likewise, you can add additional simple syrup, be it cinnamon or plain.
- Add a splash or two of orange liqueur for a citrus flavor. You can include half of a freshly squeezed orange.
Garnishes
Sangria garnishes are all about fresh fruit and emphasizing the flavors that are mingling among the ice in the glass.
- A lemon or orange wheel, wedge, or slice adds not only a pop of color but creates a little extra balance and a soft bouquet.
- If you don't want a ton of citrus but still want a little extra color, consider an orange or lemon ribbon, twist, or peel.
- Carefully peel an apple, creating a spiral that you can pierce with a cocktail pick to hold in place.
- Pair a few garnishes together, such as adding a dehydrated citrus wheel to the apple peel spiral or an orange slice with a cinnamon stick.
About the Apple Pie Sangria
Sangria, traditionally red, has been around for centuries. Born in Spain, sangria has a global appeal that cultures everywhere embrace. Since the 1700s, people have been modifying and stirring up different flavors and styles of sangria, including in England and Greece. But it wouldn't be until the 1900s that the greater population of North America would experience the beauty of sangria. This popularity is all thanks to the 1964 World's Fair, where sangria was a hit among fairgoers, and soon households across the nation would be chattering about the new discovery.
Apple cider sangria is one popular and beloved version of the classic sangria. Unlike traditional sangria, it relies on white wine as the base to provide a soft, crisp background for the apple cider to sparkle. Although the apple cider sangria may be a quintessential flavor and cocktail for autumn, it is more than enjoyable year-round too.
A Sweet Apple Pie Sangria
Skip the struggling of baking a crust from scratch and inevitably burning the edges while the center of your pie remains gooey and, at best, lukewarm. Avoid all of that frustration by enjoying an apple pie sangria. Better yet, it's a lot easier to bring to a party.
