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Cozy Caramel Apple Sangria: The Best Fall Drink Recipe

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This cozy caramel apple sangria with cinnamon sticks is the perfect fall drink. It’s quick to prepare, uses simple ingredients, and the overnight maceration creates a deep, spiced sweetness that’s like a hug in a glass.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 bottle (750 ml) dry white wine (like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc)
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) apple brandy or Calvados (optional but recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) fresh lemon juice
  • 2 medium Honeycrisp or Fuji apples, cored and thinly sliced
  • 1 medium pear, cored and thinly sliced (optional)
  • 3–4 cinnamon sticks
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) apple cider (unfiltered is best)
  • 1–2 cups (240–480 ml) ginger ale or sparkling apple cider
  • Ice cubes (optional)
  • Extra apple slices and cinnamon sticks for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prep the Fruit (5 minutes): Wash and core 2 medium Honeycrisp apples and 1 pear (if using). Slice them into thin rounds or half-moons, about 1/4-inch thick. Toss them in a bowl with 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice to prevent browning. Set aside.
  2. Warm the Caramel Sauce (1 minute): Measure 1/2 cup of caramel sauce into a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 15-20 seconds until it’s runny and easy to pour. Do not boil it—you just want it slightly warmer than room temperature.
  3. Build the Base (3 minutes): Pour the entire bottle of dry white wine into your large pitcher. Add the warmed caramel sauce, 1/4 cup apple brandy (if using), 1/2 cup apple cider, and the lemon juice from the fruit bowl. Stir gently with a wooden spoon until the caramel is fully dissolved.
  4. Add the Fruit and Spices (2 minutes): Slide the sliced apples and pear into the pitcher. Drop in 3-4 cinnamon sticks. Stir once more to distribute everything evenly.
  5. Chill Overnight (8-12 hours): Cover the pitcher tightly with plastic wrap or a lid. Place it in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours, ideally 12.
  6. Add the Fizz (2 minutes before serving): About 10 minutes before you’re ready to serve, remove the pitcher from the fridge. Give it a gentle stir. Pour in 1-2 cups of ginger ale or sparkling apple cider. Stir once more—gently, so you don’t lose all the bubbles.
  7. Serve and Garnish (3 minutes): Fill glasses or mason jars with ice (optional). Ladle the sangria over the ice, making sure each glass gets some fruit slices and a cinnamon stick. Garnish with a fresh apple slice on the rim and a whole cinnamon stick if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

The overnight chilling is non-negotiable for the best flavor. Warm the caramel sauce slightly before adding to prevent clumping. For a non-alcoholic version, swap wine and brandy for more apple cider and ginger ale. The sangria (without ginger ale) keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: caramel apple sangria, fall sangria, apple sangria, cinnamon sangria, fall drink, apple cider sangria, white wine sangria

Find it online: https://piperplate.com/cozy-caramel-apple-sangria-the-best-fall-drink-recipe/