Apple Cider Sangria with Bourbon

Apple Cider Sangria with Bourbon - This spiced cider cocktail captures the true essence of Fall in every glass, blending the mellow warmth of bourbon with bright notes of a pinot grigio wine and the comforting sweetness of apple cider and maple syrup. There's no better way to welcome the season than with a delightful concoction that embodies the flavors of Fall and can transport your taste buds to a cozy fireside retreat. 

Apple Cider Sangria is the ultimate beverage to elevate your gatherings from apple-picking adventures to Thanksgiving feasts. Embracing the spirit of Fall, apple cider adds a touch of seasonal magic to your cocktails. That's precisely why I'm delighted to share this inviting Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail and the cozy comfort of my Warm Spiked Apple Cider. And, for a delightful twist, why not indulge in a Spice Pumpkin Martini? I've got another great sangria for you as well - Red Wine Sangria.  Each of these libations encapsulates the rich mosaic of flavors that make this season truly special. So, let's raise our glasses to the beauty of Autumn and the irresistible tastes it offers. 

Ingredients for this Apple Cider Sangria Recipe

• Pinot Grigio. This wine is known for its crisp, dry, and light-bodied characteristics that work well in the Apple Cider Sangria. It complements the apple cider's natural sweetness while balancing the richness of the bourbon.
• Bourbon. I chose a Kansas City bourbon from a local distillery, Tom's Town because it's warm and spicy with notes of maple, butterscotch, and honey. A good choice for this sangria would be a mid-range bourbon with a slightly sweet profile.
• Maple Syrup. You want to choose "pure" maple syrup because of its flavor profile with sweet, tart, and caramel notes. Imitation maple syrup is made with corn syrup and other artificial ingredients.
• Apple Cider. Use fresh if at all possible, but if it is store-bought, choose a brand that is unsweetened.
• Thinly Sliced Fresh Fruit. I used a Honeycrisp apple, a navel orange, and a Bartlett pear. These not only add beauty to the presentation but give a distinct depth of fruitiness to the drink. 
• Cinnamon Sticks. These will add a warm and spicy to the sangria which pairs well with the other ingredients. 
• Star Anise. These are pretty potent so you don't need many, two or three in the pitcher. They add a sweet licorice-like flavor to the drink. 
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A quick side note: I don't receive any compensation for giving a shout-out to Tom's Town Bourbon—it's simply a personal favorite of mine. If you're curious to explore further or would like to order their premium distilled spirits, you can visit Tom's Town Distillery by following this link.

How to Make Bourbon Apple Cider Sangria

Pitchers of cocktails are a must-have for any get-together with friends. They're easy to make, easy to share, and always a hit. This sangria is no exception. It takes 10 to 15 minutes to whip up, even with slicing the fruit. Here's how to make it.

• Pour all the ingredients into a three-quart pitcher. With a long bar spoon stir until everything is combined. 
• Thinly slice the fruit and soak the apple and pear in some lemon juice for about two minutes. This helps the fruit to not turn brown.
• Add the sliced apple, orange, and pear along with cinnamon sticks and star anise.
• Chill for two hours.
• Serve in wine glasses with sliced fruit, a cinnamon stick, and star anise. 

What is the difference between Apple Juice and Apple Cider?

Both apple juice and apple cider are made from pressed apples. But there are some definite distinctions between the two.

• Apple Juice is typically pasteurized and filtered. It's heated at a high temperature which prevents the juice from fermenting. It's usually clear in its appearance and a sweet and refreshing drink. 
• Apple Cider is unfiltered and unpasteurized which means it still contains yeast and enzymes from the apples. This gives it a slightly tart flavor and a cloudy appearance. Also, you may notice some sediment at the bottom of the bottle. It is the raw, more pure version of apple juice. Apple cider is a more flavorful and complex drink. 

Can you make this Sangria Ahead of Time?

There are two options for making this Apple Cider Sangria ahead of time: 

1. Prepare the entire recipe with the sliced fruit and spices within two to four hours of serving. Over time, because of exposure to oxygen, the fruit may undergo a little browning. While this doesn't affect the flavor of the sangria, it can impact the visual appeal of the drink. Cover tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to four hours of serving.
2. Prepare the sangria excluding the sliced fruit and spices. This gives you the convenience of making it a day or two before serving. Mix everything together except the fruit and the spices, directly in the pitcher. Cover tightly and store in the refrigerator.  When ready to serve, give it a good stir and add the fruit and spices.

Once you serve this Apple Cider Sangria, make sure and savor the last drop, and let it be a reminder of the shared moments, laughter, and warmth that accompanied its presence. With each glass, it brings a touch of Autumn's magic making memories even sweeter. So here's to the seasons that change and the memories that last, all crafted around a pitcher of delight. Cheers to the joys of life, best shared over the clink of glasses and the lingering taste of splendid sangria. 

More Fall Festive Cocktail Recipes

Red Wine Sangria

Warm Spiked Apple Cider

Apple Cider Cocktail with Bourbon

Spiced Pumpkin Martini with Vodka

Homemade Spiked Eggnog

Bourbon Smash with Peaches

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Apple Cider Sangria with Bourbon

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5 from 2 reviews

Apple Cider Sangria with Bourbon - This spiced cider cocktail captures the true essence of Fall in every glass, blending the mellow warmth of bourbon with bright notes of a pinot grigio wine and the comforting sweetness of apple cider and maple syrup.

• Author: Kristy Murray
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
• Category: Cocktails

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• One Bottle Pinot Grigio
• ⅔ cup Bourbon
• 3 ounces Pure Maple Syrup
• 2 cups Apple Cider
• One Honeycrisp Apple, thinly sliced
• One Navel Orange, thinly sliced
• One Bartlett Pear, thinly sliced
• 5 or 6 Cinnamon Sticks
• 2 or 3 Star Anise
• Extra Cinnamon Sticks and Star Anise for garnishment in glass

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Instructions

• In a three-quart pitcher, pour one bottle of Pinot Grigio, and ⅔ cup bourbon, 3 ounces pure maple syrup, and 2 cups apple cider. With a long bar spoon stir until everything is combined.
• Thinly slice one Honeycrisp apple, one navel orange, and one Barlett Pear. Soak the apple and pear in some lemon juice for about two minutes. This helps the fruit to not turn brown.
• Add the sliced apple, orange, and pear along with 5 or 6 cinnamon sticks and  2 or 3 star anise.
• Chill for two hours.
• Serve in wine glasses with extra sliced fruit, a cinnamon stick, and star anise.
• Cheers!

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6 servings
• Calories: 256
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 22 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 0 g

Keywords: apple cider sangria, apple cider sangria recipe, recipe for apple cider sangria