Ingredients:
Fruit:
- 1 large Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apple, cored and diced
- 1 orange, sliced into thin rounds
- 1 pear, cored and diced (optional)
- ½ cup cranberries (fresh or frozen)
Liquors:
- ½ cup brandy (apple brandy like Calvados is excellent if you have it)
- 1 bottle (750ml) dry white wine (Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or other unoaked varieties)
Cider:
- 2-3 (12oz) cans or bottles of crisp hard apple cider (like Angry Orchard)
Sparkler:
- 1 bottle (750 ml) Prosecco, Cava, or other dry sparkling wine
Sweetener (optional):
- ¼ cup honey or simple syrup
Garnishes:
- Cinnamon sticks
- Fresh apple slices
Instructions:
- Prep the fruit: Dice the apples and pear, slice the orange, and add them to a large pitcher along with the cranberries.
- Combine the base: Pour the brandy and white wine over the fruit. Add a cinnamon stick or two for extra warmth.
- Chill: Refrigerate the mixture for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight. This allows the flavors to infuse beautifully.
- Sweeten (optional): Before serving, taste the sangria. If you’d like it sweeter, stir in honey or simple syrup to your desired level of sweetness.
- Add the fizz: Just before serving, add the hard apple cider and the bottle of sparkling wine. Stir gently to combine.
- Serve: Fill glasses with ice and pour the sangria. Garnish each glass with fresh apple slices and a cinnamon stick.
Tips:
- Get creative with fruit: Add other seasonal fruits like pomegranate arils, sliced peaches, or raspberries.
- Spice it up: For a mulled-cider vibe, add a few whole cloves and star anise to the mix while it chills.
- Adjust the sweetness: The sweetness depends on your cider and wine. Start without added sweeteners, then taste and adjust.
- Make ahead: Prepare the sangria base (up to step 4) a day in advance for even more developed flavor.
Enjoy your refreshing and festive Sparkling Hard Apple Cider Sangria!
