This post contains affiliate links. See our disclosure policy here.
Cocktail History
The Fall Sangria is a Sips From Scripts original cocktail that was created in 2023. The recipe is based on several other popular sangrias that call for either fruits, citrus, or baking spices, but this version blends them all together to create an autumnal, fruity wine drink fit for fall gatherings.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Red Wine: This is a type of wine made with red grapes. We used Melipal Ikella Malbec Mendoza because it has a semi-dry flavor. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Karuna Karviva Unwined Non-Alcoholic Malbec-Inspired Wine in place of the red wine.
Apple Cider: This is a beverage made with freshly pressed apple juice and baking spices. We used The Glass Orchard Apple Cider because it’s fresh, delicious, and made locally to us.
Apple Brandy: This is a type of brandy made with apples, pears, spices, sugar, and alcohol. We used Calvados because it’s a high-quality apple-flavored brandy with notes of pear, apricot, and baking spices. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Escape Mocktails Non-Alcoholic Cognac Alternative and apple cider in place of the apple brandy.
Apple: This is a red fruit with a mealy texture. We used a Honeycrisp apple.
Bartlett Pear: This is a type of bell-shaped fruit that has a green-ish yellow skin and juicy, smooth flesh with a sweet flavor.
Orange: This is a citrus with orange skin and juicy, sweet flesh.
Cranberries: This is a small red fruit. We used fresh cranberries.
Sugar: This is a sweet-tasting, soluble carbohydrate. We used C&H Pure Cane Granulated Sugar.
Ground Cinnamon: This is a spice. We used Simply Organic Ground Cinnamon.
Whole Cloves: This is the flower bud from the clove tree. We used whole cloves from the bulk section at our local grocery store.
Cinnamon Stick: This is a dried spice that has been rolled into a stick. We used cinnamon sticks from the bulk section at our local grocery store.
Rosemary: This is an herb. We used fresh rosemary from our herb garden.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Apple Corer: This is used to core and slice apples. We used the OXO Good Grips Apple Corer, Slicer, & Divider.
Paring Knife: This is used to cut ingredients. We used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.
Chef’s Knife: This is used to cut larger fruits and vegetables into slices. We used the OXO Good Grips 8-Inch Chef’s Knife.
Muddler: This is used to muddle ingredients. We used the HQY Stainless Steel Cocktail Muddler.
Pitcher: This is used to hold ingredients. We used the Libbey 60 oz Glass Pitcher.
Spoon: This is used to stir the ingredients. We used the OXO Good Grips Silicone Spoon.
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. We used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Bar Spoon: This is used to stir ingredients. We used the Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon.
Tasting Notes
The Fall Sangria has aromas of citrus and woodsy rosemary, a taste that features the cider’s sweet apple flavor abundantly at first before giving way to a fruity and spicy mix, and a finish with dry red wine notes accented with more spice.
Our Opinion of This Cocktail Recipe: The blend of red wine and apple cider in this version of Fall Sangria was interesting. We thought the two didn’t quite mingle but rather complemented each other separately. If you’re looking for a great sangria that captures the flavors of fall, this one’s likely to be a surefire hit with family and friends.
Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.
Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.
Alex’s Take: ⭐⭐⭐
“Sangrias hold a special place in my heart, as does autumn, and this sangria does a good job of doing both justice. In the original recipe we found, the wine was cut with fruit and cider but had no other additives, and after trying a glass, we decided that at least an ounce or more of Calvados per glass was just the thing to make it better. We were right; the fortification added by the spirit gave the sangria some much-needed body, and it even balanced the sweetness of everything else back out. If you can’t find Calvados or Applejack, then regular brandy will do. This season, when you’re looking for a fall-inspired drink for a chilly patio party, this is it.”—
Kendall’s Take: ⭐⭐⭐
“It’s been a really long time since I’ve had sangria. Now that I think about it, I don’t think I’ve enjoyed a glass since Alex made me a batch the first day we met. I used to be a really big fan of peach sangria specifically, so I was intrigued by a fall version. I have to be honest, I didn’t really love the way red wine and apple cider tasted together but agreed with Alex that the apple brandy made it better. The wine comes through, but it was almost as if the apple watered everything down until that was added. If maybe a sweeter red wine was used, this would be better to me, but ultimately, I don’t think I’d go through the hassle of making it again unless it was for a party.”
Recipe
Thinly slice apple, pear, and orange and add slices to a pitcher.
Add cranberries to pitcher, muddle gently for 3-5 seconds, and mix with other fruit.
Add sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and red wine to pitcher.
Stir for 20-30 seconds, then refrigerate for 2-3 hours.
Add cubed ice to a stemless wine glass.
Add 1 ¼ oz apple cider and 1 oz apple brandy to wine glass.
Pour sangria over top, then stir for 5-7 seconds.
Garnish with cinnamon stick and rosemary sprig.
Ingredients
Directions
Thinly slice apple, pear, and orange and add slices to a pitcher.
Add cranberries to pitcher, muddle gently for 3-5 seconds, and mix with other fruit.
Add sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and red wine to pitcher.
Stir for 20-30 seconds, then refrigerate for 2-3 hours.
Add cubed ice to a stemless wine glass.
Add 1 ¼ oz apple cider and 1 oz apple brandy to wine glass.
Pour sangria over top, then stir for 5-7 seconds.
Garnish with cinnamon stick and rosemary sprig.
Make It a Mocktail: Use Karuna Karviva Unwined Non-Alcoholic Malbec-Inspired Wine in place of the red wine and Escape Mocktails Non-Alcoholic Cognac Alternative and apple cider in place of the apple brandy to try a booze-free version of this drink.
Shop Glassware & Tools
Find collections of cocktail glassware and bartending tools we recommend for your home bar in our Amazon shop.
More Wine Cocktails
If you like this wine-based cocktail recipe, here are a few others we’ve tried that you may enjoy:
Red Queen: A red wine and bourbon cocktail made with lemon juice, simple syrup, Amaro Braulio, lemon wheels, sage, thyme, and rosemary
New York Sour: A bourbon cocktail made with red wine, lemon juice, and simple syrup
American Beauty: A brandy and wine cocktail made with dry vermouth, orange juice, grenadine, white crème de menthe, and rose petals
Mountaintop Meadow: A vodka cocktail made with elderflower liqueur, simple syrup, lavender bitters, dry sparkling wine, a pineapple wedge, and mint
This post contains affiliate links, meaning we make a small commission each time you purchase a product using our links. Product images sourced from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon affiliate links last updated on 2024-04-27.
