This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
This easy Apple Pie Sangria is truly apple pie in a glass! It’s made with red wine, fresh apple cider, whiskey, orange liqueur, crisp apples, and warm apple pie spice. It’s refreshing, lightly spiced, and one of my favorite pitcher cocktails to make for fall.
Pin this now to find it later
Pin ItI originally created this recipe years ago, but recently went back and made it again and gave it a little update. I thinly slice the apples now instead of cutting them into chunks, use whiskey in place of brandy, add a little more orange liqueur, and let everything infuse together in the refrigerator before serving it over ice. I LOVE this version.
And the best thing about sangria is that it’s incredibly forgiving. Want a little more wine? Add it. More apple cider? Go for it. Prefer brandy over whiskey? That works too. This is the kind of cocktail you can taste and adjust until it’s exactly how you like it!
If you love sangria recipes, try my Fall Sangria, White Wine Sangria, or Black Sangria next. You can also browse all of my fall cocktails for more seasonal drink ideas.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Pie Sangria
It really tastes like fall. Fresh apple cider, apples, apple pie spice, orange, and red wine give it that cozy apple pie flavor without making the sangria feel heavy.
It’s an easy pitcher cocktail. Everything goes right into the pitcher, which makes this such a simple drink for entertaining.
It’s refreshing. Even with all of those warm fall spices, this is still a chilled, fresh sangria.
You can make it ahead. It needs at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator anyway, so you can have it ready before guests arrive.
It’s forgiving. Sangria doesn’t need to be overly precise. Taste it after it chills and add more cider, wine, or whiskey to make it your own.
Apple Pie Sangria Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy fall sangria:
Red Apple: I prefer the apples very thinly sliced. They look beautiful in the pitcher and are much easier to serve than large chunks.
Apple Pie Spice: This is what gives the sangria its apple pie flavor. If you don’t have apple pie spice, cinnamon with a little nutmeg works too.
Sugar: Just one tablespoon adds a touch of sweetness and helps balance the wine.
Fresh Orange Juice: Fresh citrus brightens everything up and balances the sweeter apple flavors.
Whiskey: I love whiskey in this updated version. It pairs so well with apples and warm spices. You can absolutely use brandy instead if you prefer a more traditional sangria.
Fresh-Pressed Apple Cider: Use a good apple cider because you’ll really taste it in this recipe.
Orange Liqueur: Two tablespoons add sweetness and another layer of citrus flavor. Triple sec or Cointreau both work.
Red Wine: You don’t need an expensive bottle for sangria. Choose a dry, fruity red wine that you enjoy drinking.
Sparkling Apple Cider: This adds apple flavor, a little sweetness, and some sparkle.
Cinnamon Sticks: I add two right to the pitcher while the sangria infuses.
The Best Red Wine for Apple Sangria
You do NOT need to use an expensive bottle of wine for sangria. Since we’re adding fruit, cider, whiskey, spices, and orange liqueur, save the special bottle for another night.
Grenache and Tempranillo are both great choices. A Spanish Rioja also works beautifully here.
The most important thing is to use a wine you actually enjoy drinking. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but it should taste good on its own.
How to Make Apple Pie Sangria
- Slice the apple. Thinly slice half of a red apple.
- Add everything to the pitcher. Add the sliced apple, apple pie spice, sugar, fresh orange juice, whiskey, apple cider, orange liqueur, red wine, sparkling apple cider, and cinnamon sticks to a large pitcher.
- Stir. Give everything a really good stir to combine.
- Let it infuse. Place the pitcher in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This gives the apples and spices time to flavor the sangria.
- Add ice and serve. When you’re ready to serve, add ice to the pitcher and pour into glasses.
Eden’s Tips
Thinly slice the apples. I used to make this recipe with apple chunks, but after making it again, I much prefer thin slices. They infuse beautifully, look prettier in the pitcher, and are easier to pour into a glass.
Give it time to infuse. I recommend at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator before serving. You want the apple, citrus, cinnamon, and wine to have a little time together.
Taste it before serving. This recipe is truly forgiving. If you want it lighter or sweeter, add more apple cider. Want more wine? Pour some in. Want a stronger whiskey flavor? Add another splash.
Add the ice before serving. Let the sangria chill and infuse without ice so it doesn’t become watered down. Add ice when you’re ready to serve.
Start with cold ingredients. Chilled wine and cider help the sangria get cold faster without relying on ice.
Apple Pie Sangria FAQs
Yes. The original version of my Apple Pie Sangria was made with brandy, and it works beautifully. I prefer whiskey in my updated version because I love the way it tastes with apple cider and warm spices, but either works.
If you don’t have apple pie spice, use cinnamon with a little nutmeg. Those two spices give the sangria the warm apple pie flavor we’re looking for.
Absolutely. One of the things I love about this recipe is how easy it is to adjust. Add more fresh apple cider if you want a lighter, fruitier sangria.
Yes! Sangria actually benefits from a little time in the refrigerator because it gives the fruit and spices time to infuse.
You can prepare the sangria before your gathering and keep it chilled in the refrigerator. Don’t add the ice until you’re ready to serve so it doesn’t become diluted.
Give the pitcher a good stir before serving and taste it. You can always add another splash of wine or cider before bringing it out.
For this recipe, give it at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator before serving. That gives the apples, citrus, cinnamon, and spices time to infuse into the wine.
Yes. Keep the sangria refrigerated while it infuses and until you’re ready to serve it. I like to add the ice right before serving.
I recommend a dry, fruit-forward red wine such as Grenache or Tempranillo. Rioja is also a great choice. You don’t need an expensive bottle, but use a wine that tastes good enough to drink on its own.
Yes, and that’s one of the reasons I love sangria. Add a little more whiskey or wine if you want it stronger, or add more apple cider if you want it lighter and fruitier. Taste it after it has chilled and adjust it to your liking.
When to Serve Apple Pie Sangria
This is one of those cocktails I start making as soon as fall arrives. It still feels refreshing when the weather is warm, but the apple cider and spices give you all of those cozy fall flavors.
I especially love it for a pumpkin carving party, Halloween gatherings, Thanksgiving, fall dinner parties, and casual weekends at home.
For Thanksgiving, you can serve it alongside a simple cheese board or appetizers and have the entire pitcher ready before everyone arrives.
More Fall Cocktail Recipes
You can also browse all of my fall cocktails and apple cider cocktails for even more seasonal drink ideas.
If you make this Apple Pie Sangria, let me know what you think in the comments! I love hearing when you make my recipes, especially the older Sugar & Charm favorites that I’ve gone back and given a little refresh.
My new Entertaining book is here! Order Now!
Apple Pie Sangria Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 large red apple, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, to sprinkle on top
- 1/4 cup whiskey , or brandy
- 1/2 cup apple cider
- 2 tbsp orange liquor
- 1/2 bottle red wine, chilled, used either a table red, Grenache from Rioja, Spain
- 1 cup sparkling apple cider, I used this one
- 3 large cinnamon sticks
Instructions
- Thinly slice half of a red apple.
- Add the sliced apple, apple pie spice, sugar, orange juice, whiskey, fresh apple cider, orange liqueur, red wine, sparkling apple cider, and cinnamon sticks to a large pitcher.
- Stir well to combine.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the fruit and spices to infuse into the sangria.
- When you're ready to serve, add ice to the pitcher, stir, and pour into glasses.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
