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Best Spiked Apple Cider Sangria for Halloween

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This spiked apple cider sangria is built around fresh apple cider, dry red wine, and bourbon, creating a crisp autumn cocktail that’s perfect for Halloween parties. It comes together in 10 minutes and tastes even better after a few hours in the fridge.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups fresh apple cider (unfiltered if possible)
  • 1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine (Merlot or Tempranillo recommended)
  • 1/2 cup bourbon (Bulleit or Buffalo Trace)
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji), cored and thinly sliced
  • 1 large orange (blood orange for Halloween), thinly sliced and quartered
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries (optional)
  • 3–4 cinnamon sticks
  • 2–3 star anise pods
  • Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish

Instructions

  1. Core and thinly slice 2 apples into rounds or half-moons. Slice 1 orange into thin rounds, then cut each round into quarters. Rinse cranberries if using.
  2. In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup maple syrup (or honey) with 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice. Stir until fully combined.
  3. In a large pitcher, combine 4 cups apple cider, the entire bottle of red wine, and 1/2 cup bourbon. Add the maple syrup and lemon juice mixture. Stir gently with a wooden spoon.
  4. Add sliced apples, orange pieces, cranberries, 3-4 cinnamon sticks, and 2-3 star anise pods. Stir gently to distribute.
  5. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably 4-6 hours or overnight.
  6. About 30 minutes before serving, remove from fridge and let sit at room temperature. Stir gently before serving.
  7. Fill glasses with ice, pour sangria over ice, ensuring each glass gets some fruit and a cinnamon stick. Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig.

Notes

Don’t skip the lemon juice—it balances sweetness and prevents apple browning. Use a dry red wine to avoid a cloyingly sweet drink. For best flavor, let the fruit soak overnight. Stir before serving to redistribute fruit and spices. For a non-alcoholic version, omit wine and bourbon and replace with 2 cups sparkling apple cider or ginger beer plus 1 extra cup regular apple cider.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider sangria, Halloween cocktail, spiked cider, fall sangria, bourbon sangria, party drink

Find it online: https://lenatable.com/best-spiked-apple-cider-sangria-for-halloween/