Fall Sangria

by | Sep 5, 2025 | Cocktail Recipes, Holiday Cocktails, Seasonal Cocktails

Fall Sangria cocktail in a wine glass with deep red sangria, apple slices, orange slices, and cinnamon stick garnish on a marble bar top with blurred autumn background

Our crowd-pleasing Fall Sangria recipe blends dry red wine, fresh apple cider, brandy, and seasonal fruit. We first poured this at a Friendsgiving on Long Island—by the end of the night, the pitcher was empty and the cinnamon sticks were gone. Bold, fruity, and spiced just right for autumn gatherings.

About This Fall Sangria

This pitcher cocktail marries red wine sangria with fall flavors—apple cider, oranges, pears, cinnamon, and a splash of brandy. The secret? Time. Let it chill for hours (or overnight) so the fruit infuses and the flavors meld.

Pro link: Stocking up for a party? Use our Alcohol Shopping List Calculator to plan bottles by guest count.

Ingredients

  • 1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine (Merlot, Pinot Noir, or Tempranillo)
  • 2 cups fresh apple cider
  • 1/2 cup brandy
  • 1/4 cup orange liqueur (Cointreau or triple sec)
  • 2 apples, thinly sliced
  • 1 orange, thinly sliced
  • 1 pear, thinly sliced
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 1–2 Tbsp maple syrup or honey (optional, to taste)
  • Club soda or ginger beer, for topping

Steps

  1. Prep fruit. Slice apples, orange, and pear. Add to a large pitcher.
  2. Mix base. Pour in red wine, apple cider, brandy, orange liqueur, and add cinnamon sticks.
  3. Sweeten. Stir in maple syrup or honey if desired.
  4. Chill. Refrigerate at least 4 hours (overnight preferred).
  5. Serve. Pour into ice-filled glasses with fruit; top with a splash of club soda or ginger beer.

Bar Tips

  • Make ahead: 8–24 hours of chill time = deeper fruit flavor.
  • Wine choice: Pick a dry, fruit-forward red—save pricey bottles for sipping.
  • Fizz last: Add soda/ginger beer right before pouring to keep bubbles lively.

Flavor Swaps

  • Festive add-ins: pomegranate arils, cranberries, star anise, clove.
  • Sweeter profile: use 3 cups cider and reduce wine slightly.
  • White sangria: sub Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay for the red.

Variations

  • Fall Apple Cider Sangria: extra cider, cinnamon, and orange wheels.
  • Spiced Maple Sangria: sweeten with maple and add a pinch of nutmeg.
  • Rosé Fall Sangria: swap red for dry rosé; keep the cider + brandy the same.

Party Batch (12–14 servings)

  • 2 bottles dry red wine
  • 4 cups apple cider
  • 1 cup brandy
  • 1/2 cup orange liqueur
  • 4 apples, 2 pears, 2 oranges (sliced)
  • 4 cinnamon sticks

Combine in a punchbowl and chill overnight. Add ginger beer or club soda just before serving.

When to Serve

Perfect for Thanksgiving cocktails, Halloween parties, autumn weddings, tailgates, and Sunday roasts. Set out a ladle and let guests self-serve—easy refills, zero stress.

More ideas: All Cocktail Recipes • Fall Cocktail Recipes • Pair with Maple Old Fashioned or Apple Cider Margarita.

Fall Sangria Frequently Asked Questions


What white wine is good for fall sangria?

Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay work well if you prefer white wine sangria. For this recipe, we use red wine, but white creates a lighter, fruitier version.

Should sangria be made the night before?

Yes absolutely! Chilling overnight allows the flavors to meld and the fruit to infuse. Just add sparkling soda or ginger beer right before serving.

What is the traditional sangria recipe?

Classic sangria uses red wine, brandy, orange juice, sugar, and sliced fruit. Our fall version swaps in apple cider and seasonal spices for autumn flavor.

What are common mistakes when making sangria?

Using expensive wine, serving it immediately (instead of chilling), or adding sparkling elements too early. Always let the sangria rest and fizz last