This Apple Cider Sangria is the perfect pitcher cocktail recipe for fall bonfires and holiday gatherings. With dry white wine, fresh-pressed apple cider, hard apple cider, and a touch of smokey-caramelly Bourbon, it’s cozy yet refreshing in the most beautiful, delicious way!
This pitcher recipe for Apple Cider Sangria is all about easy, chilly weather refreshment. If you can stir, you will be the host/hostess with the mostest when you offer this apple-flavored cocktail to your guests. I also like to serve a Brandy Old Fashioned and an Amaretto Sour during the fall months – and definitely mix up a pitcher of Christmas Sangria once you get the tree decorated!
Why I’m a Fan of Apple Cider Sangria
This sweet-tart apple cider sangria is a smooth, easy drink when I want to serve a seasonal cocktail during the colder months. I’ve made it for fall neighborhood block parties and have served it for Thanksgiving – always to rave reviews!
- A cinch to make. Whether you’re a rookie or a pro behind the bar, this easy pitcher cocktail will have you lookin’ GOOD. Just stir the ingredients together and add sliced apples and fresh thyme sprigs – and let it chill in the fridge to let the flavors mingle.
- Great for making ahead. I appreciate any recipe that I can prep in advance, and this is one of the best. When your friends show up, just add ice to individual glasses and pour – no measuring ingredients for individual drinks!
- Festive. Apples, apple cider, and hard cider are perfect for fall bonfires, Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving dinners, and Christmas cocktails.
“I made it last weekend as a double batch. The thyme cuts the sweetness a bit. I got most of the ingredients at my local Trader Joes. It is smooth, refreshing and easy to make.”
Lisa
What You’ll Need
The combination of these ingredients is autumn magic – with warmed yet refreshing flavors. Scroll to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact ingredient amounts and the full instructions.
- Chardonnay – Make sure it’s chilled.
- Apple cider – Fresh-pressed apple cider from the refrigerated section is what you need for this drink. It has wonderful fresh flavor. Do not use apple juice.
- Bourbon – This adds warmth and depth.
- Lemon juice – Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a lovely bright tartness.
- Orange bitters – I use Fee Brothers.
- Apples – I like to use Haralson or Honeycrisp varieties – but you really just want a tart-sweet, crisp variety that you love.
- Thyme – Fresh thyme sprigs add an earthy flavor and scent that pairs so well with the other ingredients.
- Hard cider – I recommend Angry Orchard’s “Crisp Cider” for this recipe, as I like its robust apple flavor and touch of bubbles.
How to Make This Apple Cider Sangria Recipe
This apple cider sangria is a stir-and-pour recipe that’ll make entertaining your guests a breeze. Scroll to the bottom of the post for the full recipe card.
- Fill the pitcher. Stir the Chardonnay, apple cider, bourbon, lemon juice, and bitters in a large pitcher. (Wait to add the hard cider until right before serving, so you don’t lose the bubbles!)
- Prep the apples and thyme. Slice the apples into thin rings. Get rid of any seeds and cut the rings in half to get half-moons or semi-circles. Toss them into the pitcher, along with the fresh thyme sprigs.
- Chill. Place the pitcher in the fridge for 2-4 hours.
- Serve. Add the hard cider and give a gentle stir. Taste the sangria and adjust the flavor by adding more cider, bourbon, or bitters to taste. Pour the cocktail into ice-filled glasses. Garnish with sliced apples and a thyme sprig. Enjoy!
Tips & Variation Ideas
I have a few ideas to help you make the best fall sangria ever.
- Swap the wine. If you like a sweeter drink, try a Riesling wine instead of Chardonnay. If you like a lighter bodied wine, try a Pinot Grigio.
- Add a stir stick. Add a little flair to your drinks with cinnamon sticks.
- Swap out the bourbon. If you’re not a bourbon fan, try brandy, cognac, or an aged or spiced rum.
- Sweeten it up. Stir in a bit of honey, maple syrup, agave nectar, or simple syrup into the pitcher. Cinnamon Simple Syrup would be BEAUTIFUL!
- Rim the glasses. Dip the rims of your serving glasses in apple cider and press them into a sweet-and-salty cinnamon-sugar mixture, like this Apple Cider Margarita.
What Goes With Apple Sider Sangria?
This boozy apple cider sangria matches up deliciously with so many appetizers. I like to serve it with Everything Bagel Pigs in a Blanket, Bacon Wrapped Smokies, or Sausage Cheese Balls.
My Holiday Charcuterie Board, Italian Stuffed Jalapeños, and Rosemary Thyme Spiced Nuts are other festive classics.
More Fall and Holiday Drinks & Cocktails
Apple Cider Sangria
Ingredients
- 1 bottle (750 mL) chilled unoaked Chardonnay
- 2 cups fresh-pressed apple cider (Not apple juice. Look for this in the refrigerated section of fresh produce.)
- ½ cup your favorite Bourbon
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon orange bitters, such as Fee Brothers
- 2 medium-sized firm, tart-sweet apples
- 6 sprigs fresh thyme, plus one sprig for each individual drink
- 2 bottles (12 ounces each) chilled Angry Orchard "Crisp Cider" hard cider
Instructions
- In a large pitcher, stir together Chardonnay, fresh-pressed apple cider, Bourbon, lemon juice, and orange bitters.
- Slice apples (do not peel) thinly, crosswise, to get apple rings. Discard any seeds and then cut rings in half. Add apple slices and 6 thyme sprigs to pitcher. Place pitcher in refrigerator to chill and let flavors mingle for 2-4 hours.
- Right before serving, stir in the hard cider. Taste sangria and adjust if desired – adding more apple cider, Bourbon, and/or bitters, to taste.
- Fill individual glasses ⅔-full with crushed ice and pour sangria over ice. Add a few apple slices and a fresh sprig of thyme to each glass. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
This post was originally published in 2019, then updated in 2025.
I made it last weekend as a double batch and used my Brita 5 gallon pitcher to hold it. The thyme cuts the sweetness a bit. I got most of the ingredients at my local Trader Joes. It is smooth, refreshing and easy to make.
Brenda, I’ll be over, what time are drinks? LOL! This has my name written all over it, beautiful beverage!!
I’d love that, Kathleen! Really!!
I have heard a lot about these but never used any! This sangria looks so delish!
So pretty!
Now, this is how to come to terms with fall!! ;) hahahaha
We think alike. :)
Your pictures are beautiful and my mouth is puckering thinking about sipping on these. Nice combo of flavors. Can’t wait to try these.
Gorgeous cocktail! I need this ASAP!
I LOVE my Wustof knives and hope to get a double set for the barn sometime soon here. I can’t live without my knifes! :)
Love this pretty drink, perfect for Halloween or even Thanksgiving!
This is such a great idea for a sangria! I definitely want to give it a try
We finally went apple picking last weekend!! This is gorgeous! BTW I adore my Wustof knives – just had them professionally sharpened. :)
I, too, love apples! I actually started a little apple orchard back on my family farm back in Ohio, but I just moved to Colorado so now I am apple orchard-less!! :(
Ohhhhh…I feel for you, to be away from your investment in your little orchard!
Beautiful drink recipe, Brenda. I have one good knife that I love, and was just telling my husband I need better knives! LOL
I sure love this time of year!
Thanks, Sandy. I just love a good knife. It’s half the fun of being in the kitchen! ;)
I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve worked all my life with dull knives…I really need to check these out…and great sangria!
Thanks, Sue. And I really encourage you to try out a good set of knives – it changes everything. Go to a respected store and talk to someone knowledgeable (Williams-Sonoma is always great). Get a good chef’s knife and a good paring knife to start out with, see what you think. And keep up with the sharpening, new knives get dull, too!
Love the recipe and the knife, I only own Wushtof. It’s been my brand for years – well crafted cutting and for handling.