Dylan Jacob |
5 Best Sangria Recipes for Fall
Don’t get us wrong - we absolutely love the summertime. Those long, balmy afternoons in the sunshine, the pool parties, the picnics with friends and family - not to mention all the delicious, cool, refreshing summer drinks - it really is a time to make the most of and enjoy. However, there’s something deeply special about the fall. It’s a time of year so rich in colour, flavour, and character… and as the nights draw in the chill starts biting the air, we become drawn to a whole different set of drinking experiences and social occasions.
Today, we’re going to be looking at a set of recipes for making fall-specific Sangria. Yes, we know what you’re thinking - Sangria is about as summery a drink as they come. Juice, wine, chopped citrus fruits, a little shot of something to give it extra oomph; it’s a Spanish summer holiday in a glass. However, just because the hot days of blue skies are fading in our memories, it doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to Sangria for another year.
We love a great twist on a classic. In fact, fall Sangria recipes are possibly even better than the original, because they involve deeper, more warming flavors that really up the satisfaction levels, and allow you to experiment with a totally different set of ingredients. If you’re looking for a drink that makes the fall even more delicious than it already is, then you’re in luck: we’ve got five awesome recipes that you’re sure to absolutely adore, and which are perfect for making a big batch of, and sharing with your mates in front of a roaring fire. What’s more, they make the ultimate Thanksgiving tipple!
Pumpkin Spice Sangria
What would fall be without pumpkin spice recipes? This delicious, warming and deeply satisfying Sangria offers a truly tasty reinvention of the original, and is sure to be a hit at whatever parties you’re throwing this season! It’s one of the best fall Sangria recipes in our arsenal, and we’re delighted to be sharing it with you.
- 1 bottle of white wine, chilled (we reckon a Chardonnay or Viognier hits the spot)
- 1 bottle of sparkling cider, chilled
- ½ cup of pumpkin pie or spiced vodka
- 1 chopped pear
- 1 chopped red apple
- ¼ cup sugar
- ½ tsp pumpkin spice
- Cinnamon sticks, to garnish
First, prep your glasses. Do this by putting the sugar and pumpkin spice on a shallow plate, and mixing them together. Take a slice of apple, and rub it all along the rim of your glasses, then dip the glass - sticky rim side down - in the sugar and spice mix. Leave to one side.
In a big pitcher, combine the wine with the cider and the vodka. Add all the chopped fruit, and give it a good mix to combine. Pour generously into glasses, then garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Ginger Apple Sangria
If you’re on the lookout for the best fall Sangria recipe to really captures those gorgeous autumnal flavours, then this really might be the one. There’s something about the combination of apple and ginger that truly hits all the right notes… and we’re sure this will go on to become a seasonal favourite you won’t be able to get enough of!
- 1 green apple, sliced
- 1 red apple, sliced
- 1 pear, sliced
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1 orange, sliced
- 2 cups of quality cider
- 2 small bottles of ginger beer (the spicier the better!)
- 1 bottle of dry or off-dry white wine (both Gewurztraminer and Riesling work wonders with ginger)
Take a big pitcher, and fill it up with all that lovely chopped fruit. Add the apple cider, the ginger beer, and the bottle of wine (make sure it’s all chilled beforehand), and give it a good mix before pouring into glasses and enjoying with your mates.
Caramel Apple Sangria
The fall is a time for combining different intense flavours. That’s why sweet and sour combos like toffee apples and spiced pumpkin dominate the flavour profiles at this time of year… absolutely perfect for those chilly nights when you need a real pick-me-up. This Sangria pays homage to a seasonal classic, and it’s every bit as satisfying as even the best toffee apples of your childhood, with the added bonus of having a grown-up, boozy twist!
- ½ cup caramel or toffee vodka
- 1 bottle of sparkling cider
- 1 bottle of white wine (an apple-y Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio would work well)
- 1 red apple, chopped
- Cinnamon stick, to serve
Add all the ingredients (except the cinnamon) to a pitcher, stir well, and serve in an insulated stemless glass with a cinnamon stick garnish. Toffee apple perfection!
Fall Pink Sangria
The beautiful deep colour of this flavourful Sangria is a pleasant memory of the summer drink we all know and love, but one sip of this gorgeous concoction and you’ll be left in no doubt about what season you’re in! There’s something about the flavour of pears that really gets us in an autumnal mood - that rich juiciness and mellow touch is what fall is all about. The added bonus of pomegranate makes this a real favourite, and it’s ideal for sharing while staying in and watching a movie.
- 1 bottle of white wine (Pinot Grigio or Muscat are both great for this one)
- 3 cups of pomegranate juice
- ½ cup of pear brandy
- 2 ripe pears, thinly sliced
- 1 cinnamon stick
- A bottle of Prosecco, to serve
- Pomegranate seeds, to garnish
In a pitcher, stir together the white wine, the pomegranate juice, the brandy, sliced pears, and the cinnamon stick. Put in the fridge to chill and for the flavours to combine - an hour or two will do the trick.
To serve, pour the Sangria into glasses over a shard of ice, and top up with some fizzy Prosecco. Drop some pomegranate seeds into the glass, and you’re all good to go!
Deep Cranberry Sangria
Wow - the color of this Sangria really is to die for. It’s the deep red that only cranberries can provide… and what fruit is more fall-ish than the humble yet flavor-packed cranberry? If you’re looking for a cocktail for Hallowe’en, then this one fits the bill pretty well, too - just give it a cheesy name like ‘devil’s blood’ and serve it in a goblet, and your guests will fall over each other to get their hands on this drink!
- 1 bottle of medium-bodied red wine (a Merlot or Rioja does the trick)
- 4 cups of cranberry juice
- ¼ cup of orange liqueur
- 2 cups of fresh cranberries or raspberries
- 2 cups sparkling water
- 2 cups of ice
Pour the red wine into a pitcher. Add the liqueur, the cranberry juice, and the fresh fruit. Stir well, then leave in the fridge for at least four hours, or overnight.
When ready to serve, remove the pitcher from the fridge, and add the sparkling water and ice (although the ice is optional). Stir well, then pour into your choice of glass, or add a bit of seasonal charm by serving in a mason jar.
Use a BrüMate Uncork'd XL to serve up your sangria. This 14 oz insulated tumbler can fit over two glasses of wine, and features a fully leakproof lid to decrease the chance of spills. Pair with a Winsulator to keep your sangria chilled for that warm summer evening!
There you go - five amazing recipes for fall Sangria that’ll keep the good times coming until Christmas rolls around. Feel free to experiment with these recipes, innovate, and try out different fruit / wine / spirits combos - you know what you like better than we do, and we’re sure you’ll do us proud. Don’t forget to check out our line of innovative drinking accessories!
Want more tips on hosting your next cocktail party? Read up on our tips for home bar accessories, or check out the BrüMate best sellers to get started.