Spiced Apple Cider Harvest Sangria – A cozy, fruit-filled mocktail with crisp apples, warm spice, and autumn sparkle

Spiced Apple Cider Harvest Sangria – A cozy, fruit-filled mocktail with crisp apples, warm spice, and autumn sparkle

Spiced Apple Cider Harvest Sangria is a festive, alcohol-free twist on classic sangria, made especially for fall and winter gatherings. It blends crisp apple cider, bright citrus, juicy seasonal fruit, and warming spices into a refreshing yet cozy mocktail that feels celebratory and comforting at the same time. Perfect for holidays, dinner parties, Thanksgiving, or casual get-togethers, this sangria is easy to make, beautiful to serve, and loved by all ages. It’s lightly sweet, gently spiced, and wonderfully refreshing with a sparkling finish.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 1

Servings: 6 Servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

Sangria Base

4 cups apple cider
1 cup white grape juice
½ cup fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey adjust to taste

Fruit Add-Ins

1 apple thinly sliced
1 pear thinly sliced
1 orange sliced
½ cup fresh cranberries optional but festive

Warm Spice Infusion

1 cinnamon stick
2 whole cloves
1 star anise optional

Sparkling Finish

1½ –2 cups sparkling apple cider or plain sparkling water

Garnish (Optional)

Apple slices
Orange wheels
Cinnamon sticks
Rosemary sprigs

Equipment

Large pitcher
Cutting board
Sharp knife
Measuring cups & spoons
Wooden spoon
Serving glasses

Method

Step 1: Build the sangria base

In a large pitcher, combine apple cider, white grape juice, orange juice, lemon juice, and maple syrup.
Stir well until fully blended.

Step 2: Add fruit and spices

Add sliced apple, pear, orange, cranberries, cinnamon stick, cloves, and star anise.
Stir gently to combine.

Step 3: Chill

Cover and refrigerate for at least 1–2 hours (or up to overnight) to allow flavors to infuse.

Step 4: Add sparkle

Just before serving, remove whole spices.
Stir in sparkling apple cider or sparkling water.

Step 5: Serve

Pour into glasses over ice (or without ice if well chilled).
Garnish as desired.

Notes

🧊 Storage

Store the sangria base (without sparkling) in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. ❄️

Add sparkling liquid only right before serving to maintain fizz.

🥄 Variations

Cranberry Apple Sangria
Replace white grape juice with cranberry juice.

Winter Citrus Sangria
Add sliced blood oranges or mandarins.

Light & Refreshing Version
Use all sparkling water instead of sparkling cider.

Warm Mulled Sangria
Gently heat the base with spices and fruit (do not boil), skip sparkle.

Kids’ Party Version
Add extra apple slices and serve with fun cups and straws.

❓ 10 FAQs

Is this alcoholic?
No — completely alcohol-free.

Can kids drink this?
Yes — it’s family-friendly.

Does it taste sweet?
Lightly sweet with balanced citrus and spice.

Can I make it the night before?
Yes — it tastes even better the next day.

What apples work best?
Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji.

Do I have to add spices?
No — they’re optional but add warmth.

Can I skip sparkling?
Yes — it’s delicious still.

Can I serve it warm?
Yes — as a mulled apple sangria.

Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely — great for crowds.

What glass is best?
Wine glasses or large tumblers.

🏁 Conclusion

Spiced Apple Cider Harvest Sangria is the ultimate fall and winter mocktail — cozy, fruity, lightly spiced, and beautifully festive. With crisp apples, bright citrus, and warming spice, it brings all the charm of traditional sangria into an alcohol-free version everyone can enjoy. Easy to prepare and stunning to serve, it’s guaranteed to be a seasonal favorite.