Looking for a festive and flavorful drink to spice up your autumn gatherings? This Easy Fall Sangria Pitcher with Apples & Cranberries recipe is exactly what you need! Packed with seasonal fruits, a blend of wine and spirits, and a touch of sweetness, it’s the perfect cocktail to share with friends and family.
What is Easy Fall Sangria Pitcher?
Easy Fall Sangria Pitcher… It practically rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it? But where did this delightful concoction get its name? Was it invented by a tipsy orchard owner in a cranberry bog? Did a group of friends, a pitcher of sangria deep, suddenly exclaim, “This is SO fall!”? We may never know the true story, but one thing’s for sure: this drink defines autumn in a glass.
Maybe, just maybe, the name came to be because someone knew ‘the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach’, and this sangria surely wins hearts! So, skip the mystery, embrace the deliciousness, and give this recipe a whirl! You might just invent a new family tradition.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Fall Sangria Pitcher:
This Easy Fall Sangria Pitcher is the ultimate autumn cocktail for a multitude of reasons. First, it’s brimming with comforting fall flavors like crisp apples, tart cranberries, and warm spices, making it the perfect seasonal treat. Second, making it at home is incredibly budget-friendly. You can easily customize it to your liking and avoid the inflated prices at bars and restaurants.
Finally, the combination of red wine, brandy, and a hint of orange liqueur creates a complex and satisfying drink that will impress your guests. If you’re looking for another party-pleasing drink, check out our Sparkling Cranberry Mocktail, but this sangria sets a new standard. Ready to impress your guests? Try making this Easy Fall Sangria Pitcher today!
Key Ingredients for Easy Fall Sangria Pitcher:
- 1 (750ml) bottle of dry red wine (like Rioja or Cabernet Sauvignon)
- 1 cup apple cider
- ½ cup brandy
- ¼ cup orange liqueur (such as Cointreau or Grand Marnier)
- 2 medium apples, cored and chopped (Gala, Honeycrisp, or Fuji)
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- ½ orange, sliced
- ½ cup sparkling apple cider or club soda (optional, for topping)
How to Make Easy Fall Sangria Pitcher:
This recipe is as simple as chopping, mixing, and chilling! This sangria is easy to make, incredibly delicious, and refreshingly satisfying. The fruity flavors combined with the warmth of the spices create a captivating drink that’s sure to please a crowd. Preparation time is only about 15 minutes, but you’ll want to chill it for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Prepare the Fruit: Wash and core the apples. Chop them into bite-sized pieces. Wash the cranberries and slice the orange into thin rounds.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large pitcher, combine the dry red wine, apple cider, brandy, and orange liqueur. Stir well to combine.
- Add Fruit and Spices: Add the chopped apples, fresh cranberries, sliced orange, and cinnamon sticks to the pitcher.
- Mix Again: Gently stir all the ingredients together to ensure the fruit is submerged in the liquid.
- Chill: Cover the pitcher and refrigerate the sangria for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld together. The longer it sits, the more flavorful it becomes.
- Serve: Just before serving, add sparkling apple cider or club soda if desired, to add a bit of fizz. Pour the sangria over ice into glasses, making sure to include some of the fruit in each serving. Garnish with an extra orange slice or a few cranberries for a festive touch.
What to Serve Easy Fall Sangria Pitcher With:
This Easy Fall Sangria Pitcher pairs perfectly with a variety of autumnal dishes. Consider serving it alongside:
- Cheese and Charcuterie Board: The sangria’s sweetness and tartness complement the savory flavors of cheeses, cured meats, and crackers beautifully.
- Roasted Turkey or Chicken: The fruity notes of the sangria enhance the rich flavors of roasted poultry.
- Apple Crisp or Pumpkin Pie: The fall flavors of the sangria create a cohesive and delightful dessert pairing.
- Spiced Nuts: A bowl of spiced nuts offers a satisfying salty-sweet snack that complements the sangria’s warmth.
Top Tips for Perfecting Easy Fall Sangria Pitcher:
- Use a Quality Red Wine: While you don’t need to break the bank, using a decent bottle of dry red wine will significantly improve the flavor of your sangria. Rioja, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Merlot are all good choices.
- Adjust Sweetness to Taste: If you prefer a sweeter sangria, add a splash of simple syrup or honey. Taste and adjust as needed.
- Don’t Skip the Chilling Time: The chilling time is crucial for allowing the flavors to meld together. Don’t rush this step!
- Use Fresh Fruit: Fresh apples and cranberries will provide the best flavor and texture. Avoid using frozen fruit, as it can become mushy when soaked in the alcohol.
- Add Sparkling Wine for Extra Fizz: Just before serving, top off your sangria with a splash of sparkling wine (like Prosecco or Cava) for a bubbly, festive touch.
- Don’t Overdo the Brandy: While brandy adds a wonderful warmth to the sangria, too much can overpower the other flavors. Stick to the recipe’s recommended amount.
- Controling the acid. If the acid is to high, use a pinch of baking soda to bring out the rich and deep flavors that are commonly associated with fall recipes.
Storing and Reheating Tips:
- Storing Leftovers: Leftover sangria can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure to keep it in an airtight container to prevent the fruit from drying out and to preserve the carbonation if you added sparkling wine.
- Reheating: Since sangria is served chilled, there’s no need to reheat it. If you added sparkling wine or club soda before storing, it may lose some of its fizz. Stir in a fresh splash of bubbles just before serving.
- Freezing: Freezing sangria is not recommended as it can alter the texture of the fruit and the overall flavor of the drink, however, you can freeze the wine based without the fresh fruit. Pour the wine, brandy, orange liqueur and apple cider mix into a freezer safe container. This should be brought out roughly 2 hours before serving, allowing the mix to defrost and be ready to mix into the cranberries and apples.
Final Thoughts:
This Easy Fall Sangria Pitcher is the perfect drink to celebrate the season. It’s easy to make, bursting with fall flavors, and sure to be a hit at your next gathering. Gather your ingredients, follow the simple steps, and enjoy a delicious and festive cocktail with friends and family! Cheers to autumn!
FAQs:
- Can I use different fruits? Absolutely! Feel free to customize the sangria with other seasonal fruits like pears, grapes, or plums.
- Can I use a different type of wine? Yes, you can experiment with different red wines. A light-bodied red like Pinot Noir would also work well.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Yes! In fact, making it a day ahead allows the flavors to meld together even more. Just add the sparkling wine or club soda right before serving.
- Is this drink very strong? The strength of the sangria depends on the type and amount of alcohol you use. The recipe is designed to be a balanced and flavorful drink, but you can adjust the amount of brandy or liqueur to your liking.
- Can I make this non-alcoholic? Yes, substitute the red wine with a non-alcoholic red wine or grape juice, and replace the brandy and orange liqueur with non-alcoholic alternatives, such as orange juice or a splash of non-alcoholic bitters.
try also : Easy Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe and find more in pinterest