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Typically made with a base of red wine combined with fruit juice, fresh fruit, soda water and sometimes brandy, Sangria is a beverage that’s primarily served and consumed in the warmer months of summer while the fruit can be freshly picked and an ice cold libation is most welcome. However, despite the cooling weather, we think we’ve managed to come up with two delicious Autumn-inspired Sangria recipes that are worthy of a new tradition at your Thanksgiving table.
Our first version is created using the more traditional red wine base (we chose a Pinot Noir) mixed with apple cider, chopped seasonal fruits like apples and pears, and cinnamon sticks for a kick of spice. The sweetness from the cider and fruit is often enough to balance the flavor, but you could add a tablespoon or two of molasses to bring out a deeper autumnal sweetness if you’d prefer.
- 1 bottle red wine (we chose pinot noir)
- 2 cups apple cider
- 1 chopped apple
- 1 chopped pear
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- Combine all the ingredients together in a large pitcher and place in the refrigerator. Let sit overnight or several hours and serve cold. Optional: Serve over ice in a rimmed glass (see our recipe for spiced rim sugar below).
Our second Sangria recipe, a Sangria Blanca, is made using a white wine base (we used a Pinot Grigio) mixed with apple cider, club soda for carbonation, maple syrup for a light, natural sweetness, cinnamon sticks and a garnish of chopped seasonal fruits like apples, pears and plums. This version is lighter and sweeter than the first, which is perfect for those with a sweet tooth, and it smells absolutely divine.
- 1 bottle pinot grigio
- 2 cups apple cider
- ¼ cup maple syrup (or to taste)
- ½ cup brandy
- 1 cup club soda
- 3 cups autumn fruit, chopped (such as apples, pears and plums)
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- Combine everything in a large pitcher and place in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. Give it a good stir and serve chilled.
- Optional: Serve over ice in a glass rimmed with spiced rim sugar (recipe below).
Finally, we’ve garnished all our sangria glasses with a spiced rim sugar to add a sweet and deliciously spiced flavor to either Sangria recipe. We chose to make ours using just white sugar and ground cinnamon, but you could incorporate any ground spices you wanted, such as ground nutmeg or clove.
- 1 cup sugar
- 1-2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- a pinch of ground cloves or nutmeg (optional)
- Pour sugar and spices in a bowl and mix together with a fork or whisk until well combined. Wet the rim of your glass with water or fruit juice, and dip into the spiced sugar mixture. Repeat until all your glasses are rimmed.
Used In This Project:
- Small Diamond Hang Tag • I chose the “Botanical Monogram” style in deep blue.
- Small Circle Label • I chose the “Botanical Monogram” style in deep blue.
- Large Oval Label • I chose the “Botanical Monogram” style in deep blue.
- Square Coasters • I chose the “Botanical Monogram” style in deep blue.
Josephine Guicciardi is the nom de plume of our creative Evermine blogger. With romantic connections to Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Immortal Beloved” love letters, it is in keeping with the blog’s themes of love and joy. The great composer writes the famous words “ever thine, ever mine, ever ours” to a woman who remains a mystery to this day. Two of the most likely objects of his adoration are Josephine Brunsvik and Guilietta Guicciardi, and it’s from these two women that Josephine Guicciardi draws her persona.
If only it weren’t Sunday night, I would be enjoying some sangria right now! Not sure what I love more, the yummy recipes, the stunning photos or the cool labels. 🙂
Thanks so much for the feedback Lisa!
DITTO on the yummy recipes, stunning photos and very cool labels!!!! This looks absolutely amazing and since today is Friday….it WILL be made this weekend! Thank you for sharing.
Where did you get the carafe with the cork lid? I’ve got to have one of those.
Hi Lisa,
You can find the carafe and the cork at Ikea (or Ikea.com). Hope that helps!
Lindsay
Thank you!
I bet you could serve this warm as a mulled wine, too!
What size bottle of wine do you use, 750ml or 1.5.
Sounds delicious and can’t wait to try these recipes.
Hi Jen! 750ml. Hope you enjoy!
Thank you, can’t wait
Hi! These both sound amazing… the one picture looks like it’s the two mixed together.. is that correct? thanks!!
Hey Jen. In that picture, you’re seeing the wine and the apple cider. They remain separate before you mix them together. 🙂
I love the short steam glasses used in the photos! Do recall where you found them? Can’t wait to try these recipes!
I think we just purchased those at our local thrift store, Briana. We did a little internet shopping to see if we could find something similar for you, but came up empty handed. Sorry =/
hi! planning on making the red wine sangria for thanksgiving! do you use sparking apple cider or just regular Apple cider? thanks in advance, can’t wait to try the recipe!
Just regular apple cider. Hope you enjoy the recipe Lauren!
great, thank you! off to the store I go!
Can’t wait to try these recipes, they look delicious! Can you please tell me where you got the plastic carafe with the green lid??
I don’t think this link leads to the exact carafe, but it’s pretty close. I believe the original was purchased at Target, but I’m not sure if they still carry them: http://www.amazon.com/Grant-Howard-Piece-Beverage-Carafe/dp/B00D3R296K
This will be my third time making this delicious recipe, BUT I forgot to buy cinnamon sticks and there’s no way I’m making a trip to the store the night before Thanksgiving. Any advice for using spices instead? Cinnamon, nutmeg, etc?
They look absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for sharing these ideas and recipes.
How many drinks does this recipe make per batch? Thank you!
Do you have an idea of how long they last? Can store? Specifically the apple cider one with apples?
I made this last year and loved it. I’m about to make it for a party tonight but have 2 bottles of Merlot. Do you think Merlot will be fine or should I go buy Pinot