Last weekend I was busy working on all things Christmas. I set up our little tree and decorated it. Then I got all the decorations out and put them on the mantle and around the house. I made two batches of fudge for holiday gifts and then I sat down and blogged for a bit.
Now doing all that work around the house made me thirsty. It's been cold outside so I haven't really wanted anything cold but I'm always up for a cocktail. There was a bowl of apples on the counter and I had a great idea. I thought maybe I should make Apple Sangria with spices. You heard me right; I wanted to make apple sangria.
I'll be the first to say I'm not a big fan of red wine but this sangria looked way too good to pass up. First I made a simple syrup with sugar, water, and spices. I figured the spices would help to warm up the sangria and me! Then I soaked apple pieces in the simple syrup. The drink is finished off with lemon slices, lime slices, apple slices, and red wine.
The first sip was pure bliss! This may be the best sangria I've ever had. It's lightly sweetened, full of spices, and it smelled amazing. Even my husband, who isn't big on mixing fruit with anything else, enjoyed his large glass of sangria. This would be a great drink to enjoy in the fall or to put out during a holiday party.
Apple Sangria
Recipe adapted from We Are Not Martha
Ingredients
- 1 ½ c. sugar
- 3 c. water
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 5 cloves
- 1 t. cinnamon
- 1 t. nutmeg
- 1 in. piece of ginger, grated
- 3 apples, cored
- 1 bottle dry red wine
- ½ c. orange juice
- ½ c. orange liquor
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1 lime, sliced
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan combine the sugar, water, cinnamon sticks, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Pour the spiced simple syrup into a medium bowl. Slice one of the apples thinly and place into the simple syrup. Refrigerate for at least an hour.
- Fill a pitcher half full with ice. Pour in the red wine, orange juice, and orange liqueur. Put in lemon and lime slices. Slice another apple and place in the pitcher. Dice the remaining apple and place in the pitcher.
- Add in half the simple syrup mixture, mix well to combine, and taste. Add additional simple syrup if desired. Pour into glasses filled with ice and garnish with a lemon or lime slice.
Easy Sangria Recipes
- Family Friendly Holiday Sangria by That Recipe
- Late Harvest Sangria by Art of Natural Living
- Orange and Blackberry White Wine Sangria by Karen's Kitchen Stories
- Spiced Apple Sangria by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
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Christie
What a great drink for fall with in season apples. Adding this to my fall recipes. I have several bottles of red that need to be used up.
Inger @ Art of Natural Liivng
Love all the spices in your simple syrup. Perfect for the holidays!
Karen
That sounds delicious and perfect for this time of year. Soaking the apples in the syrup is such a great idea!
Audrey
The spices and apples pair so wonderfully together. And then pour in the wine and orange flavors, YUM!