I’ve decided to try a slightly different angle this year when it comes to winter: I’m going to fully, enthusiastically embrace each phase of the season as it comes.
Rainy but mild? We’re donning raincoats and wellies and heading out to splash in puddles. Dark and dreary? Time to haul out the big blanket and cuddle in front of the fire. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Saint Patrick’s Day … there will be crafts to make, books to read, events to attend. A snowman will happen, and hot chocolate afterwards. And, of course, recipes to make for every season. Lots and lots of recipes.
Several of which – let’s be honest – will be cocktails.
My new outlook – okay, yes, and maybe a glass or two of, say, this Spiced Apple Cider Sangria now and then – will help me to forget the fact that we will likely go for months without a peek of sunshine. It will help to make the three-week-long stretch of gray and drizzle come January more palatable. 16 hours of dark per day? No vacation to a sunny destination on the calendar?? Not a problem!
… Theoretically.
Man. Dark and gray. For the next five months.
Um, yeah. Get me another glass of apple cider sangria. Stat!
Yeah, winters can be tough, especially in the Pacific Northwest. But you know what? I actually am kind of excited for it now. In the immortal words of Patti LaBelle, I’ve got a new attitude!
And – AND! A new apple cider sangria recipe.
Spiced Apple Cider Sangria
Ingredients
- 1 750 ml bottle of white wine (I like something light, fruity, and not too sweet. Pinot grigio is perfect for this sangria)
- 3 cups apple cider
- 3/4 cup light rum (the clear rum)
- 3 - 4 medium apples (I like the colorful combo of honeycrisp, red delicious, golden delicious, and granny smith, cored and sliced)
- 3 2- inch orange peels (use a carrot peeler and try to avoid as much pith - the white part - as possible)
- 4 3- inch cinnamon sticks
- 2 teaspoons whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon whole allspice
- 2 12- ounce bottles of ginger beer (like this one or ginger ale)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients except ginger ale to a 2.5-quart or larger pitcher. Cover with airtight lid or cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, up to 24 hours.
- If desired, remove fruit and pour mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to strain out the spices and orange peel. Discard spices and orange peel and return liquid and apples to the pitcher. Personally, I like having the cloves and allspice bob around in each glass, so I don't strain, but you do have to be careful to dodge the whole spices when drinking it.
- Pour liquid into glasses about halfway. Add apple slices until glass is about 3/4 full. Top off with ginger beer. Serve with a straw.
I’m so glad you’re here! I’m a vegetarian home cook, certified plant-based pro, and mom. I’m married to an enthusiastic carnivore, and my mission is to achieve peace in the kitchen – one tasty recipe at a time. These days, I also try not to ask to speak to the manager.
Man does this look good. I love the addition of ginger beer. And cute straws too!
I have never had Spiced Apple Cider Sangria, but the recipe makes me so thirsty that I really really want to try It,
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What could I use in place of the liquor? There are members of my family who do not drink alcohol.
Wow this recipe is so yummy! After mixing it all up the night before I was a little worried that it wasn’t going to turn out but believe me and trust the recipe. The next day it was sooo good I couldn’t wait to take it to the party. I poured fresh cranberries and pomegranate seeds to make it look more festive. DON’T CHANGE A THING!! Yum 😋
I love the idea of cranberries and pomegranate seeds – pretty! Thanks so much for the review!