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Kid-Friendly Spiked Apple Cider Sangria

kid-friendly spiked apple cider sangria - featured image
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A budget-friendly, easy-to-make sangria that’s perfect for fall gatherings. This recipe is flexible enough to make a kid-friendly mocktail version, and it comes together in minutes with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (960 ml) apple cider
  • 1 bottle (750 ml) red wine (e.g., Garnacha, young Rioja, or Merlot)
  • ½ cup (120 ml) apple brandy or bourbon (optional)
  • 2–3 tablespoons (30–45 ml) honey or maple syrup
  • 2–3 fresh apples (e.g., Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith), cored and thinly sliced
  • 1 orange, sliced into rounds
  • 2–3 cinnamon sticks
  • 2–3 star anise pods (optional)
  • 1–2 cups (240–480 ml) club soda or ginger ale (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Wash the apples and orange thoroughly. Core the apples and slice them into thin rounds or half-moons, about ¼-inch thick. Slice the orange into thin rounds as well.
  2. In a large pitcher, combine 4 cups of apple cider, ½ cup of apple brandy or bourbon (if using), and 2 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup. Stir vigorously until the sweetener is completely dissolved.
  3. Pour in the entire bottle of red wine and stir gently to combine.
  4. Add the cinnamon sticks, star anise pods (if using), sliced apples, and orange rounds. Push the fruit down gently into the liquid.
  5. Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally 4-6 hours, to allow the flavors to meld.
  6. Just before serving, remove the cinnamon sticks and star anise if desired. Pour in 1 cup of club soda or ginger ale and stir very gently. Add more fizz to taste.
  7. Fill each glass about ¾ full with the sangria, making sure to include some fruit pieces in each glass.

Notes

For the best flavor, use unfiltered apple cider and a fruity red wine. The sangria tastes even better on day two. For a kid-friendly version, skip the wine and brandy, and use extra apple cider and ginger ale with a splash of vanilla extract. Do not let the fruit sit in the liquid for more than 24 hours to avoid mushiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: sangria, apple cider, fall, cocktail, kid-friendly, party drink, spiked, red wine

Find it online: https://perkypan.com/kid-friendly-spiked-apple-cider-sangria/