As the bright hues of summer slowly give way to earthy tones of autumn, our palates shift from light and refreshing cocktails to craving cozier beverages. One beverage that embodies the essence of the new season is Fall Sangria. This delightful and versatile beverage marries the rich flavors of the season with the festive spirit of sangria, creating a drink that’s perfect for crisp evenings and social gatherings.
What is Sangria?
Sangria & its history has strong ties to Spain. The word “sangria” is derived from the Spanish word “sangre,” meaning “blood”, alluding to the dark, red color of the drink. Historically, in Spain, it is common for people to mix red wine with water, fruits, and spices to create a refreshing beverage in the warmer months. The earliest documented references to sangria date back to the 18th century, with simple ingredients like: red wine, water, sugar, and spices.
The beauty of Sangria is in its ability to be adapted – you can create countless variations to suit different seasons.
What are the Flavors of Fall?
Fall is a season defined by its earthy flavors. Incorporating these elements into your Fall Sangria is a good way to pay homage to the tastes of the season. Let’s explore some of the key ingredients that are good inclusions for your sangria:
Apples: Apples are a quintessential fall fruit that can provide a wonderful base flavor for your sangria. You can use a variety of apple types to create depth in your sangria.
Pears: Pears add a subtle sweetness and a silky texture to your sangria. They complement the apple flavors perfectly.
Cinnamon and Cloves: These aromatic spices are synonymous with autumn. They add warmth and depth to your sangria, making it feel like a cozy embrace.
Cranberries: The tartness of cranberries balances the sweetness of the fruits and wine, creating a complex flavor profile.
Red Wine: A robust red wine, such as a Tempranillo, Merlot, or Cabernet Sauvignon, forms the backbone of your sangria, imparting depth and richness.
Spirits: Brandy or spiced rum are the spirits of choice for Fall Sangria, lending their unique flavors and a warming touch.
What are the best fall sangria recipes?
Classic Fall Sangria
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle of red wine
- ½ cup brandy
- ¼ cup orange liqueur
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 2 apples, sliced
- 2 pears, sliced
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 cloves
- 1 cup cranberries (frozen or fresh)
- Club soda (optional)
Instructions:
- Combine the wine, brandy, orange liqueur, and maple syrup in a large pitcher.
- Add the sliced apples, pears, and oranges.
- Stir in the cinnamon stick and cloves.
- Gently fold in the cranberries.
- Let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or overnight, to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve in glasses with ice. You can top it off with a splash of club soda for some effervescence.
Spiced Apple Cider Sangria
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle of white wine (e.g., Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc)
- 1 cup spiced apple cider
- ¼ cup bourbon
- 2 apples, diced
- 1 orange, sliced
- ½ cup pomegranate seeds
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 star anise
- ¼ cup honey
Instructions:
- Combine the white wine, spiced apple cider, bourbon, and honey in a large pitcher.
- Add the diced apples, orange slices, and pomegranate seeds.
- Stir in the cinnamon sticks and star anise.
- Let it chill in the refrigerator for a few hours.
- Serve in glasses with ice and garnish with extra pomegranate seeds and a cinnamon stick.
Cranberry Spice Sangria
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle of red wine
- ½ cup spiced rum
- ¼ cup cranberry juice
- ¼ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 apple, sliced
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 cup cranberries (frozen or fresh)
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 cloves
Instructions:
- In a large pitcher, mix the red wine, spiced rum, cranberry juice, orange juice, and brown sugar.
- Add the sliced apple and orange.
- Stir in the cranberries, cinnamon sticks, and cloves.
- Refrigerate for a few hours or overnight.
- Serve in glasses with a garnish of additional cranberries and a cinnamon stick.
Pumpkin Pie Sangria
Ingredients
- 1 bottle white wine, chilled
- 1 bottle sparkling cider, chilled
- ½ c. pumpkin pie vodka
- 1 pear, chopped
- 1 apple, chopped
- 1/4 c. sugar
- ½ tsp. pumpkin spice
- Cinnamon sticks, for garnish
Instructions
- On a small shallow plate, combine sugar and pumpkin spice and mix to combine. Rim glasses with a piece of apple and dip glasses into mixture. Set aside.
- In a large pitcher, combine wine with cider and pumpkin pie vodka. Add chopped fruit and stir to combine. Pour into glasses and garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Caramel Apple Sangria
Ingredients
- 1 bottle of white wine
- 1/2 cup of caramel vodka
- 1/4 cup of apple schnapps
- 2 apples, chopped
- Caramel sauce for drizzling
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Combine the white wine, caramel vodka, and apple schnapps.
- Add the chopped apples and drizzle caramel sauce into the mixture.
- Serve with ice.
Pear and Ginger Sangria
Ingredients
- 1 bottle of white wine
- 2 pears, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup of ginger liqueur
- ¼ cup of honey
- 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
- Sparkling water (optional)
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Combine the white wine, ginger liqueur, honey, and lemon juice.
- Add the sliced pears and let them chill in the refrigerator.
- Before serving, add ice and a splash of sparkling water if desired.
How Do I Serve Sangria?
Fall Sangria is as much about the presentation as it is about the taste. Here are some creative ideas for serving this delightful autumn drink:
- Garnish with Cinnamon Sticks: A cinnamon stick adds a touch of elegance to your glass and enhances the aroma.
- Rim Glasses with Cinnamon Sugar: Dip the glass rims in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar for an extra layer of flavor.
- Serve in Mason Jars: Mason jars are a rustic touch & perfect for a fall gathering.
- Add a Sprig of Rosemary or another herb: A small sprig of greenery not only looks festive for the season but also adds a delightful herbal note to your sangria.
- Incorporate Seasonal Flowers: Decorate your serving area with fall flowers, such as sunflowers, dahlias, or mums.
- Offer a Variety of Fruit Skewers: Create fruit skewers with apples, pears, and cranberries for guests to garnish their own glasses.
With its rich, complex flavors and versatility, Fall Sangria is perfect for autumn get-togethers, Thanksgiving accompaniments, or simply sipping by the fireside. The art of creating Fall Sangria lies in selecting the perfect seasonal ingredients and combining them to create a harmonious, soul-warming blend. So, whether you choose a classic recipe or experiment with your own variations, Fall Sangria is sure to become a cherished tradition that ushers in the season in style.
