Caramel Apple Sangria

This Caramel Apple Sangria is a big-batch fall cocktail made with white wine, apple cider, vodka, and caramel syrup, then loaded with fresh apples and cinnamon sticks. Serve it in glasses rimmed with caramel and cinnamon sugar!

Jump to:

• 🧡 Why this recipe works
• 🗒️ Ingredients
• 🍎 Recipe tips
• ☀️ How to make ahead of time
• ⏲️ How to store
• 🎉 Variations on recipe
• 🥃 More fall cocktail recipes
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

This caramel apple sangria is my go-to for fall get-togethers. You stir everything together in one pitcher, let it chill for a couple of hours, and it's ready when your guests arrive.

It's basically an apple cider sangria with a sweet caramel twist. Plus, the caramel cinnamon sugar rim makes every glass feel like an extra special autumn treat.

I already love my cinnamon pear sangria for fall, but apples and caramel are such a classic combo that I had to combine them into pitcher of their own. The crisp white wine keeps the drink light and refreshing, while the cider and caramel make it taste like a caramel apple in a glass. AKA heavenly.

And since it's made for a crowd, it's perfect for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, or any cozy fall weekend.

🧡 Why this recipe works

It tastes like a caramel apple: apple cider, caramel syrup, and a splash of vanilla give the white wine a sweet, cozy fall flavor, and the fresh apples soak it all up as it chills. Like a caramel apple in a glass!

It's made in one pitcher: there's no simple syrup to prepare (unless you want to make your own caramel syrup). You just have to stir everything together and let it chill. So easy in terms of making and clean-up!

It's easy to make ahead of time: it needs 2 -4 hours to chill anyway, so you can mix it up before guests arrive and focus on everything else.

The caramel cinnamon sugar rim makes it feel extra special: a caramel and cinnamon sugar rim is easy to prep and makes this fall sangria look like you went all out.

🗒️ Ingredients

Here's everything you need to make a pitcher of caramel apple sangria (be sure to view the recipe card at the bottom of this post for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions):

• Dry white wine: I like to use pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc.
• Apple cider
• Vodka: I use standard vodka (Tito's is my go-to!), but you can use caramel vodka or vanilla vodka for even more fun flavor if you want.
• Caramel syrup: I've made this sangria with both my homemade caramel syrup and store-bought caramel syrup. Both work really well!
• Vanilla extract
• Apples: you can use the variety of your choice, but I like to use 1 honeycrisp apple and 1 granny smith apple for a combo of sweetness and tartness. You'll slice them thinly for the sangria.
• Cinnamon sticks
• Ground cinnamon: for glass rims
• Granulated sugar: for glass rims
• Caramel sauce: optional for the glass rims. You can also just use more caramel syrup if you prefer.
• Seltzer water: after I pour the sangria into the glasses, I like to add a splash of fizz.

🍎 Recipe tips

• Stir the ingredients in the pitcher really well before adding the apples, so the caramel syrup doesn't just settle on the bottom of the pitcher.

• Chill your wine and apple cider ahead of time, so the sangria is already cold when you mix it.

• Be sure to leave time for the sangria to chill. I recommend chilling it for 2-4 hours to let the apples and cinnamon sticks flavor the sangria and allow the apples to soak up all the caramel apple flavor.

• Taste the sangria before serving it. Every apple cider and caramel syrup is a little different, so taste to determine if you want to add a little more caramel syrup. Or vodka!

• Add the cinnamon sugar rim to the glasses right before you serve the sangria.

• Add the seltzer water to the individual glasses of sangria rather than the pitcher. This will keep every pour fizzy and any leftover sangria in the pitcher won't go flat.

I'm generally a red wine and sangria girlie, but this may just be the most delicious sangria I've ever had. It's truly the most heavenly fall drink.

It's crisp and refreshing, with sweet apple cider and caramel flavor in every sip and just a little added warmth from the cinnamon.

The apples soak up the sangria while it chills, so don't forget to eat them!

☀️ How to make ahead of time

This sangria only needs 2-4 hours to chill, but it can also be made the day before a party. The trick is to make the base ahead and add the fruit closer to serving, so the apples stay crisp and don't brown.

Here's what to do the day before:

• Mix the base. Stir together the white wine, apple cider, vodka, caramel syrup, and vanilla in your pitcher until fully blended. Cover and refrigerate.
• Make the cinnamon sugar. Stir together the cinnamon and sugar for the rims and keep it covered at room temperature.

And then on the day you're serving it:

• Add the apples and cinnamon sticks 2-4 hours before you're ready to serve. Slice the apples, add them to the pitcher with the cinnamon sticks, and give it a good stir. Then let it chill, just like the regular recipe.
• Taste and adjust. Give the sangria a taste once it's chilled and add more caramel syrup if you'd like.
• Rim the glasses and add the seltzer right before serving. This keeps the caramel sauce or syrup on the rim from running and ensures every glass is fizzy.

⏲️ How to store

If you have leftover sangria, you can cover it and keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days.

The apple slices will start turning brown the longer they sit in the fridge, but you can simple replace with fresh slices when re-serving the sangria.

🎉 Variations on recipe

There are so many fun twists you can make to this caramel apple sangria depending on your personal tastes and preferences. Here are some ideas:

• Instead of regular vodka, try using caramel vodka. Vanilla vodka would be delicious, too.
• For a more "potent" and warmer sangria, you can use bourbon or spiced rum in place of the vodka.
• Instead of regular caramel syrup, use salted caramel syrup.
• If you have a strong red wine preference, you can replace the white wine with red. Pinot noir will work well.
• Instead of seltzer water, top the sangria with prosecco or ginger beer.
• Add sliced pears and fresh cranberries for even more of an autumnal feel.
• For more fall spices, add some star anise or whole cloves.
• Instead of a cinnamon sugar rim, use pumpkin pie spice.
• Drizzle caramel sauce inside the glass before pouring the sangria.
• For a mocktail version, omit the wine and vodka and replace it with sparkling apple cider.

🥃 More fall cocktail recipes

There's something so wonderful about a warming cocktail in the fall season, especially when they involve apples, pumpkin, or pears. Here are some of my favorites:

This Thanksgiving martini is also fabulous any time during the fall!

I've already made this caramel apple sangria several times this fall and am planning to make it straight through the Thanksgiving holiday.

It's perfect for serving to friends and makes an awesome party cocktail.

If you make it, comment below and let me know!

📖 Recipe