Description

A cozy, spiced sangria made with cheap red wine, apple cider, and fresh fruit. This budget-friendly recipe stretches a single bottle of wine to serve eight, offering a sophisticated autumn flavor for less than a dollar per glass.

Ingredients

Scale

1 bottle (750ml) dry red wine (such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot)
2 cups (480 ml) apple cider or 100% apple juice
2 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), diced
1 large orange, sliced into rounds
3 cinnamon sticks
2 tablespoons brown sugar (optional, adjust based on cider sweetness)
1/2 cup (120 ml) bourbon or dark rum (optional)

Instructions

Wash the oranges and apples thoroughly. Slice the orange into thin rounds and dice the apples into small, bite-sized cubes.
Place the cinnamon sticks in the bottom of a large pitcher. If using brown sugar, sprinkle it over the cinnamon. Gently press down on the sticks with a wooden spoon to release essential oils.
Pour in the red wine and apple cider. Stir gently to dissolve the brown sugar if added.
Add the diced apples and orange slices to the pitcher. Stir to ensure the fruit is submerged in the liquid.
Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight, to allow flavors to meld.
Before serving, give the sangria a final stir. Taste and adjust with water or lemon juice if needed. Pour over ice and garnish with a cinnamon stick or apple slice.

Notes

This recipe is forgiving and works with various types of cheap red wine. The fruit can be eaten after drinking the liquid. Do not freeze, as the fruit texture will become mushy. For a non-alcoholic version, omit the wine and bourbon, adding extra cider and a splash of grape juice for color.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Beverage
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 glass
Calories: 180
Sugar: 18
Sodium: 5
Carbohydrates: 22
Protein: 0.5

Keywords: sangria, apple cider, red wine, fall cocktail, budget recipe, easy drinks, autumn, party drinks, gluten-free, vegan