Cranberry Apple Cider Orange Sangria
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Cranberry Apple Cider Orange Sangria
This Cranberry Apple Cider Orange Sangria is the ultimate way to welcome the Fall and holiday season! Bursting with the cozy flavors of apple cider, oranges, cranberries, and a hint of lemon, it’s a perfectly refreshing non-alcoholic drink to toast the season. Alcoholic Option.
I couldn’t let the holiday season pass without sharing this Cranberry Apple Cider Orange Sangria! It’s basically the holidays in a glass—super easy to whip up but bursting with festive flavors that feel so essential this time of year. My husband and son are completely obsessed, and I don’t blame them. The combination of tart cranberry, sweet apple cider, and zesty orange is pure magic. While I love it just as it is, a splash of ginger beer or even a little alcohol can easily turn it into a more traditional option for your holiday table.
If you’ve been enjoying my other holiday mocktails, like the Apple Cider Mocktail made with my homemade apple cider, this sangria is another must-try! It’s perfect for gatherings or cozy nights at home, and it’s just as customizable as the rest of my holiday favorites. You can even add fresh herbs or swap in pomegranate for a fun twist. Whatever you choose, this mocktail will definitely bring the holiday vibes!
Jump to:
- What Is Sangria?
- Why You Will LOVE This Cranberry Apple Cider Orange Sangria
- Ingredients For Cranberry Apple Cider Orange Sangria
- How To Make Cranberry Simple Syrup
- Perfect Occasions For This Cranberry Apple Cider Orange Sangria
- How to Make Clear Ice Cubes Without A Clear Ice Cube Mold
- Cranberry Apple Cider Orange Sangria Q + A's
- More Festive Drink Recipes
- MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
- Cranberry Apple Cider Orange Sangria
What Is Sangria?
Sangria is a fruity, refreshing drink that originated in Spain and Portugal, traditionally made with red wine, fresh fruit, and a splash of something extra like brandy or liqueur. My version, Cranberry Apple Cider Orange Sangria, is non-alcoholic, packed with cozy fall flavors, and perfect for everyone to enjoy. Want to make it boozy? Just add wine, Prosecco, or your favorite spirit for a festive twist!
Why You Will LOVE This Cranberry Apple Cider Orange Sangria
- Perfect for any time of day or night!
- It's very similar to the real 'feel' of a cocktail
- Customizable with your favorite garnishes
- Fruity & refreshing
- Bursting with fresh orange + apple flavor
- Perfect for sipping on during lazy afternoons or cozy nights at home.
- A crowd-pleaser for kids + adults alike.
Ingredients For Cranberry Apple Cider Orange Sangria
Here is everything you need for this cozy festive drink:
SANGRIA:
- Apple cider. Homemade or store-bought. See my delicious homemade version HERE!
- Oranges. Freshly-squeezed.
- Whole cranberries. Fresh or frozen works!
- Lemon juice. Freshly-squeezed gives the freshest flavors.
- Cranberry simple syrup. See below for how to make your own!
- Ice. Crushed or cubes.
- Ginger beer. For topping. (I love to use Olipop)
GARNISH:
- Orange slices
- Apple slices
How To Make Cranberry Simple Syrup
In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, add the water, cranberries, sugar, and orange peels, stirring it together and bring to a boil for 1-2 minutes. Let it boil for another 3-4 minutes as cranberries should begin "popping" at this point. Remove from heat and let everything cool completely.
INGREDIENTS:
- Water. For the syrupy consistency.
- Whole cranberries. Fresh or frozen.
- Organic cane sugar. For sweetness.
- Peeled skin of orange. This adds a nice light zesty flavor.
SHOP MY FAVORITE DRINKWARE ITEMS AND ACCESSORIES!
Here, I’ve curated a list of drinkware and mocktail essentials that I use to achieve my favorite drinking experiences, especially with this Cranberry Apple Cider Orange Sangria recipe. Everything from my fave glassware, cocktail shakers, ice cube trays, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
Perfect Occasions For This Cranberry Apple Cider Orange Sangria
- Holiday gatherings
- Thanksgiving dinner
- Fall + winter cozy brunches
- Casual get-togethers
- Potlucks
How to Make Clear Ice Cubes Without A Clear Ice Cube Mold
One of the greatest phenomenons when it comes to ice cubes has been seeing super clear ice cubes from those clear ice cube systems or molds and wanting to try it, but not necessarily wanting to have a huge contraption in my freezer. Haha. Anyone else feel my pain? Whelp, no need to worry----I've done my research and tested it out a bit and have found some solutions to help those of us who don't have any fancy system to making clear ice cubes. Here are a few ways:
Tip #1: It's best to use water that is distilled or super-filtered to avoid gasses and dissolved oxygen, which are the two things that cause our ice to "fog up" when frozen.
Tip #2: Boil your water and freeze your water hot. Again, much to my previous point, this removes any dissolved oxygen or gasses. Just be sure to carefully pour the hot water into your ice cube tray or mold-----preferably one made from materials that naturally insulates like silicone. Also, ensure that your tray lays FLAT while freezing.
Tip #3: Slow freeze your ice cubes. This should be done for about 24 hours, which allows any impurities to be forced out of the ice---resulting in much clearer ice.
Cranberry Apple Cider Orange Sangria Q + A's
For leftovers, tightly seal the top of pitcher with plastic wrap and keep it refrigerated for up to 5 days for optimal freshness.
This recipe serves about four. But you’ll probably want more Cranberry Apple Cider Orange Sangria, and I can’t blame you! You can easily double or triple the recipe to serve a crowd.
Yes, you can spruce things up with alcohol, feel free to add 1 ounce of rum, vodka, etc.
Fresh-pressed, unfiltered apple cider works best for a rich, cozy flavor. If you only have regular apple juice, you can still use it, but the flavor will be slightly less robust.
More Festive Drink Recipes
If you're a mocktail lover and enjoyed this Cranberry Apple Cider Orange Sangria recipe, you'll adore trying these next:
- Best White Russian Mocktail
- Pear Ginger Lemon + Thyme Drink
- Simple Lime Rickey Mocktail
- Jamaican Rum Cream
- Vegan Caramel Eggnog
- Ultimate Holiday Mocktail
- Chocolate Peppermint Mocktail
- Sugar Cookie Mocktail
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
If you tried this Cranberry Apple Cider Orange Sangria recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!
Cranberry Apple Cider Orange Sangria
Ingredients
CRANBERRY SIMPLE SYRUP:
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 cup whole cranberries, fresh or frozen
- ½ cup organic cane sugar
- peeled skin of 1 orange
SANGRIA:
- 4 cups apple cider, homemade or store-bought
- 2 oranges, freshly-squeezed
- 1 cup whole cranberries, fresh or frozen
- 2 Tbsps freshly-squeezed lemon juice
- Cranberry Simple Syrup
- Ice, crushed or cubes
- Ginger beer, for topping (optional)
GARNISH:
- Orange slices
- Apple slices
Instructions
TO MAKE THE CRANBERRY SIMPLE SYRUP:
- In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, add the water, cranberries, sugar, and orange peels, stirring it together and bring to a boil for 1-2 minutes. Let it boil for another 3-4 minutes as cranberries should begin "popping" at this point. Remove from heat and let everything cool completely.
TO MAKE THE SANGRIA:
- In a pitcher, add the apple cider, freshly-squeezed orange juice, cranberries, lemon juice, and cooled cranberry simple syrup, stirring everything together until combined. Add in sliced oranges and apples. NOTE: For best results, chill the sangria in the refrigerator for about 2 hours or so.
- TO SERVE: Prepare your glass(es), add ice and pour sangria (including a bit of sliced fruit) until filled (unless using ginger beer as topping). NOTE: You can always top things off with ginger beer for a bit of fizz or alcohol, if desired.
- Sip and Enjoy!
Tips & Tricks
- STORAGE: For leftovers, tightly seal the top of pitcher with plastic wrap and keep refrigerated for up to 5 days for optimal freshness.
- SERVING SIZE: To make additional batches of sangria, simply double or triple ingredients, depending on need.
- APPLES: Best apples to use for this latte are: Granny Smith, Gala, Honeycrisp, Fuji, etc.
- ALCOHOL: If you'd like to keep this recipe dairy-free, but want to spruce things up with alcohol, feel free to add 1 ounce of rum, vodka, etc.
- EQUIPMENT: Here, I’ve curated a list of drinkware and mocktail essentials that I use to achieve my favorite drinking experiences, especially with this Cranberry Apple Cider Orange Sangria. Everything from my fave glassware, cocktail shakers, ice cube trays, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
Nutrition
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Cranberry Apple Cider Orange Sangria.
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