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Caramel Apple Sangria

Caramel apple sangria with chilled pinot grigio, apple cider, and caramel vodka for a lightly spiced, fruit-packed drink. Chill for at least 2 hours so the apple and pear slices soak up the caramel-cinnamon flavor, then top with ginger ale for lift.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
chilling 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Drink
Cuisine: American
Calories: 340
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pinot grigio chilled
  • 1 bottle (750 ml) pinot grigio Chill until very cold for a crisp, refreshing sangria.
Apple cider and caramel
  • 2 cup apple cider Use sweet apple cider for a more pronounced caramel-apple flavor.
  • 0.5 cup caramel vodka or caramel sauce If using caramel sauce, whisk thoroughly to help it disperse.
Fruit and spices
  • 2 apples Thinly slice so they soak up the flavor quickly.
  • 1 pear Thinly slice for even fruit distribution.
  • 3 cinnamon sticks Add whole sticks for warm spice notes throughout the pitcher.
Fizzy topper
  • 1 cup ginger ale or club soda Chill as well, and add right before serving to keep it bubbly.
Rim
  • Caramel sauce and coarse sugar for rimming glasses Dip rims in caramel, then coarse sugar; prep just before serving.

Equipment

  • 1 pitcher

Method
 

Mix the base
  1. Combine the pinot grigio, apple cider, and caramel vodka in a large pitcher, whisking well if using caramel sauce.
  2. Add the thinly sliced apples, pear slices, and cinnamon sticks to the pitcher and gently stir to distribute the fruit.
Chill
  1. Chill the sangria at least 2 hours so the fruit soaks up the flavor.
Rim and serve
  1. Dip the glass rims in caramel, then in coarse sugar to coat the edges.
  2. Top the pitcher with ginger ale just before serving, then pour over ice with some fruit in each glass.

Notes

Pro tip: slice the apple and pear very thin so they soften slightly and release more flavor during the 2-hour chill. Refrigerate covered up to 2 days, but add ginger ale only right before serving for best fizz; freezing is not recommended. For a lower-alcohol option, use extra apple cider in place of the caramel vodka while keeping the chill time the same.