Red Wine Apple Cider Sangria with Cardamom and Star Anise
Fruity red wine, apple cider and orange liqueur infused with honeycrisp apples, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and star anise. Ready after 30 minutes in the fridge.
Red Wine Apple Cider Sangria with Cardamom and Star Anise
Course: DrinksDifficulty: Easy6
servings15
minutes30
minutesFruity red wine, apple cider and orange liqueur infused with honeycrisp apples, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and star anise. Ready after 30 minutes in the fridge.
Ingredients
1 bottle (750 ml) fruity red wine
12 ounces apple cider
4 ounces orange liqueur
2 honeycrisp apples, sliced
4 cardamom pods, crushed
4 whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
1 extra honeycrisp apple, sliced, for garnish
3 extra cinnamon sticks, for garnish
3 extra star anise, for garnish
4 cups ice, for the glasses
Directions
- Slice the two honeycrisp apples and crush the cardamom pods with the flat of a knife.
- Add the red wine and apple cider to a large pitcher.
- Pour in the orange liqueur.
- Add the sliced apples, crushed cardamom pods, whole cloves, cinnamon sticks and star anise.
- Stir the mixture well to make sure the flavors are combined.
- Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight, to let the flavors meld.
- When ready to serve, fill glasses with ice.
- Pour the chilled sangria over the ice, with a few apple slices in each glass.
- Garnish each glass with a cinnamon stick, a star anise and an extra apple slice.
- Serve right away.
Notes
- For a drink without alcohol, use dark grape juice for the wine, extra cider for the liqueur and a splash of orange juice. Take the whole spices out after the first night, since the cloves turn bitter. Covered in the fridge it keeps for about 3 days. For a longer infusion, mix it in the morning and serve it at dinner.
Whole spices make the flavor
Cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and star anise turn a simple red wine and cider mix into something deeper. Crush the cardamom pods first so the seeds open. Thirty minutes in the fridge is enough for a quick pour.
Honeycrisp apples stay crisp in the liquid.
Swaps and a warning
Ground cinnamon does not replace sticks. It clouds the drink. Use fewer cloves if you are unsure. Cranberry juice can replace some cider.
If you leave the spices in overnight, pull them out. Cloves turn bitter and take over.
Serving and storing
Serve with sharp cheese, roasted chestnuts or a spiced cake. Covered in the fridge, it keeps for a few days.
Pick good apples
Honeycrisp is worth the price here. Softer apples collapse in the wine and make the pitcher cloudy. Keep the extra sliced apple for the glass, where it looks fresh. Crush the cardamom lightly, since pounding it to powder clouds the drink. Serve the sangria cold, in wide glasses, with a cinnamon stick.
Red Wine Apple Cider Sangria with Cardamom and Star Anise at a glance
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Servings: 6 servings
- Ingredients: 12, led by bottle (750 ml) fruity red wine, apple cider, orange liqueur, honeycrisp apples
Tips for Red Wine Apple Cider Sangria with Cardamom and Star Anise
For a drink without alcohol, use dark grape juice for the wine, extra cider for the liqueur and a splash of orange juice. Take the whole spices out after the first night, since the cloves turn bitter. Covered in the fridge it keeps for about 3 days. For a longer infusion, mix it in the morning and serve it at dinner.
Red Wine Apple Cider Sangria with Cardamom and Star Anise FAQ
How many people does Red Wine Apple Cider Sangria with Cardamom and Star Anise serve?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What do I need to make Red Wine Apple Cider Sangria with Cardamom and Star Anise?
12 ingredients, led by bottle (750 ml) fruity red wine, apple cider, orange liqueur, honeycrisp apples. Amounts are in the recipe card above.
Part of: 25 Easy Fall Sangria Recipes for Thanksgiving and Cozy Nights
