Hard Cider Sangria Is the Last-Minute Entertainer's Best Friend

Chances are, you already have the ingredients for this fall- and winter-friendly sangria in your fridge and pantry, which is just one reason why it’s such a perfect recipe for last-minute gatherings and parties. With a splash of tart hard cider to add bubbles and extra acidity, this sweet, apple-forward sangria is our definition of a crowd-pleaser. You can serve it in coupe glasses, glass mugs, or Champagne flutes. — Oset Babür-Winter

Frequently asked questions

What is the best brandy?

“Apple is one of the most widespread — and exciting — categories of American brandy, but distillers all over the country, from New York to California are reinvigorating and reimagining what’s possible,” writes Food & Wine contributor Brian Freedman. “Ukiah-based Charbay, for example, produces two different brandies, one made from Folle Blanche and the other from Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Oregon’s Clear Creek Distillery makes pear brandy from local fruit. The range of possibilities being explored is broad and impressive.”

What other hard cider cocktails should you make?

Once you’ve made a batch of hard cider sangria, we recommend trying your hand at this tart, wine-based Far From the Tree cocktail, as well as the Upset the Applecart, which calls for ginger syrup, chai, and lemon juice, in addition to apple brandy.

What is the difference between Cognac and brandy?

Brandy and Cognac are similar, but not quite the same. Think of brandy as the umbrella category that comprises spirits that have been distilled from fruit — by definition, either grapes or the fermented juice of another fruit — including Cognac. "In virtually any good Cognac, you will find an initial burst of fruit due to its grape base; a round, supple smoothness, as wood transforms the brandy; and true nuance, thanks to the careful art of blending the refined spirit," writes Food & Wine contributor Carey Jones.

Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen

You’ll notice that this recipe doesn’t specify a specific brand or flavor of hard cider. Feel free to experiment with pear cider for a slightly more bittersweet sangria, or really lean into the apple flavor by opting for a hard apple cider. We’re also fond of using dry rosé cider to add floral, strawberry notes to the final mix.