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Caramel Apple Sangria

Caramel Apple Sangria is a chilled American drink with apple-and-pear slices and cinnamon sticks, finished with ginger ale over ice. The caramel-rim glasses add sweet crunch, while the fruit soaks up the wine and caramel flavor for a balanced, fruity sip.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Chill 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Drink
Cuisine: American
Calories: 220

Ingredients
  

Caramel Apple Sangria base
  • 1 bottle (750 ml) pinot grigio Chilled
  • 2 cup apple cider
  • 0.5 cup caramel vodka Or use caramel sauce instead
  • 1 cup ginger ale Or club soda; chilled
Fruit and flavor
  • 2 apples Thinly sliced
  • 1 pear Thinly sliced
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
For the caramel rims
  • 0.25 caramel sauce For dipping rims
  • 0.5 coarse sugar For rimming glasses

Equipment

  • 1 pitcher

Method
 

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

Notes

Pro tip: Add ginger ale (or club soda) right before serving to keep the sangria lively. Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days; it’s not ideal to freeze because the fruit texture softens. For a lower-sugar option, swap the caramel vodka for a smaller amount of caramel sauce (or use a sugar-reduced caramel) so the flavor stays caramel-forward without as much sweetness.