Easy Caramel Apple Sangria – Thanksgiving Recipe

Caramel Apple Sangria is the perfect white sangria for fall! White wine and apple cider are the base for this easy, crowd-pleasing fall sangria, and it’s perfect for Thanksgiving!

It’s “fall week” here at Blackberry Babe! I’ll be posted autumn inspired recipes all week long. Apples, pecans, caramel, and pumpkin everything! And, I’m kicking it off with this easy Caramel Apple Sangria recipe that’s the perfect Thanksgiving sangria!

The first recipe I’m posting is this Caramel Apple Sangria. This apple cider sangria recipe has become our annual Thanksgiving Sangria Recipe.

I first had this white wine sangria at a local winery here in Kansas City. And, I loved the idea, but I didn’t love the sangria when I tasted it! It was SO sweet that it was hard to drink more than one glass!

So, I set out to make a Caramel Apple Sangria recipe that was a bit lighter on the sugar and relied on mostly the natural sweetness of the crisp apples, and I think this version is JUST right!

I took this fall sangria recipe to a party this past weekend, and it was gone in no time. Even the guys liked it! 

I used a local apple cider from Louisburg Cider Mill, and I definitely think that fresh apple cider is best for this recipe and will give you the best flavor. If you can find some fresh, local cider at your grocery store, use it! You will taste the difference. 

Serving Suggestions

If you want to go all out on the caramel apple flavor, you could pair this autumn white sangria recipe with Caramel Apple Dip or Easy Caramel Apple Dump Cake!

Or, pair it with other fall flavors! I recommend this Easy Cranberry Harvest Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette, Easy Apple Cider Roasted Turkey Legs or my Skillet Apple Cider Chicken Thighs! For dessert, try this Easy Pumpkin Pie with Graham Cracker Crust or my Easy Pumpkin Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting!

What type of wine should I use for Caramel Apple Sangria? 

My preference, and what I recommend in the recipe below, is a dry white wine. I used a crisp white wine (Sauvignon Blanc), but I think Pinot Grigio would also work well! The dry white wine combined with the sweet apple cider and caramel flavoring was just right for me.

But, this is your sangria! If you’d like to use a sweeter wine, do so! A moscato or white zinfandel would work nicely.

Should I serve this white wine sangria hot or cold?

It’s up to you! I kept it chilled in the refrigerator until it was time to serve, so it was cold for appetizers and up to room temperature by Thanksgiving Dinner.

You can certainly heat it up, and it will taste great! Kind of like a mulled cider! But, make sure to heat this sangria gently, over low.

If it begins to boil, the alcohol starts to evaporate. We wouldn’t want that, would we? 🙂 

How do I make Caramel Apple Sangria? 

Making Caramel Apple Sangria is very simple! Simply find a large pitcher, jug or punch bowl. Combine all of the ingredients together.

I cut up fresh green and red apples into slices, and layered them into the pitcher.

You could also cut your apple pieces into small chunks.

How do I garnish my glass of white sangria?

If you’d like to provide a garnish for your guest’s cups, here are a few ideas:

• An apple slice on a stir stick
• An unwrapped caramel candy on a stir stick you could slide a piece of apple, or an unwrapped caramel onto a stir stick! 
• Whole cinnamon sticks
• Fresh cranberries (not to eat, but pretty for garnish)
• Orange slices
• Whole star anise
• A sugar rim

How can I modify this easy Thanksgiving Sangria recipe?

Of course, you can modify this recipe!Here are a few suggestions:

• Use cranberry juice for 1-2 cups of the apple juice, or another fruit juice of your choice.
• Add seasonal fruit for extra color.
• Replace some of the vodka with apple brandy.

If you love this recipe, check out my list of 10 Thanksgiving Cocktails to Truly be Thankful For! I know you’ll find the perfect Thanksgiving cocktail for turkey day on this list!