Fall in Love: Ina Garten’s Cozy Autumn Sangria Recipe

Autumn sangria transforms ordinary wine into a festive seasonal celebration that sparkles with warmth and spice.

This vibrant cocktail captures the essence of crisp fall afternoons with its rich, complex flavors.

Wine mingles beautifully with sweet apple notes and aromatic cinnamon, creating a drink that feels like a cozy sweater for your palate.

Each sip delivers a harmonious blend of fruity and spirited elements that dance across your taste buds.

The combination of robust red wine and seasonal ingredients makes this sangria more than just a beverage – it’s an experience.

Elegant yet approachable, this recipe invites you to embrace the comfort of autumn’s most delightful liquid companion: a truly irresistible autumn sangria.

Why Ina Garten’s Autumn Sangria is a Seasonal Staple

• Craft a Cozy Autumn Drink: This sangria captures the essence of fall with its warm, inviting blend of wine, brandy, and apple cider that instantly transports you to crisp autumn afternoons.
• Effortless Party Pleaser: The recipe requires minimal preparation, making it a stress-free option for entertaining guests or hosting seasonal gatherings with minimal kitchen effort.
• Customize Your Comfort: Flexible ingredients allow you to adjust the sweetness and strength to your exact preference, ensuring everyone can enjoy their perfect version of this delightful fall beverage.
• Prepare-Ahead Perfection: The sangria develops deeper, richer flavors when chilled for a few hours, making it an ideal make-ahead drink that actually improves with a little patience and time in the refrigerator.

What Goes into Ina’s Sangria

• Red Wine: Full-bodied red wine provides the primary liquid and flavor foundation for the sangria.
• Brandy: Rich spirit adds depth and warmth to the autumn sangria.
• Apple Cider: Fresh, seasonal cider brings natural sweetness and autumnal character.

• Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup offers a deep, rich sweetness with classic fall notes.

• Apples, Cinnamon Stick: Crisp apples and warming cinnamon create a quintessential autumn flavor profile.

• Water, Sparkling Water: Light liquid helps balance sweetness and adjust the drink's intensity.

Mixing Sangria the Ina Garten Way

Step 1: Gather Autumn Ingredients

• Red wine
• Brandy
• Apple cider
• Maple syrup
• Fresh apples
• Cinnamon stick
• Sparkling water (optional)

Step 2: Create Flavor Fusion

Pour wine, brandy, apple cider, and maple syrup into a large pitcher. Stir everything together until ingredients are beautifully blended.

Step 3: Add Autumn Charm

Slice crisp apples and drop them into the liquid. Gently place the cinnamon stick into the mixture for a warm, spicy undertone.

Step 4: Chill and Marinate

Tuck the pitcher into the refrigerator. Let the sangria rest and mingle its flavors for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight.

Step 5: Taste and Adjust

Before serving, do a quick flavor check. If the sangria feels too intense, splash in some sparkling water to soften the edges.

Step 6: Serve with Seasonal Flair

Pour over ice cubes for an extra refreshing experience. The cold will help balance the drink’s rich autumn character.

Pro Tip: This sangria gets more delicious as it sits, so don’t hesitate to make it ahead of time for your gathering!

Sangria Tips That’ll Impress Guests

• Choose Bold Wine Foundations: Select a robust Pinot Noir or Tempranillo with rich, deep flavors that can stand up to the autumn spices and fruits in the sangria.
• Master Flavor Fusion Time: Give the sangria a minimum of 2 hours chilling time, allowing the apples, oranges, and spices to infuse and create a harmonious, complex taste profile.
• Customize Your Pour: Taste the sangria just before serving and feel free to adjust the sweetness by adding a touch more honey or balancing the alcohol strength with a splash of sparkling water.
• Serve with Chill Factor: Pour the sangria over fresh ice cubes to keep the drink refreshingly cool and maintain its vibrant flavor complexity.
• Garnish Like a Pro: Float extra sliced apples, orange wheels, or a cinnamon stick in each glass to elevate the visual appeal and add an extra layer of autumn-inspired aromatics.

Storing Sangria to Keep It Crisp

• Cocktail Cubes: Freeze sangria in silicone ice cube trays for instant party-ready flavor boosters. Pop out cubes directly into glasses or use as cool flavor enhancers for future drinks.
• Vacuum Seal Method: Transfer remaining sangria into vacuum-sealed glass containers to maximize freshness. This technique prevents oxidation and preserves the vibrant fruit and wine flavors for up to a week.
• Glass Storage Hack: Select airtight glass pitchers with tight-fitting lids for storing sangria. Choose containers without strong odors that might contaminate the delicate wine blend, keeping ingredients crisp and aromatic.

Unique Sangria Variations from Ina

• Spiced Harvest Fusion: Replace brandy with bourbon for a deeper, smokier flavor profile that complements autumn fruits and warm spices.
• Citrus Mountain Splash: Add fresh orange slices and swap maple syrup with honey to introduce a bright, zesty undertone that balances the rich wine base.
• Berry Winter Warmth: Incorporate cranberries and pomegranate seeds for extra seasonal color and tart complexity, creating a more robust sangria experience.
• Herbal Country Blend: Infuse fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs during chilling to introduce subtle earthy notes that enhance the existing apple and cinnamon elements.

Toasting to the Sangria Finish

Ina Garten’s Autumn Sangria emerges as liquid poetry, blending seasonal warmth with sophisticated flavor profiles.

Wine enthusiasts will discover complex layers of apple, cinnamon, and maple notes dancing through each glass.

Classic cocktail traditions meet contemporary creativity in this memorable libation.

Rich seasonal ingredients intertwine seamlessly, creating sensory memories of crisp autumn afternoons.

Pitch this recipe at weekend gatherings, family celebrations, or quiet evening relaxations.

Passionate cocktail crafters – share this recipe, like the post, comment with your unique twists, and spread seasonal cheer through this delightful beverage experience.

Ina Garten Autumn Sangria Recipe

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4.9 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s Autumn Sangria sparkles with seasonal charm, blending crisp apple cider, warm spices, and bold red wine into a festive cocktail. Guests will savor this elegant drink that perfectly captures fall’s rich flavors and inviting spirit.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 (750 milliliters / 25.4 fluid ounces) bottle of Pinot Noir or Tempranillo
• 2 cups apple cider
• ½ cup brandy or Grand Marnier
• 3 apples, sliced or diced

Spices and Sweeteners:

• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup, if needed

Rim Garnish:

• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 orange wedge

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Instructions

1. In a spacious pitcher, blend the wine, brandy, cider, and maple syrup (optional) until ingredients are thoroughly integrated, creating a harmonious base for the beverage.
2. Gently fold the sliced apples and cinnamon stick into the liquid mixture, ensuring even distribution of flavors.
3. Refrigerate the prepared blend for a minimum of 2 hours, allowing the ingredients to macerate and develop a rich, complex taste profile. Longer chilling time will enhance the overall flavor intensity.
4. Before serving, conduct a taste test to assess the beverage’s balance. If the mixture appears overly concentrated or sweet, dilute with approximately of water or sparkling water to achieve the desired palatability.
5. For optimal serving, consider presenting the drink over ice cubes, which will further refine the sweetness and potency, creating a refreshing and well-balanced beverage experience.

Notes

• Opt for robust red wines with fruity undertones that complement the citrus and spice elements.
• Macerate fresh fruits overnight to intensify their natural sweetness and release deeper flavor profiles.
• Prepare sangria a day ahead to allow complex flavor development and smoother blend of ingredients.
• Experiment with seasonal fruit variations like peaches in summer or pomegranate seeds in winter for unique twists.
• Consider non-alcoholic alternatives using grape juice or sparkling water for inclusive gatherings.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 120 minutes
• Category: Drinks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 220 kcal
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 5 mg
• Fat: 0.5 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0.4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 0.2 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg