Description
A warm, spiced, and visually stunning holiday cocktail that combines apple cider, caramel sauce, and spiced rum. This easy-to-make drink is perfect for fall and winter gatherings, offering a cozy, dessert-like experience with minimal prep time.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 gallon (3.78L) fresh-pressed apple cider
- 1.5 to 2 cups (350-475ml) spiced rum
- ½ cup (120ml) brandy or cognac
- ¼ cup (60ml) apple brandy (Calvados)
- ¾ cup (180ml) high-quality caramel sauce
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream (optional)
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- Fresh apple slices (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- Cinnamon sticks
- Star anise pods (optional)
- Lime wedges (for rimming glasses)
Instructions
- Prepare the glasses by running a lime wedge around the rim and dipping them into a mixture of granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Set aside.
- Pour the apple cider into a large pitcher or punch bowl.
- Add the spiced rum, brandy, and apple brandy to the cider and stir gently to combine.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk about ¼ cup of the warm cider into the caramel sauce to thin it out.
- Pour the thinned caramel mixture back into the main pitcher and stir well until the liquid is a uniform golden amber color.
- Add fresh apple slices, cinnamon sticks, and star anise to the pitcher.
- Let the sangria sit for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld, or refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
- Before serving, give the sangria a good stir to redistribute the caramel.
- Serve in cinnamon-rimmed glasses. For a warm version, gently heat the pitcher on the stove over low heat without boiling. For cold, add ice cubes.
- Top with a splash of heavy cream if desired, and garnish with an apple slice and cinnamon stick.
Notes
Do not use apple juice as it lacks the tartness and body of cider. Always temper the caramel by mixing it with a small amount of warm cider first to prevent clumping. The drink improves with age; make it 4-6 hours ahead for best flavor. For a non-alcoholic version, omit the spirits and serve as a warm cider float with vanilla ice cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Beverages
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 oz
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 18
- Carbohydrates: 22
Keywords: caramel apple cider sangria, holiday drinks, fall cocktails, winter party drinks, easy sangria recipe, spiced rum cocktail, warm cider drink