Apple Cider Sangria

Sangria is one of my favorite cocktails to make (and to drink) because there are so many different ways to make it, using different fruits, juices, wines and liquors, the possibilities are endless. It’s also one of my favorite cocktails to serve at a party, setting up a do-it-yourself sangria bar is a fun way to get your friends involved, and also give you a break from the bar! But when people think about sangria it’s usually in the warmer weather, and almost always with wine. So this time we’re switching things up and making an Apple Cider Sangria that’s going to completely change the way you think about making your next pitcher! This sangria only takes minutes to put together too…get a pitcher and throw in your ingredients (the order of adding in the ingredients really does not matter at all). So throw in your sliced fruit, a few cinnamon sticks, a few star anise and pomegranate seeds. Pomegranates can be a messy thing to work with, so be really smart and buy the seeds in a jar in your produce section!

Ingredients:
2 small pears, thinly sliced
2 small apples, thinly sliced
1 medium lemon, cut into wedges
½ cup pomegranate seeds
2 cups apple cider
½ cup apple whiskey (or regular whiskey)
¼ cup brandy
1½ cups sparkling white wine or Prosecco (can sub sparkling cider)
cinnamon sticks and star anise, for garnish

Instructions:
To a large pitcher, add pear, apple, lemon and pomegranate seeds. Pour apple cider into the pitcher, followed by apple whiskey and brandy. Refrigerate for a few hours, and then add the sparkling wine right before serving). Pour chilled sangria into glasses, making sure to get plenty of fruit in each glass. Garnish each glass with a cinnamon stick and a star anise.

Notes:
Star anise can be found in the spice aisle.
Optional: If you want the cinnamon sticks and star anise to marinate with the sangria while chilling, you can totally do that instead of using those as a garnish.

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