This fall-spiced sangria drink is fresh and simple, with warm and crisp flavors like elderberry, apples and cinnamon.
Last weekend, I decided I needed some girl time — can’t blame me with six boys in the house, right? So, I invited a few girlfriends over to sit by the fire.
I made a few light snacks for us to munch on, like my elderberry shortbread bars and the most incredible baked brie dip with honey and pecans (I could eat this entirely by myself, but I love these ladies — so I shared). I also thought it would be fun to whip up a fall-themed drink to go along with our snacks! Especially since it’s really feeling like fall lately.
Apple cider sangria is one of my absolute favorite fall drinks, so I decided to make a big ole’ glass pitcher and add in my organic elderberry syrup for a fun twist.
Best. Decision. EVER!
It only took 5 minutes to make — not kidding. After taste-testing (a full glass is a taste, right?), I had to put the pitcher in my fridge to get that thing out of sight and out of mind. Seriously, it’s that delicious.
Just in case you don’t know me yet…
Hi, I’m Lindsey — Elderberry Queen
I just wanted to introduce myself in case you’re new around here or we haven’t met yet!
You might be wondering how a mom like me got into this business to begin with. It all started with my big, beautiful family. I've got a crew of kiddos (five to be exact), and it seemed like they were catching EVERY BUG in town. Doctor's visits and medicine runs were draining my energy and our bank account.
That's when I decided to take things into my own hands. I put on my homemade cape and whipped up an organic elderberry syrup recipe because there was no way I was paying those BIG PRICES I saw from other companies. We just couldn’t afford it!
I also care about keeping things natural and organic. I wanted something to help my little ones stay healthy without weird chemicals or additives. So, I rolled up my sleeves, hit the kitchen and crafted my very own elderberry syrup.
No fancy labs or mysterious ingredients — just pure, organic goodness.
Little did I know, this homemade concoction would become my secret weapon against those pesky colds and sniffles. We take a simple dose every single morning (not just during cold and flu season) along with our multivitamins. The transformation around here is just mind-blowing.
Not only do we RARELY get sick, but when we do catch something… we seem to kick it in half the time.
We have less:
- Coughing through the night
- Snotty noses
- Missed school days
Good gracious, YES!
I wanted more families to experience this natural goodness, and since I couldn’t find another truly clean organic elderberry syrup — I started this company. Woman-owned, women-run, and a small family business at that… that’s who we are!
My family loves the flavors of my syrup so much I started baking and cooking with it, creating glazes and adding them to some of our favorite recipes to give them a nice little immune boost. My family can’t get enough! This is how my recipe blog was born: a compilation of my favorite recipes that your family is sure to love, too!
So when it’s a girls' night, and you’re craving a good apple cider sangria, why not turn it into an Elderberry Cider Sangria? Am I right?!
All you need is simple ingredients and five minutes to make a pitcher of this sweet and crisp fall sangria. Let’s do this!
Fall Elderberry Cider Sangria Ingredients
Here are the key ingredients for this delicious, fall-themed, spiced sangria.
WHITE WINE: I’m using Pinot Grigio in this recipe. If you’re a red wine person, feel free to use that instead.
APPLE CIDER: What’s a cider sangria without the apple cider? You’ll need 2 cups for one pitcher of this sangria.
APPLES: I love Honeycrisp apples. In my eyes, no other apple even compares when it comes to flavor and that fall feeling. Plus, they’re very crispy, making a nice treat when you get to the bottom of your glass.
CINNAMON STICKS: Not ground cinnamon, trust me on this one. Go for sticks so they can infuse their flavor without the spice floating in your cup.
ORGANIC ELDERBERRY SYRUP: We can’t forget the star of this yummy fall drink — a splash of immune-boosting elderberry syrup. The fall spices and the slight tartness of the elderberries make it irresistible.
You might have most of these ingredients already in your kitchen. Now, let’s make a pitcher so it can sit and infuse for a bit.
How to Make This Fall Sangria Recipe
Get ready for the EASIEST directions ever.
STEP 1: Combine all ingredients into a glass pitcher and stir, stir, stir!
STEP 2: Set your pitcher in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours. This is to infuse the wine and fruit with all those fall flavors.
STEP 3: Pour into glasses, sit back and sip away by a cozy fire or curled up with a fuzzy blanket.
Five minutes, that’s all it takes. If you’re making this for a girls' night or a get-together, prepare for the constant requests to make this for all future events! It’s that good.
While sitting by the fire with my girlfriends, it disappeared faster than I thought it could. So consider making two pitchers depending on how many people you’re entertaining.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few common questions I’ve been asked about this recipe.
Should I Peel the Fruit?
I tried peeling the fruit once. It took way longer, and I didn’t notice a difference in flavor. So it’s entirely up to you, but not necessary.
Does It Keep Well?
It will stay good in the fridge for 2-3 days, but it starts to ferment and taste a little off any longer than that. Honestly, I don’t see you having any of this fall sangria left over!
Why Add in Elderberry Syrup?
Studies show that elderberries can help your immune system stay healthy and shorten the duration of colds and the flu. So, we regularly consume elderberry syrup to support our overall health and keep those nasty bugs away.
Let me know if you have any other questions about this recipe. Feel free to email me personally at lindsey@elderberryqueen.net or DM us on either Instagram or Facebook.
Easy Recipes You’ll Love
If you've fallen head over heels for this Fall Elderberry Cider Sangria recipe, you're in for a treat!
My passion for crafting simple, delicious concoctions doesn't stop here. I've got a whole treasure trove of easy recipes waiting for you on my blog. From hearty comfort food to sweet treats and everything in between, there's something for every palate and occasion.
But it's more than just the recipes. It's about the joy of sharing homemade goodness with loved ones (yes, that includes you).
So, if you've got a soft spot for homemade meals, desserts, and snacks that are big on flavor, nourishing, and don't require hours in the kitchen — my recipe blog is your culinary oasis.
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