Spiced Apple and Pear White Sangria: Your Perfect Fall & Winter Cocktail Recipe

Embrace the cozy charm of the colder months with this delightful Spiced Apple and Pear White Sangria. A true celebration of seasonal flavors, this exquisite beverage is infused with aromatic cinnamon, crisp apples, and sweet pears, making it an ideal choice for any autumn or winter gathering. Preparing this impressive cocktail is surprisingly simple, requiring only a handful of readily available ingredients. Whether you’re hosting an intimate dinner party or a larger holiday celebration, this recipe can be easily scaled up to serve a crowd, ensuring everyone enjoys a taste of this festive concoction. Its vibrant fruit flavors, subtly spiced warmth, and refreshing finish make it an instant favorite that captures the essence of the season in every sip.

This white sangria stands out from traditional red varieties, offering a lighter, brighter profile that perfectly highlights the delicate nuances of apple and pear. It’s not just a drink; it’s an experience that brings warmth and joy to your table. The blend of sweet fruit, crisp white wine, and warming spices creates a harmonious balance that is both comforting and invigorating. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleasing cocktail that’s elegant enough for special occasions yet simple enough for a casual get-together. Get ready to impress your guests with this beautifully crafted, easy-to-make sangria that truly embodies the spirit of fall and winter.

I absolutely adore seasonal cocktails that masterfully utilize the freshest ingredients nature has to offer. This Spiced Apple and Pear White Sangria is a prime example, marrying the natural sweetness of crisp apples and succulent pears with a thoughtfully chosen array of liquids. The base features a delightful white wine, complemented by the rich notes of pear liqueur and the refreshing tang of fresh apple cider. A unique touch of ginger beer adds a subtle kick, elevating the entire flavor profile. The result is a truly exquisite and well-rounded drink that is exceptionally well-suited for the crisp days of Fall and the celebratory evenings of Winter, making it a staple for your holiday entertaining.

What makes this sangria particularly special is its ability to evoke the comforting aromas and tastes of the cooler seasons. The subtle hint of cinnamon, infused directly from cinnamon sticks, adds a layer of warmth that transforms a simple fruit-and-wine mixture into a sophisticated seasonal treat. It’s a versatile drink that pairs wonderfully with a variety of seasonal dishes, from hearty roasted meats to light appetizers, and even festive desserts. Its light body and bright flavors make it a refreshing alternative to heavier, creamier holiday drinks, ensuring your guests stay energized and delighted throughout your event. Prepare to fall in love with its irresistible blend of sweet, spicy, and fruity notes!

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Essential Ingredients for Your Spiced Apple and Pear White Sangria

Crafting this elegant apple and pear sangria is straightforward when you have the right components. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in building the layered flavor profile that makes this drink so captivating. Here’s a detailed look at what you will need, along with tips for selecting the best quality to ensure your sangria is nothing short of spectacular.

• White Wine: The foundation of our sangria. For a perfectly balanced drink that highlights the fruit without being overly sweet, we highly recommend selecting a dry or crisp white wine. Excellent choices include a light and refreshing Pinot Grigio, known for its bright acidity and subtle citrus notes, or a zesty Sauvignon Blanc, which offers vibrant herbal and fruity undertones. These varieties complement the sweetness of the apples and pears beautifully, creating a harmonious blend. Avoid heavily oaked Chardonnays or very sweet dessert wines, as they can overpower the delicate fruit and spice flavors. A good quality, inexpensive wine will work wonderfully here, as it will be infused with other flavors.
• Apples: The star fruit that brings natural sweetness and a lovely crisp texture. Opt for good sweet apples that hold their shape well in liquid. My personal favorites for this recipe are Honeycrisp and Gala varieties, renowned for their delightful sweetness and satisfying crunch. Other excellent choices include Fuji or Pink Lady apples. Whichever variety you choose, ensure it’s an apple you genuinely enjoy eating, as its flavor will be prominent in the sangria. Leaving the skin on adds a beautiful pop of color and extra fiber.
• Pears: Lending a delicate sweetness and a wonderfully soft texture, pears are essential to this sangria’s character. Bosc or Bartlett varieties are highly recommended due to their superior sweetness and firm flesh, which prevents them from becoming mushy when steeped in wine. Anjou pears are another viable option. Choose pears that are ripe but still firm to the touch for the best results.
• Pear Liqueur: This ingredient is a game-changer, intensifying the pear flavor and adding a layer of sophisticated sweetness. I cannot emphasize enough how much I recommend this particular Spiced Pear Liqueur from St. George Spirits. Its aroma alone is like “Fall in a bottle,” bringing warm, inviting notes that perfectly marry with the other ingredients. If unavailable, a good quality apple brandy or a regular pear brandy can be a suitable alternative to maintain the fruit essence.
• Fresh Apple Cider: More than just a sweetener, apple cider enhances the overall apple flavor, adding a rich, autumnal depth that apple juice simply can’t replicate. Its slightly tart and robust character balances the sweetness of the fruit and wine, making the sangria incredibly refreshing. Ensure you use fresh, unfiltered apple cider for the best flavor.
• Ginger Beer: This provides a fantastic, invigorating kick and a spicy warmth that perfectly complements the cinnamon and fruit. Ginger beer boasts a more intense, spicier ginger flavor compared to ginger ale. If you prefer a milder ginger note or a less alcoholic option (some ginger beers contain a trace amount of alcohol), you can easily substitute it with ginger ale for a gentler effervescence and sweetness.
• Cinnamon Sticks: Essential for infusing the drink with a warm, festive spice. Using whole cinnamon sticks is crucial as they slowly release their aroma and flavor into the sangria over time, creating a nuanced spice profile without overwhelming the fruit. They also add a beautiful visual element to your pitcher and glasses. Avoid ground cinnamon, which can make the drink cloudy and grainy.

For precise measurements and a detailed step-by-step guide, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card located below.

Creative Substitutions and Exciting Variations

One of the many joys of making sangria is its incredible adaptability. This recipe serves as a fantastic base, but don’t hesitate to get creative and tailor it to your personal preferences or whatever ingredients you have on hand. Experimenting with different additions can lead to delightful new flavor combinations, making each batch uniquely yours.

• Wine Alternatives: While white wine provides a crisp backdrop, you can easily alter the character of your sangria. Instead of still white wine, consider opting for a dry Prosecco or another sparkling white wine. This will introduce a lovely effervescence, transforming your sangria into a fizzy, celebratory drink. Alternatively, a dry hard cider wine can reinforce the apple flavor while adding a unique fermented note.
• Apple Sweetener Options: If fresh apple cider is unavailable, you can certainly try apple juice. Be aware, however, that apple juice typically has a less intense, sweeter flavor profile than cider, which might result in a slightly different taste and a less complex autumnal note. Adjust other sweeteners if needed.
• Liqueur Swaps: If the specific spiced pear liqueur isn’t accessible, several excellent alternatives can still provide depth and flavor. A good-quality triple sec or another orange liqueur (such as Grand Marnier or Cointreau) will introduce bright citrus notes that beautifully complement the apple and pear. For a more direct fruit flavor, a fine apple or pear brandy can impart a stronger fruit essence with an added alcoholic warmth, enhancing the “spiced” aspect of the sangria.
• Add More Fruit: Beyond apples and pears, consider introducing other seasonal fruits. Sliced oranges or cranberries add a tart counterpoint and beautiful color, especially for holiday presentations. Pomegranate arils bring a burst of juicy sweetness and a stunning ruby hue. Thinly sliced persimmons can also offer a unique, subtle sweetness.
• Extra Spice Elements: Elevate the warming spice profile by adding a few star anise pods, a couple of whole cloves, or a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg along with the cinnamon sticks. These spices will slowly infuse into the wine, creating an even more complex and aromatic sangria.
• Non-Alcoholic Version: For a family-friendly option, replace the white wine and pear liqueur with sparkling apple cider, regular apple cider, and a bit more ginger ale or lemon-lime soda for fizz. You’ll still get a wonderfully refreshing and fruity drink.
• Herbal Infusion: A few sprigs of fresh rosemary or thyme can add an unexpected, sophisticated herbal note that pairs surprisingly well with the fruit and cinnamon. Just be mindful not to over-infuse, as these flavors can become dominant.

Don’t be afraid to experiment! The beauty of sangria lies in its flexibility, allowing you to personalize it to your taste and the ingredients you have on hand.

Minimal Equipment, Maximum Flavor

One of the best aspects of making this sangria is that you don’t need any specialized or expensive equipment. Simplicity is key, making it accessible for any home entertainer. If you have a few basic kitchen items, you’re perfectly set to create this delicious seasonal cocktail!

• Pitcher (at least 1-liter capacity): This is your primary vessel. A clear glass pitcher is ideal, not only for mixing but also for showcasing the beautiful fruit and cinnamon sticks suspended in the sangria. Ensure it has enough capacity to comfortably hold all the ingredients, allowing room for stirring and the fruit to settle. A capacity of 1-liter (approximately 4 cups) is suitable for the base recipe, but if you plan to double or triple it, opt for a larger pitcher (2-3 liters) to avoid overcrowding.
• Large Spoon or Stirrer: Essential for gently combining all the ingredients in the pitcher, ensuring the flavors begin to meld evenly.
• Cutting Board and Sharp Knife: For preparing your apples and pears, chopping them into uniform, bite-sized pieces. A good knife makes this task quick and safe.

That’s truly all you need! No fancy shakers, muddlers, or strainers are required. The beauty of sangria is its rustic charm and ease of preparation, proving that you don’t need a professional bar setup to craft an impressive and delicious cocktail for your guests.

Preparation and Storage Tips for the Best Sangria

One of the most appealing qualities of sangria, and especially this Spiced Apple and Pear White Sangria, is that it benefits significantly from being made ahead of time. This makes it an absolute dream for entertaining, allowing you to prepare a show-stopping cocktail long before your guests arrive, reducing last-minute stress.

The magic happens as the sangria sits: the fresh fruit slowly releases its sweet juices and aromatic flavors into the wine and liqueurs, deepening the complexity of the drink. The cinnamon sticks also get to work, infusing a gentle, warming spice that becomes more pronounced over time. I find that preparing this sangria 4-6 hours in advance yields the most harmonious and rich flavor profile, giving all the elements ample time to meld beautifully without over-softening the fruit.

For optimal results and flavor development, after assembling your sangria, cover the pitcher tightly and store it in the refrigerator. If you happen to have any sangria leftover (a rare occurrence with this recipe!), you can store it in a covered pitcher or airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. While the fruit will soften a bit over this period, the flavors will continue to deepen, making for a still-delicious beverage. For the best presentation, consider adding a few fresh fruit slices and a new cinnamon stick to each serving if storing for longer periods.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Spiced Apple and Pear White Sangria

Here are some common questions and helpful answers to ensure your sangria-making experience is smooth and enjoyable. If you have further questions, feel free to ask!

More Seasonal Delights to Explore

If you loved this Spiced Apple and Pear White Sangria, you’ll surely enjoy these other seasonal recipes perfect for your fall and winter entertaining:

Did you make this recipe? I would love to hear about it! Please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating with a comment right below the recipe card. If you snap a photo of your creation, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @brunchandbatter.

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