Apple Cinnamon Sangria

This Apple Cinnamon Sangria recipe has all the cozy apple and cinnamon flavors I want in a fall drink. Dry white wine, apple cinnamon tea, fresh apples, and cinnamon sticks come together for an easy sangria that’s festive without being loaded with sugar.

And it really couldn’t be easier. Make the tea, add the wine and fruit, and let everything chill together for a couple of hours. The hardest part is remembering to make it early enough to give those flavors time to come together.

The pieces of green apples and fresh cranberries make this sweet apple cider sangria recipe especially pretty for fall, Thanksgiving, or Christmas. I love serving it when I want something a little more special than pouring a plain glass of wine.

Love a festive cocktail? Try this Vodka Cranberry Spritzer next!

Ingredients

• Boiling water – Used to steep the tea and create the apple cider-inspired base.
• Apple cinnamon tea bags – My secret for getting apple and cinnamon flavor without adding apple cider or juice.
• Cinnamon sticks – Add even more warm cinnamon flavor while the tea steeps.
• Sweetener – Adds just enough sweetness without adding sugar.
• Dry white wine – The base of the sangria. Choose a dry wine rather than a sweet white wine to keep the carbs lower.
• Granny Smith apple – Adds fresh apple flavor and makes the sangria look beautiful.
• Fresh cranberries – These are mostly for a festive pop of color.

See the recipe card for quantities.

How to Make Apple Cinnamon Sangria

Step One: Pour the boiling water over the apple cinnamon tea bags and cinnamon sticks. Let them steep for 5 minutes.

Step Two: Remove the tea bags and cinnamon sticks. Add the sweetener and stir until it dissolves. Let the tea cool to room temperature.

Step Three: Combine the cooled tea, dry white wine, apples, and cranberries in a large pitcher.

Step Four: Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

Substitutions

• White wine – Choose another dry white wine if you don’t have the variety listed in the recipe card. Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or an unoaked Chardonnay would all work well.
• Red wine – Prefer red? Swap in a bottle of your favorite dry red wine.
• Sweetener – Use your favorite keto friendly powdered or granular sugar-free sweetener and adjust the amount to taste.

Variations

• Apple cider or apple juice – If you aren’t looking for a low carb sangria, you can replace the brewed apple cinnamon tea with apple cider or apple juice for even more apple flavor.
• Sparkling – Add a splash of sparkling water to each glass just before serving if you want a little fizz. You could also use a sugar-free ginger ale or lemon lime soda if you would like a sweeter cocktail.
• Garnish – Whole cinnamon sticks, pomegranate seeds, orange slices, apple slices, or a cinnamon sugar rim (or cinnamon sweetener) are all fun garnish options.

Equipment

You don’t need any special equipment for this sangria. A large pitcher, measuring cups, and a spoon for stirring are really all you need.

Storage

Store leftover sangria covered in the refrigerator. If you’re planning to keep it for more than a day, I would remove the fruit so it doesn’t get too soft.

For the best flavor and texture, I prefer to enjoy it within a couple of days.

Common Questions

What kind of wine should I use for apple cinnamon sangria?

A dry, crisp white wine works best. Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc are both good choices because they pair well with the apple and cinnamon without making the sangria overly sweet.

Does this apple sangria actually contain apple cider or apple juice?

My low carb version doesn’t. Apple cinnamon tea gives it that apple cider flavor without the sugar and carbs found in traditional apple juice or cider. If carbs aren’t a concern, you can use apple cider instead.

Can I make sangria ahead of time?

Yes. In fact, you want to give this one at least 2 hours to chill before serving. That gives all those flavors a chance to blend together.

Do I have to eat the fruit?

No. The apples and cranberries add flavor and make the glasses look festive, but you can leave them behind if you’re watching carbs. And unless you really enjoy raw cranberries, I wouldn’t recommend eating those!

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Originally Published December 22, 2016. Revised and Republished September 28, 2026.