It’s time to discover the essential must-have tools for your at-home cocktail bar! From shakers to glasses to cocktail picks, it’s time to elevate your cocktail game and impress family and friends with signature drinks and concoctions! Cocktail Bar Tools More Drinks to Make at Home Lavender Haze Cocktail Strawberry Daiquiri Salted Caramel Mocha Martini…
It’s time to discover the essential must-have tools for your at-home cocktail bar! From shakers to glasses to cocktail picks, it’s time to elevate your cocktail game and impress family and friends with signature drinks and concoctions!
Cocktail Bar Tools
SHAKERS – Shaking your cocktail mixes and chills it faster than stirring. It also dilutes the alcohol to bring the acid, sugar, and the alcohol together to give texture to your drink. When it comes to shakers, you can’t go wrong with a classic stainless steel shaker. But because I love pretty things, this glass shaker and this checked shaker both caught my eye!
ICE CUBE MOLDS – Ice does more than just chills your cocktail! As the ice breaks down through being shaken or stirred, it adds water to the drink, which mellows the alcohol and infuses fruity flavors to create a smoother drink. You can go with square, round, or decorative ice cubes in your drinks!
GLASSES – Yes, the type of glass you put your drink in matters! It can be overwhelming to know what to have, so here’s a few I recommend having on hand.
MIXING SPOON – Mixing your drink with a long-handled mixing spoon allows the flavors of your drink to mixed gently. They can also be helpful in layering ingredients in drinks or the end can be used as a muddler in case you don’t have one.
JIGGER – No cocktail bar is complete without a jigger! It helps to measure liquid ingredients!
MUDDLER – You’ll want to have a muddler for drinks like a Mango Mojito. You’ll need to gently bruise your ingredients like mint, fruit, or a peel, with a muddler to release their flavor. It’s done in the glass itself and then joined by whatever liquids the recipe calls for.
MESH STRAINER – The cone shape is essential when straining unwanted extras for from your cocktail!
JUICER – Because fresh is best when making a cocktail! I’ve used this juicer for years and love it.
PEELERS – Peel your citrus fruit and garnish your cocktails with ease thanks to a swivel peeler and a zester!
COCKTAIL PICKS – Keep your olives, cherries, and other garnishments in place with cocktail picks.
GLASS PITCHER – Some cocktails are single serve, but there are times when you want a boozy drink for a crowd and will need a glass pitcher to make it in! It will complete your at-home cocktail bar. Some of my favorite drinks for a crowd are Salty Dog Punch, Electric Lemonade Punch, or Knock You Naked Punch!
Here’s the ideal fall cocktail: apple cider sangria! This cozy drink pairs apple cider with red wine, orange and cinnamon.…
Here’s the ideal fall cocktail: apple cider sangria! This cozy drink pairs apple cider with red wine, orange and cinnamon. You’ll be amazed by how it tastes cozy and refreshing all at once.
Why we love this recipe
When the air gets a chill and you start pulling on chunky knit sweaters…guess what? You don’t have to stop drinking sangria! Yes, red sangria and white sangria are usually reserved for summer months. But there are creative spins on this Spanish drink so that you can drink it all year long.
Try this apple cider sangria! It pairs the cozy flavors of fall with dry red wine to make a Spanish-style autumnal spin on this drink. Add a hint of apple cider, and it’s a flavor-packed drink that is the best for fall parties!
Ingredients for apple cider sangria
This apple cider sangria is not a traditional Spanish recipe—it simply takes elements of the classic way to make this drink. I lived in Spain in university and in the process fell in love with its cuisine. I fully believe in the traditional Spanish way to make sangria: American versions are much too sweet!
Sangría is a wine punch that originates from Spain. The classic version is made with red wine and chopped fruit, and often orange juice or brandy. In Spain white sangria is also popular, and there are a myriad of other not-so-traditional spins like rosé sangria,watermelon sangria, etc. This apple cider sangria is a creative variation, but it’s solidly inspired by the Spanish way to make it. Here are the ingredients in this apple cider sangria:
Fruit: apple, pear, orange
Sugar
Cinnamon
Dry red wine
Apple cider or sparkling apple cider
Best wine to use for apple cider sangria
All you need is a bottle of dry red wine for this apple cider sangria! Any dry red will do, of course! Some of the best varietals for this type of sangria are:
Rioja Tempranillo
Garnacha (Grenache grown in Spain)
Malbec
Pinot Noir
How to make sangria…the Spanish way
The way we make all of our sangria recipes is a method is inspired by our favorite Spanish chef, Jose Andres. Chef Andres is from Spain and started many successful restaurants here in the US. The “Spanish” way to make this apple cider sangria is this:
Macerate fruit for 1 hour: Mix the sangria fruit with sugar and cinnamon, and let it stand at room temperature and break down. This helps the fruit flavors permeate the wine even more.
Add liquids: Add the red wine.
Serve with apple cider: When serving, pour half the glass with apple cider and half with the red wine mixture.
Variation: sparkling apple cider
There’s a non-Spanish spin to this apple cider sangria, but it’s a tasty way to enhance the cider flavor! Here’s what to know:
Pour half of the glass cider, then half red wine (or mix in a pitcher!). This makes for a beautiful two-toned drink. If you’re serving for a crowd, you can simply combine the cider with the red wine in a large pitcher.
Sparkling apple cider adds lightness and bubbles. It’s traditional in Spain to serve sangria with soda water: sparkling apple cider mimics the fizziness.
Don’t forget to eat the fruit
A fun part about this apple cider sangria is that you don’t have to let the fruit go to waste! When you serve it, you can also provide skewers for your guests. Then you can eat the wine-soaked fruit from your drink using the skewers! It’s a nice “dessert” or palate refresher after a meal.
More sangria variations
There are lots of types of sangria outside of this apple cider sangria: one for every occasion and season! Here are some of our favorites:
Classic: Red Sangria and White Sangria Crisp and refreshing, here are the traditional Spanish ways to make these classic flavors.
This apple cider sangria recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of apples should I use for my apple cider sangria?
Any crisp eating apple will work beautifully! Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, and Granny Smith are all great choices. You can even use a mix of varieties for more complex flavor.
What are some good garnishes for apple cider sangria?
Cinnamon sticks are a classic choice! Star anise, thin apple slices, and fresh cranberries also make lovely garnishes.
Can I use a different type of wine?
You can use a dry white wine like Pinot Grigio if you prefer, you can use other whites like Sauvignon Blanc or even a dry rosé. Just avoid anything too sweet, as the apple cider already adds sweetness.
Thinly slice the apple, pear, and orange. Place them into a medium bowl and stir in the sugar and cinnamon. Transfer to a large pitcher. Allow to stand for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Pour in the red wine. Stir and refrigerate for 1 hour, or as long as 4 hours. (Don’t go beyond 4 hours or the fruit texture starts to degrade.)
To serve, fill a glass with ice. Fill halfway with sparkling apple cider or apple cider, then halfway with red wine mixture (or you can pour them both together in a pitcher). Garnish with cinnamon stick, rosemary or orange slices. When you’ve polished off the sangria, you can snack on the sweetened fruit.
This Red Sangria Recipe is a classic party punch that you really must know how to make. Everyone I know loves a good sangria and this recipe is always the first one to disappear at parties! Why You’ll Love Red Sangria This sangria recipe is perfect for everyone, even if you don’t like red wine…
This Red Sangria Recipe is a classic party punch that you really must know how to make. Everyone I know loves a good sangria and this recipe is always the first one to disappear at parties!
Why You’ll Love Red Sangria
This sangria recipe is perfect for everyone, even if you don’t like red wine – this recipe could change your mind. I got this recipe from a friend and have been making it for many years – everyone loves it! It really is the best sangria recipe – perfectly sweet and tart – it’s wine punch for a crowd. Here’s why we love it:
There is so much fresh fruit in this recipe plusyou can make this with different fruit based on what’s in season.
Instead of adding sugar, I use simple syrup so it dissolves instantly.
I cook the fruit with the sugar and water to make a fruity simple syrup which adds tons of flavor!
How to make Red Sangria
Wine: For this recipe use your favorite red wine! Some ideas are Zinfandel, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Since Sangria originated in Spain, you could use one of the amazing Spanish red wines, but basically just use your favorite.
Alcohol: The best addition for sangria is either rum or brandy.
Fruit: The best fruits to use are the ones in season; they bring the best flavor! Mixed berries, peaches, plums, pears, apples, strawberries, or any citruses.
Click to see the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions!
Variations
In addition to the brandy or rum, you can add 1/4 cup of orange liqueur (also called triple sec or cointreau).
You can also use Grand Marnier in place of the brandy or rum.
When cooking your fruit, add a cinnamon stick or some whole nutmeg and cloves for extra flavor, especially if you’re making this in the fall or winter.
Instead of water to make the simple syrup, you can use orange juice.
In summer, we love using stone fruits, blackberries, strawberries and other berries.
Expert Tips
Be sure to use a good red wine you’ll like drinking. I don’t recommend the most expensive bottle, but grab one in the mid-range.
I recommend making this recipe ahead of time to let the sangria age. Stir it all together and it at least 8 hours to soak, but you can make it up to 24 hours ahead of time.
You can make white sangria the same way as this – just swap out the liquor. Use white wine and fresh fruit like peaches, berries, pineapple, or mango and instead of dark alcohol, use something light, like white rum, vodka, or tequila.
This easy Red Sangria Recipe is a party favorite. Red wine, brandy, and fruit are mixed with a fruity simple syrup that gives the punch so much flavor.
1750ml bottlered wine, merlot, zinfandel or pinot noir, see note
¼cup(60ml) brandy(or rum or Grand Marnier)
Instructions
Add sugar and water and 1 cup of fruit to a saucepan. Heat over medium low heat until it boils and the sugar is dissolved, just a few minutes. Strain fruit from sugar syrup, save fruit. Remove from heat and cool completely.
Mix wine, brandy, saved cooked fruit and remaining fruit in a large pitcher. Add ¼ cup of the cooled simple syrup. Chill for at least 8 hours.
Before serving, taste and add more simple syrup as desired to taste.
If you want to bulk up the recipe to serve more people, add up to 4 cups of club soda to the pitcher.
Notes
Use any combination of the following fruits:
Apples
Stone fruits (peaches, plums, etc)
Mixed Berries
Citrus (oranges, lemon, or limes)
Use any red wine you enjoy drinking, but I recommend merlot, zinfandel or pinot noir.
My Mojitos Recipe is so easy and are perfect for a crowd! This is a pitcher mojito recipe with fresh mint leaves and lots of rum and lime – they’re absolutely delicious and you’re going to love it! A classic mojito recipe is a highball recipe of Cuban origin. It’s a minty refreshing cocktail that…
My Mojitos Recipe is so easy and are perfect for a crowd! This is a pitcher mojito recipe with fresh mint leaves and lots of rum and lime – they’re absolutely delicious and you’re going to love it!
A classicmojito recipe is a highball recipe of Cuban origin. It’s a minty refreshing cocktail that is absolutely delicious and totally is the perfect party punch. A classic mojito is made for one, but making a pitcher serves more people and leaves you with no leftover limes and mint. The mint and lime combine to make this sweet and sour drink recipe – the BEST mojito recipe!
Mojito Variations
Mojitos with Vodka: Simply substitute the rum with vodka
Mojitos with Tequila: Substitute the rum with clear tequila
Pineapple Mojitos: Add pineapple juice to the mixture and use less simple syrup.
Strawberry Mojito: Add sliced strawberries to the mint when muddling.
Virgin Mojito: Simply omit the rum and use more club soda!
Garnish: You can also garnish with raspberries or blueberry for color
Mojito Ingredients
Limes: Lime juice is the backbone of the drink. You need 6 large limes for this recipe but since lime size varies by region, buy extra, just in case. You’ll need FRESH limes for this – not bottled juice!
Mint: Mojitos are a combination of mint and lime so you need some fresh mint.
Sugar: Granulated sugar is used to muddle the mint – you don’t need much, just a teaspoon.
Simple Syrup: This is for sweetness and I actually add just a bit, then allow drinkers to add more to taste.
Rum: The alcohol in a mojito is white rum. Buy your favorite brand (and see below for variations).
Click to see the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions!
How to make a Mint Mojito Recipe
Slice two of the limes and set the wedges aside for garnish. Juice the other 4 limes, you should get about ¾ cup juice, set aside.
Place the mint leaves and granulated sugar in a glass and use a cocktail muddler muddle them well until they are bruised and fragrant, this may take a few minutes. Place the muddled mint into the bottom of your pitcher.
Add the simple syrup, lime juice, and rum to the pitcher. Stir to combine.
Add the club soda and gently stir.
Garnish highball glasses with lime wedge or lime slice and a fresh mint sprig. Add ice to the glasses and pour the mojitos over the ice and serve.
Expert Tips
Buy extra limes in case you need more to get 3/4 cup lime juice.
You can add the entire cup of simple syrup when making these if you want. I prefer to add 1/2 cup and then taste for sweetness. If I’m having a party I’ll also serve extra simple syrup on the side for people to add to their cocktail.
Make your own simple syrup by adding equal parts water and sugar to a small sauce pan. Heat over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved then place in a jar to cool. Store in refrigerator to use for up to 3 weeks.
Make them ahead of time by doing all the steps up until the club soda. Don’t add the soda yet – stir the lime, mint, rum, and simple syrup in the pitcher. Cover and place in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Add the soda just before serving.
FAQs
How to store this recipe?
It’s best to store the pitcher without the soda or it will go flat. I love making it and having the pitcher in the fridge, then making myself a cocktail whenever I feel like it. Simply pour a glass, top it with soda and enjoy!
This is the perfect drink for a crowd! You can even make them ahead by doing all the steps up the adding the club soda and place the pitcher in the fridge, then just before serving, add the club soda. The perfect party punch!
Slice two of the limes and set them aside for garnish. Juice the other 4 limes, you should get about ¾ cup juice, set aside.
Place the mint leaves and granulated sugar in a glass and muddle them well until they are bruised and fragrant, this may take a few minutes. Place the muddled mint into the bottom of your pitcher.
Add the simple syrup, lime juice, and rum to the pitcher. Stir to combine.
Add the club soda and gently stir.
Garnish glasses with lime slices and fresh mint. Add ice to the glasses and pour the mojitos over the ice and serve.
Notes
Simple Syrup: I like to add 1/2 cup of simple syrup to the mixture to start, then taste and add more, or I’ll leave additional syrup on the side for guests to sweeten as they like.
Make Ahead: You can even make them ahead by doing all the steps up the adding the club soda and place the pitcher in the fridge, then just before serving, add the club soda and stir. You don’t want the club soda to sit in the pitcher in the fridge because it may become flat.
Double the Recipe: You can double all the ingredients except you may not need 2 full cups of simple syrup. Start with 1 cup and add more as desired.
It’s time to discover the essential must-have tools for your at-home cocktail bar! From shakers to glasses to cocktail picks, it’s time to elevate your cocktail game and impress family and friends with signature drinks and concoctions! Cocktail Bar Tools More Drinks to Make at Home Lavender Haze Cocktail Strawberry Daiquiri Salted Caramel Mocha Martini…
Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes 
Yield: 10 
Category: Drink
Method: Stirred
Cuisine: Cocktail
Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe
