What Is Elderberry Apple Cider Sangria?
Looking for a fall cocktail to serve at your next gathering? This Elderberry Apple Cider Sangria combines dry red wine, crisp apples, apple cider, and our spiced Elderberry Elixir Syrup for a drink that's made for harvest season.
The elderberry syrup is what makes this sangria a little different. Our Elixir is made with real American elderberries, locally sourced honey, ginger, cloves, and Ceylon cinnamon. Those warming spices pair naturally with the apples and red wine, giving this sangria plenty of fall flavor without needing a long list of ingredients.
Make it a few hours ahead, let everything chill together in the refrigerator, and add a splash of ginger ale or sparkling water just before serving.
Featured Product: Elderberry Syrup – Elixir
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Perfect for fall gatherings, Thanksgiving, and harvest celebrations
Easy to prepare ahead of time
Made with real American elderberries grown on our Northern Minnesota farm
Naturally spiced with ginger, cloves, and Ceylon cinnamon
Easy to customize with your favorite dry red wine
Finished with ginger ale or sparkling water for a little fizz
Why Add Elderberry Syrup to Sangria?
Traditional sangria usually combines wine, fresh fruit, and some form of sweetener or juice. Elderberry syrup is an easy way to bring more fruit flavor and natural sweetness into the mix.
Our Elderberry Elixir starts with freshly pressed American elderberries and local honey, then adds ginger, cloves, and Ceylon cinnamon. That combination works especially well with apples, cider, and dry red wine.
Unlike many flavored drink syrups, ours gets its deep color and flavor from real fruit, not artificial dyes or flavors. And because we grow and process our own American elderberries, we know exactly where the fruit comes from.
How to Make Elderberry Apple Cider Sangria
Ingredients
1 bottle dry red wine, such as Merlot
1 apple, sliced
1–2 cinnamon sticks
1 cup apple cider
1 cup ginger ale or sparkling water
Fresh apple slices, cinnamon sticks, and rosemary sprigs for garnish (optional)
Equipment
Large pitcher
Cutting board
Sharp knife
Measuring cup
Long spoon for stirring
Serving glasses
Preparation
Slice the apples. Cut your apple into thin slices and add them to a large pitcher.
Add the cinnamon. Drop in 1–2 cinnamon sticks, depending on how much cinnamon flavor you prefer.
Pour in the wine. Add one bottle of dry red wine. Merlot works well, but you can use your favorite dry red.
Add the cider and elderberry syrup. Pour in the apple cider and 1 cup of Elderberry Elixir Syrup. Stir everything together.
Refrigerate. Cover and refrigerate for 2–4 hours to give the fruit and spices time to infuse the wine.
Add the fizz. Just before serving, stir in about 1 cup of ginger ale. You can substitute sparkling water if you prefer a less sweet sangria.
Serve and garnish. Pour into glasses, making sure to include some of the apple slices. Garnish with a cinnamon stick, fresh apple, and a sprig of rosemary for a festive finish.
Why This Recipe Works
Dry red wine balances the sweetness. The wine provides a rich, fruity base without making the sangria overly sweet.
Apple cider brings the fall flavor. Fresh apple slices and cider add familiar harvest-season flavors that pair naturally with red wine.
Elderberry Elixir adds fruit and spice. The combination of real elderberries, honey, ginger, cloves, and Ceylon cinnamon adds depth without needing several separate spices.
Chilling gives the flavors time to combine. A few hours in the refrigerator allows the apples and cinnamon to infuse the sangria.
Ginger ale adds a refreshing finish. Adding it just before serving keeps the drink lightly sparkling.
Tips for Perfect Elderberry Sangria
Choose a dry red wine. Merlot is a good option, but Cabernet Sauvignon or another dry red can work too.
Give it time to chill. Two hours will work, but four hours gives the apples and spices more time to infuse.
Don't add the ginger ale too early. Wait until just before serving so it doesn't lose its fizz.
Taste before serving. The sweetness will depend on your wine, cider, and choice of ginger ale or sparkling water.
Keep it cold. Serve chilled, either straight from the refrigerator or over ice.
Make the garnish festive. Apple slices, cinnamon sticks, and rosemary make a simple presentation for holiday gatherings.
Ways to Customize Your Elderberry Sangria
Less Sweet: Replace the ginger ale with sparkling water for a drier sangria.
Extra Cinnamon: Use two cinnamon sticks instead of one for a stronger cinnamon flavor.
More Fruit: Add orange slices or fresh cranberries for extra color and a seasonal twist.
Holiday Sangria: Garnish with rosemary, cinnamon sticks, and fresh cranberries for a festive Thanksgiving or Christmas cocktail.
Alcohol-Free Version: Skip the wine and use additional apple cider with unsweetened cranberry juice and sparkling water. Adjust the proportions to taste.
What Makes Our Elderberry Elixir Different?
Not all elderberry syrups are made the same way.
At Popple Tree Creek Farms in Northern Minnesota, we grow American elderberries (Sambucus canadensis) and turn them into small-batch elderberry products right on our farm. When we need additional berries, we source them from trusted Midwest growers.
Our Elderberry Elixir is made with:
Real, freshly pressed American elderberry juice
Local honey
Ginger
Cloves
Ceylon cinnamon
A touch of citric acid for freshness
We don't water down our syrup or use imported elderberry concentrate. You get the full flavor of real American elderberries, with honey and spices that make the Elixir especially versatile for fall drinks like this sangria.
More Ways to Use Elderberry Syrup
Elderberry syrup isn't just for taking by the spoonful. Its naturally sweet, tart flavor makes it an easy addition to all kinds of drinks.
Try adding it to:
Sparkling water for a simple elderberry spritzer
Lemonade for a fruity summer drink
Hot tea or a hot toddy
Moscow mules and other cocktails
Apple cider for a warm fall beverage
Explore our elderberry recipes or read our guide to 25+ ways to take elderberry syrup daily.
FAQs About Elderberry Apple Cider Sangria
What is the best wine for apple cider sangria?
A dry red wine works best because the apple cider and elderberry syrup already add sweetness. Merlot is a great choice, but Cabernet Sauvignon or another dry red will also work. There's no need to buy an expensive bottle.
Can I make elderberry sangria ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, this sangria tastes better after the fruit and spices have had time to infuse the wine. Prepare it 2–4 hours ahead and keep it refrigerated. Just wait to add the ginger ale or sparkling water until you're ready to serve.
Can I use sparkling water instead of ginger ale?
Absolutely. Sparkling water gives the sangria a lighter, less sweet finish while still adding some fizz.
Can I make this sangria without alcohol?
Yes. Replace the red wine with a combination of apple cider and unsweetened cranberry juice. Add the elderberry syrup and cinnamon, chill, and finish with ginger ale or sparkling water. Adjust the ingredients to your preferred sweetness.
What's the difference between Elderberry Elixir and regular elderberry syrup?
Our Elderberry Honey Syrup has a straightforward elderberry-and-honey flavor. Our Elixir starts with the same base but adds ginger, cloves, and Ceylon cinnamon.
For this recipe, the Elixir is especially good because those warming spices complement the apple cider and red wine.
How long does homemade sangria last in the refrigerator?
Sangria is best enjoyed the day it's prepared or the following day. Keep it covered in the refrigerator, and add any carbonated ingredients just before serving. The apples may soften the longer they sit in the wine.
Do I need to add extra sugar?
No additional sugar is needed in this recipe. The apple cider and honey-sweetened Elderberry Elixir already provide sweetness. If you prefer a less sweet sangria, use sparkling water instead of ginger ale.