1. Hosting fondue night with friends.

2. Asking what friends want to drink.

3. A friend has the best idea ever; Sangriaaaa!

4. It’s fondue. It’s November. I don’t want to make a summery sangria. But how can I make an autumny sangria?

5. Autumn + Fruit = Apple.

Apple Sangria

Ingredients:

•  1 bottle (750 ml) dry white wine ( I used Viña Sol)
• 3/4 cup apple liquor (I used Pommeau de Normandie, a mix of apple juice and Calvados)
• 1/4 cup white cranberry juice
• 1/8 cup golden cane sugar
• 2 apples, diced
• 1 small orange, sliced and quartered
• 1/8 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1/2 cup sparkling water

Directions: Add all ingredients except the sparking water in a pitcher and stir to dissolve the sugar. Cover and let stand in the fridge at least a couple hours, ideally overnight. When ready to serve, add sparking water.

Serves 8-10

This was my favorite homemade sangria to date. It is just strong enough, just sweet enough, and the taste is amazing. The apple liquor I used has a 17%  alcoholic strength and is a mix of Calvados and apple juice. You would obtain the same result by mixing 1/2 Calvados 1/2 apple juice. You could also use Appelkorn (but it would taste less like “real” apple) … or only Calvados … if you want an extra strong sangria!

6. Wine + Apples = Yummyyy.