Crisp Fall Sauvignon Blanc Sangria: An Easy Fall Wine Cocktail

This Crisp Fall Sauvignon Blanc Sangria is an easy fall white wine cocktail made with apple slices, orange slices, a cinnamon stick, and Sauvignon Blanc. Everything goes into a pitcher and sits in the refrigerator overnight. By the next evening, you have a chilled fall drink ready to pour, with fresh fruit and a little cinnamon in every glass.

This one was inspired by comedian Gage Briney’s hilarious video, where he warns against putting Sauvignon Blanc in a pitcher with apples, oranges, and a cinnamon stick because you WILL black out.

Well, he wasn’t wrong about how easily this goes down… but this combination is so right. Apples, citrus, a little cinnamon, and a cold glass of wine on the back porch? That’s my kind of fall.

Go watch @gagebriney’s video if you haven’t seen it. His delivery alone is worth it.

I love fall, but here in Texas, fall does not always mean we need a hot drink. Sometimes it means putting a few pumpkins on the porch and enjoying a cold glass of wine while we wait for the weather to catch up.

This is just the thing for that.

The best way I can describe it is that it tastes like a crisp fall leaf. Obviously, we are not putting leaves in the pitcher. Think apples, citrus, a little cinnamon, and that first evening when you actually want to sit outside. All the fall feeling, in a glass of white wine.

A Fall Wine Cocktail That Keeps Things Simple

There are plenty of occasions for a cocktail with a shopping list and a shaker. For a Friday evening on the back porch, I am very happy with something I can stir together the night before.

For my pitcher, I used two bottles of Sauvignon Blanc, two apples, two oranges, and three cinnamon sticks. This fall Sauvignon Blanc recipe uses four ingredients. There is no syrup to cook, no blender to wash, and no individual drinks to mix while your friends are waiting. Slice the fruit, add everything to a pitcher, and let the refrigerator do the rest.

It is also a lovely option when you want a seasonal drink without adding apple cider or a sugary mixer. This version keeps the wine at the center, with apple, orange, and cinnamon adding the fall flavor.

Make a pitcher for a few friends coming over, a casual fall supper, or an evening spent catching up on the patio. It looks pretty enough for company, but the preparation is about as straightforward as it gets.

What You Need

Sauvignon Blanc

Use a Sauvignon Blanc you enjoy drinking on its own. The fruit and cinnamon add flavor, but you will still taste the wine, so choose something you like.

You do not need to buy an expensive bottle for this. A familiar, reasonably priced Sauvignon Blanc is a good place to start. Chill the finished pitcher thoroughly before serving.

Apple Slices

Apples bring the fall flavor and make the pitcher look beautiful. Wash the apple, remove the core, and cut it into slices that will fit comfortably in your pitcher.

Leave the peel on if you like the color. There is no need to make the slices perfectly uniform, but keep them substantial enough to hold together when you stir and pour.

Orange Slices

The orange adds citrus alongside the apple and cinnamon. Wash it well before slicing, since the peel goes into the pitcher along with the fruit.

Thin rounds or half-moons both work. Choose whichever shape fits your pitcher and is easiest to serve.

Cinnamon Sticks

Three cinnamon sticks give the wine a fall spice note as it sits overnight. Using whole sticks also keeps the drink clear, without loose ground cinnamon floating through each glass.

Use whole sticks for this recipe. Ground cinnamon will not give you the same presentation or texture.

How to Make Crisp Fall Leaf Sauvignon Blanc

1. Prepare the Fruit

Wash the apple and orange. Core and slice the apple, then slice the orange. Add the fruit to a pitcher with enough room for the wine and a little space for stirring.

2. Add the Cinnamon and Wine

Place the three cinnamon sticks in the pitcher and pour both bottles of Sauvignon Blanc over the fruit. Give everything a gentle stir so the fruit and cinnamon are surrounded by the wine.

The preparation is that simple. The important part comes next: giving the ingredients time together in the refrigerator.

3. Refrigerate Overnight

Cover the pitcher and refrigerate overnight. Plan to put it together the evening before you want to serve it.

That overnight rest gives the apples, orange, and cinnamon time to flavor the wine. It also means your drink is already made when company arrives. All you need to do is take the pitcher out of the refrigerator and pour.

4. Stir and Serve Cold

Give the pitcher a gentle stir before serving. Taste it, and remove the cinnamon sticks when the spice is where you like it.

Pour into wine glasses and add a little of the fruit to each glass if you would like. I like keeping the presentation simple. The sliced fruit does plenty on its own.

Easy Fall Entertaining Without a Full Dinner Party

You do not have to plan a whole meal to invite someone over. A pitcher of this fall white wine sangria, a few snacks, and a place to sit are enough for a lovely evening.

For something savory, put out a bowl of my Dill Pickle Chex Mix. You can make the snack ahead, too, so you are ready to enjoy your company when they arrive.

If you want a little something sweet on the table, my Candy Corn & Cashew Snack Mix takes just two ingredients. It is an easy way to add a little fall color without turning on the oven.

For a more generous dessert to share, try my Loaded Caramel Apple Nachos. Set the platter out just before serving so the apples and toppings keep their crunch.

Choose a snack or two, set out the glasses, and let people help themselves. You should get to sit down and enjoy the evening, too.

Tips for Your Fall Sangria Pitcher

• Make it the night before. The overnight infusion is part of the recipe, so give yourself that time.
• Keep it covered and refrigerated. This drink should sit in the refrigerator while the fruit and cinnamon infuse.
• Use a wine you already like. You are adding flavor to the Sauvignon Blanc, so start with a bottle you would happily pour on its own.
• Taste before serving. Remove the cinnamon sticks when you are happy with the spice level.
• Keep the pitcher cold. Bring it out to pour, then return it to the refrigerator between refills if you are taking your time outside.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a fall sangria or an infused wine?

You can describe it either way. It is a simple white wine sangria made by infusing Sauvignon Blanc with fresh apple, orange, and a cinnamon stick. This version does not include added liquor or a sweetened mixer.

Does it have apple cider in it?

No. The apple flavor comes from sliced apples in the pitcher. The ingredients are Sauvignon Blanc, apple slices, orange slices, and a cinnamon stick.

Can I make it right before serving?

You can combine the ingredients quickly, but this recipe is intended to refrigerate overnight. Pouring it immediately will not give the fruit and cinnamon the same time to flavor the wine.

Do I need to peel the apples?

No. Wash them well and remove the core before slicing. Keeping the peel adds color to the pitcher and saves a preparation step.

Can I use ground cinnamon?

Use a cinnamon stick for this version. Ground cinnamon can leave particles in the wine, while a whole stick is easy to remove when you are happy with the flavor.

Do I need a special pitcher?

No. Use a food-safe pitcher that holds the wine and fruit, fits in your refrigerator, and can be covered. A clear pitcher shows off the apple and orange slices, but use what you have.

Pour a Glass and Pull Up a Chair

This Crisp Fall Leaf Sauvignon Blanc is my kind of fall entertaining recipe: a few ingredients, a little preparation the night before, and something delicious to share.

If you found this recipe through my reel, welcome! Save it for your next porch evening or fall get-together, and take a look around for a few easy snacks to go with it.

If you make it, leave a comment below and tell me what you think. I want to know if “a crisp fall leaf” is how you would describe it, too.