Recipe: Apple Harvest Citrus Sangria

This is the perfect, warming adult beverage for sipping while preparing a lovely Thanksgiving feast with friends and family! (Or just any cool fall or winter evening for that matter.) :-) 

Warming spices and fall flavors give this sangria a taste of the holidays you can enjoy all winter long - and it's beautiful enough for any special occasion!  Make the day before, and you'll have plenty to drink when the guests arrive. (Please drink responsibly.)

Apple Harvest Citrus Sangria

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ingredients:

2 crisp red apples
1 750 ml bottle white wine
1/3 cup peach schnapps
1/4 cup brandy
1/4 cup agave nectar
1 orange, quartered
1 lemon, quartered
1 lime, quartered
2 cinnamon sticks
1/2 in. x 1/2 in. chunk of peeled fresh ginger
4 whole cloves
2 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon              
ice
1/4 cup club soda

Directions:

• Wash, core, and chop up one of the red apples; set aside.
• In a glass bowl, stir together the wine, schnapps, brandy, and agave nectar, then add the chopped apple, orange, lemon, lime, cinnamon sticks, ginger, and cloves, stir and set in refrigerator at least 8 hours; overnight is fine.

To serve:

• Remove mixture from refrigerator and put a mesh strainer over a bowl and strain the mixture through; discard the solids.
• Wash and core the other apple for garnish; slice into circles, and then into crescents.
• On a little plate, mix the sugar and cinnamon together then lightly moisten the rims of the glasses you will be using and dip lightly into the sugar cinnamon mix.
• Put a couple of ice cubes into each glass; pour the strained sangria into the glasses until about 3/4 full, then add a splash of club soda to the glass, then place an apple garnish on each rim and serve.