Lemon Grove Lane

Recipe: Smoky Apple Cider Sangria

smokey apple cider sangria

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We are coming in to the season for entertaining and this recipe for Smoky Apple Cider Sangria is one of our favorites. It’s simple to make and definitely a crowd pleaser! Make sure to have farm fresh apples, fresh limes, and herbs from your garden on hand.

smokey apple cider sangria

I’m generally not a huge cocktail fan, with the exception of a skinny margarita on the weekends, but this one is so delicious and festive for the season. I love the colors and the seasonal fruits, pear, apple, and lime. We served this at our harvest party last weekend and it was such a hit I wanted to share our version of this classic cocktail.

You can prepare this cocktail two ways: cut up the fruit and put it in a pitcher with the cider, brandy, and whiskey and let it “sit” and marinate or you can mix everything all at once (prosecco included) and serve immediately.

smokey apple cider sangria

What you’ll need to make a smoky apple cider sangria:

  • Apples
  • Pear
  • Lime
  • Brandy
  • Whiskey
  • Prosecco
  • Apple Cider (or apple juice)
  • Rosemary and thyme for garnish
  • Dry ice

Is it safe to use dry ice in cocktails?

  • Can you drink dry ice?  No. Do not drink, swallow, or touch dry ice with bare skin. Touching can cause frostbite or burns.
  • Can you put dry ice in a drink? Yes! It is safe for using in cocktails. It’s recommended that you use 1 inch chunks in cocktails. The dry ice will settle to the bottom of the drink and disappear in less than 5 minutes. In the meantime you will enjoy a smokey cocktail!
  • Is dry ice safe for children? Yes! If you are making a Halloween Punch, add the dry ice to the punch bowl and ladle out servings without dry ice cubes.

How to safely store dry ice

It’s recommended you not put dry ice in the freezer. Have a cooler on hand with a loosely fitting lid. Do not use an airtight container as the build up of carbon dioxide gases an cause the container to burst. Keep your cooler in a well ventilated area.

How to prepare dry ice for cocktails

To use dry ice for punch or cocktails you’ll need to break it up into small chunks. Do this immediately before you plan to serve the drink. Follow these safety instructions to avoid an ice burn:

  • Before serving, drop the plastic bag on the ground a couple times to break up the ice.
  • With gloves on, use an ice pick to break up the ice into small cubes (about 1 inch for a cocktail).
  • Wrap the remaining chunks in a towel and place them in a cooler or pack in the freezer until you are ready to add more. Right before serving, drop the plastic bag on the ground a few times to make large chunks. This is an easy way to start to break it up without touching it.
  • With goggles and gloves on, break it into small chunks with a screwdriver or ice pick. The ideal size for single cocktails is 1/2-inch to 1-inch chunks: heavy enough to sink in the drink but small enough to disappear after a few minutes. The ideal size for a punch bowl is using 2 4-inch to 5-inch pieces.
  • Wrap the chunks in a towel and place them in a cooler with the top off until serving. Do not store dry ice in a cooler with a loose fitting top.

Now let’s get to the smoky apple sangria!!

smokey apple cider sangria

How to make smoky apple cider sangria:

It’s best to let the fruit and liquids sit for at least an hour. I prefer to leave out the Prosecco until the last minute. Also my preference is less sugar so I add very little cider.

First, pull out your favorite tumblers and a fun pitcher. Next cut up a couple of pears, apples, and then slice up some lime. Put your fruit in the pitcher and pour the whiskey and brandy over the fruit. You can do this the day before or a few hours prior to your party. The longer the booze marinates with the fruit the better it will taste. This is a sangria after all! When you are ready to serve your smokey apple sangria, add a couple ice cubes to a tumbler and pour an ounce (or so) of sangria into the glass. Add one or two tablespoons (taste for desired sweetness) of apple cider plus a splash of prosecco. Garnish with an apple slice, cinnamon, rosemary or a The nd very last step is to add a one inch piece of dry ice to create your smokey apple cider sangria. The dry ice will drop to the bottom of the glass and the ‘smoke’ will last only a few minutes. It’s really fun and worth the effort to add the dry ice!

Smoky Apple Cider Sangria

Serving Size:
Serves 4 – 6
Time:
Difficulty:

Ingredients

  • 3 apples
  • 2 pears
  • 2 limes
  • 3 ounces brandy
  • 3 ounces whiskey
  • 1 cup apple cider
  • 1 cup prosecco
  • dry ice
  • cinnamon sticks, thyme, and rosemary for garnish

Directions

  1. Wash and cut up 2 apples, 2 pears, and 1 lime into chunks and add to a pitcher.
  2. Slice remaining apple and lime to use as garnish.
  3. Pour brandy, whiskey, and apple cider over fruit and allow to sit for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  4. When ready to serve, and a few ice cubes to the tumblers and pour sangria into individual glasses.
  5. Garnish with apple, thyme, rosemary, and cinnamon.
  6. Top with a splash or more ;) of prosecco.
  7. Add a small piece of dry ice to create the smokey effect.

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- Leslie

- Leslie

Welcome to Lemon Grove Lane, where I share seasonal recipes and heartfelt home inspiration, all curated to nurture the art of a well-lived life.

Please note: This post may include affiliate links, which contribute to the support of my blog efforts at no extra cost to you.

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