Cinnamon Whiskey Sangria Recipe (2024)

This Cinnamon Whiskey Sangria is only four ingredients and delicious all year round. It is a particularly amazing spin on my red sangria recipe, perfect for a ladies’ night and even better for holiday get togethers. This is such an easy sangria recipe!

Cinnamon Whiskey Sangria Recipe (1)

Cinnamon Whiskey Sangria Recipe (2)

This post is written in collaboration with Iowa Corn. I could not be more proud to partner with them for a second year to tell their story and give you a behind the scenes of the life of the Iowa Corn Farmer.

Hi friends and Happy Friday! I already told you about my love for Iowa and their amazing corn farmers when I shared my Southwestern Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole last week, and last year when I shared my Slow Cooker Bacon Potato Corn Soup. But we haven’t talked about one little part that is soooooo near and dear to my heart.

The co*cktails.

As you all know, I am not shy about my love for whiskey. You just can’t beat a good whiskey co*cktail. I love my Whiskey and Wine co*cktail, my Desert Wasteland Whiskey co*cktail, and of course the classic Whiskey Sour Recipe! Well, you can’t get

The first stop on our #IACornQuest Tour, both last year and this year, was the Iowa Distilling Company. And, if I’m being totally honest, it’s the absolute highlight of the trip for me. #duh Cinnamon Whiskey Sangria Recipe (3)

The amazing folks at the Iowa Distilling Company make all of their award winning spirits on site. Not only that, they are true lovers of their community and the Iowa farmers who support their business and provide them the best corn to make the alcohol. In their own words:

“At Iowa Distilling Company, we aim to bring distilling back to its roots on the farm. Farming goes back generations in our families. We know corn and we know Iowa’s soil – we’ve been working with it for years. We know the farmers who grow our grain and the people at the local farmers’ co-op who help us load it into our truck. They are our friends and family, and we try to make them proud of every bottle that comes off our still.”

Doesn’t that just give you chills? It totally embodies everything I love about Iowa and all the people with Iowa Corn. The passion that you hear in those words totally comes through in the amazing product they serve and the incredible recipes they come up with to serve it.

Iowa Distilling Company is housed in the coolest space. A 100 year old building that has been a bank, an architecture firm, and a jute box repair shop now converted to a distilling company and bar. Our group was able to sit at their bar and drink their custom made co*cktails and then sit and have the most delicious dinner from a local caterer.

Cinnamon Whiskey Sangria Recipe (4)

You can’t see all the co*cktails, but I need to tell you . . . our group tried a LOT of them and we were sincerely impressed. But, without a doubt, my favorite were the co*cktails made with Prairie Fire, a cinnamon whiskey. I dare say, the best cinnamon whiskey on the planet. Last year I bought one bottle, this year I bought two. And I’m already regretting I didn’t get a third.

Cinnamon Whiskey Sangria Recipe (5)

Prairie Fire is perfect on it’s own, in fact, that is my preferred way to drink it. However, its also incredible in this Cinnamon Whiskey Sangria Recipe!

WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS OF SANGRIA?

Most sangrias consist of wine, a liquor (or two), and some fruit. This Cinnamon Whiskey Sangria takes a little bit of a different spin by adding in some apple cider which compliments this perfectly. Can I tell you guys something? I only had a super cheap bottle of red wine on hand when I was testing this recipe and it was still AMAZING! This might be the best sangria yet.

THE SANGRIA INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED

  • Red Wine blend
  • Prairie Fire Cinnamon Whiskey (or other cinnamon whiskey if you can’t get to Iowa ????)
  • Apple Cider
  • Apples

How easy is that??

Cinnamon Whiskey Sangria Recipe (6)

HOW TO MAKE SANGRIA

This sangria is super simple to make and will be the hit of any ladies’ night, but I think it is especially great for a holiday party!

  1. Pour all of the ingredients into the pitcher.
  2. Add more apple cider if you don’t want it to be as strong.
  3. Taste it and add simple syrup to taste.
  4. Add the apples right before serving, and have cinnamon sticks out for garnish.

TIPS TO END UP WITH THE BEST SANGRIA

  • I know I said I used a less than amazing red blend and it was still amazing. Guys, that’s just to tell you how great this recipe is. Don’t test my theory. The next time I made it (yup, already have done a few batches . . . ) I used a much better wine. Soooo good!
  • Try this recipe first without simple syrup. I didn’t need any, but members of my book club did.
  • If you want to stretch this recipe and make it not as strong, add another cup of apple cider.
  • Only add the apples right before serving. Normally sangrias are known for their alcohol soaked fruit, but my experience is that apples don’t hold up great in sangria. They aren’t meant to sit in it overnight.
  • Though you see it pictured with cinnamon sticks here, do NOT add that to the pitcher and let it sit. Cinnamon sticks just hanging out in wine leave it with a woody flavor I do not love at all. Plus you totally don’t need it. The Prairie Fire does it’s job.

Cinnamon Whiskey Sangria Recipe (7)

I say this from the absolute bottom of my heart. If you are ever near Cummings, IA, you MUST stop by Iowa Distilling Company and try out what they have to offer. You will not find a better Cinnamon Whiskey or a smoother vodka. To see all the spirits they make check out their products page. And while you are in Iowa, thank a farmer for growing some amazing corn that gave you those great drinks.

Cinnamon Whiskey Sangria Recipe (8)

Cinnamon Whiskey Sangria Recipe (9)

Cinnamon Whiskey Sangria

Serves: 6 people

(tap # to scale)

Prep: 10 minutes minutes

This Cinnamon Whiskey Sangria is only four ingredients and delicious all year round. It is a particularly amazing spin on my red sangria recipe, perfect for a ladies night and even better for holiday get togethers.

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Ingredients

  • 750 ml red wine (I used a blend)
  • 1 cup cinnamon whiskey
  • 1 cup apple cider
  • 2 apples cut up
  • 1/2 cup simple syrup optional

Instructions

  • Stir the wine whiskey, and apple cider together to combine.

  • Taste it before possibly adding in simple syrup.

  • Add the sliced apples and serve!

Author: Lisa Longley

Cinnamon Whiskey Sangria Recipe (10)

did you make this

Cinnamon Whiskey Sangria

I'd love to see what you made! Tag me @lisasimplejoy and hashtag it #simplejoyrecipes!

Other great co*cktails you could make using alcohol from Iowa Distilling Company

Cranberry Vodka Press

Apple Brandy Slush

Eggnog Martini

Cinnamon Whiskey Sangria Recipe (11)

Cinnamon Whiskey Sangria Recipe (12)

Cinnamon Whiskey Sangria Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to make sangria the night before? ›

Don't skimp on the chilling time.

By chilling the sangria, you give the fresh fruits a chance to infuse the wine with sweet, fresh flavor. If you cut this time short, your sangria won't taste as fruity or as balanced. I let mine chill for at least 8 hours before serving, or overnight for the best flavor.

How do you spice up a bottle of sangria? ›

Use a different liqueur: If brandy isn't your thing, cognac or orange liqueur (such as Cointreau, Grand Marnier or Triple Sec) are also popular additions to sangria here in Spain. Add different fruit: Sangria is the perfect use for leftover fresh or frozen fruit, so feel free to add in whatever you have on hand.

What is the best way to serve sangria? ›

Serve sangria chilled or on the rocks.

Sangria is best served chilled, so store it in the refrigerator in the serving container while the ingredients are soaking. Alternatively, you can serve it on the rocks by filling glasses with ice before pouring in the sangria.

When should I make sangria? ›

How far in advance can I make the sangria? You can make this sangria recipe up to 48 hours before serving it. Once again, the longer the fruit sits in the booze, the more it enhances the flavor of the sangria! This is one drink that you can make ahead of time and it will only keep getting better and better!

What are the basic ingredients for sangria? ›

Originally, sangria was aged wine mixed with fruit and spices, such as cinnamon, then evolved through time into regional variations. Our recipe combines red wine with orange juice, brandy, apples, blueberries, strawberries, and a cinnamon stick to create the classic fruity, spiced flavor.

What is the best wine for sangria? ›

The best wine for sangria is Garnacha (also called Grenache) or Pinot Noir. Garnacha comes from Spain, so it's my top pick for authentic Spanish sangria! Choose an inexpensive wine (under $20) that you would enjoy on its own. Why Garnacha and Pinot Noir?

Does sangria taste better the longer it sits? ›

If you taste the sangria just after mixing it, you'll probably think it tastes harsh or unbalanced. After a night in the fridge, it will taste mellow and juicy. Sangria gets better and better as it sits.

What type of red wine is good for sangria? ›

The 5 Best Red Wines for Summer Sangria
  • Garnacha. Garnacha (grenache grown in Spain) generally has lower tannins, showcases rich red fruits, and has great acidity. ...
  • Tempranillo. ...
  • Primitivo or Zinfandel. ...
  • Bonarda. ...
  • Nero d'Avola.

What flavors go well with sangria? ›

Due to its refreshing and fruity nature, sangria pairs best with salty, smoky, and even spicy dishes. Luckily, cheese comes in all shapes and sizes and typically goes well with at least one or two dishes. The most important thing to remember when pairing with your red or white sangria – the earthier the better.

What is the best cheap red wine for sangria? ›

Any dry red wine will work, but we like to use fruity Spanish wine, such as Garnacha for the best flavor results. It doesn't have to be the most expensive bottle either. You'll be adding so many sweet ingredients to the wine that will dress it up.

What's a good brandy for sangria? ›

"When choosing a brandy, it is best to go toward a Spanish one made with Spanish grapes," said Trujillo. "I find Carlos I Solera Gran Reserva Brandy to be perfect for sangria." This brandy was aged in American oak casks and has notes of vanilla and caramel.

How much alcohol is in sangria? ›

Sangria's alcohol content can vary widely, depending on whether it is made from red or white wine and how much brandy or liqueur has been added. Here is a rough guideline: EU law says bottles from Spain are limited by law to less than 12% alcohol by volume (ABV).

Can sangria sit too long? ›

"The fruit will get mealy and limp, and the sangria will taste bitter," says Martinez. In general, aim for at least 30 minutes but no more than 2 hours, as in this recipe for Blood Orange Sangria.

Can you leave fruit in sangria overnight? ›

The rule of thumb for sangria preparation is to let the fruit pieces marinate in the alcoholic base while in the refrigerator for about 12 to 24 hours. This allows the fruits enough time to soak up and infuse their flavor into the wine.

What type of alcohol is sangria? ›

“Sangria” is Spanish for “blood,” referring to the drink's traditional base of red wine. If you're going classic, look for a Spanish red wine like Rioja or other Tempranillo-based wine. A bold and fruit-forward Spanish Garnacha can also work well. Here are some of our favorite red wines for sangria.

Can you leave sangria in the fridge overnight? ›

Ideally, refrigerate sangria for at least two hours or overnight. And, by the way, sangria can last in the refrigerator for several days. Add a half-liter of soda water just before serving over ice.

Does sangria keep overnight? ›

Serve as is, or with a bit more ice. Garnish with orange segments (optional). Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours, though best when fresh.

Is sangria good the next day? ›

Generally, an unopened bottle of Sangria can be stored for 2 years. While an opened bottle of Sangria lasts 3-4 days. The shelf life of Sangria varies depending on its ingredients, and whether it's commercially produced or homemade.

How long does sangria last after making it? ›

Sangria will last for about three to five days in the refrigerator if stored in an airtight container. It will only last for a day or two if stored in the pitcher covered with storage wrap, so we recommend moving it to an airtight container if you don't plan on drinking it all within two days.

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