A drink to start you out....

This sangria is THEE drink to make this fall. It combines red wine, brandy, cinnamon, apple cider, citrus, and of course - sweet honeycrisp apples!

Ingredients:

• 3 cinnamon sticks (plus more for garnish)
• 2 honeycrisp apples, chopped
• 1 orange, thinly sliced
• 1 (750 ml) bottle red wine (I suggest a light-bodied Spanish variety)
• 1 and 3/4 cups homemade apple cider or store-bought¹
• 1/2 cup brandy
• 1/4 cup orange juice (or juice from 2 medium oranges)
• juice from 1 lemon
• club soda, to taste

Directions:

1. Place the cinnamon sticks, apples, and orange slices in a large pitcher. Add wine, apple cider, brandy, orange juice, and lemon juice. Allow to sit in the refrigerator for 6 - 24 hours. Taste; if you'd like it to be sweeter, add 1-2 Tablespoons granulated sugar, honey, or agave.
2. If you'd like a cinnamon-sugar rim (highly recommended), simply moisten the rim of your glasses with water, turn the glass upside down and dip it into a mix of cinnamon and sugar. Pour in the sangria with fruit² and add a splash of club soda (this unsweetened fizz is wonderful with the sangria!). Garnish with a cinnamon stick, if desired. Cheers!
3. Make ahead tip: Sangria is the perfect make-ahead cocktail since it must sit for at least 6 hours. You can also make it one day in advance.

Additional Notes:

1. Use a sweetened, unfiltered version of apple cider; it will be in the refrigerator section of your grocery store.
2. Feel free to add ice to your glasses of sangria. Don't add it directly to the pitcher - this waters the sangria down. Which, clearly, we don't want.