I have a complicated relationship with summer: the humidity, the heat, and the mosquitoes can test my patience. But the food and drinks of the season? Irresistible. Fresh, ripe fruits and the wafting scents of grills across the countryside make summer worth it. My latest favorite porch-sipper is Hard Cider Sangria-by-the-Glass, a simple, refreshing drink built around crisp hard cider and fresh fruit.
It’s almost embarrassingly easy and, yes, calling it “sangria” might raise an eyebrow among purists. Still, it captures the spirit of summer sangria—fruit soaked in a chilled, slightly boozy base—so I’m fine with the name. To make it, pile thinly sliced apples, a handful of blueberries, and a few sliced strawberries into a mason jar. Instead of wine, though, pour in a dry, crisp hard apple cider. I’ve enjoyed this with mass-market options and with excellent local ciders; both worked beautifully. The market now offers a wide range of ciders, so you can pick one that suits your taste.
Because it was sweltering, I wanted a way to keep the drink cold without diluting it. My workaround was delightfully low-tech: I slipped a lime popsicle into the jar. True, it’s not fussy or elegant, but the popsicle I used was made with real lime juice and just a bit of sugar, and it added both chill and bright flavor as it melted. It tasted fantastic, and I’ll be repeating it all summer. I’m even scheming about how to keep lime popsicles frozen while camping for Independence Day—ideas welcome.
Cook’s Notes
- This recipe is essentially assembly: layer fruit, pour in hard cider, and use a lime popsicle as an ice cube and stir stick. For best results, peel the apple and slice it as thinly as possible so it soaks up cider flavor quickly.
- Choose a tart, crisp apple variety—these hold their texture, brown more slowly, and add bright flavor.
- Strawberries and blueberries are natural choices, but use whatever fresh, seasonal fruit you have on hand. Peaches, raspberries, or cherries would work well.
- Why make it “by-the-glass”? If you prefer smaller portions or don’t want a whole pitcher to finish, single servings are convenient and reduce waste. They’re quick to assemble, and if you’re serving a crowd you can line jars up and assemble them assembly-line style. Each guest also gets a tasty snack of soaked fruit once the drink is finished.
- When pouring cider into the jar, leave about 1½ inches of headspace so the popsicle won’t cause overflow. Add more cider after inserting the popsicle if needed.
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Hard Cider Sangria-by-the-Glass
Rebecca Lindamood
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- Per serving:
- 1/4 of a tart crisp apple, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh blueberries or other seasonal berries
- 2 to 3 fresh strawberries hulled and sliced
- 1 chilled bottle dry or crisp hard apple cider
- 1 good lime ice pop homemade or store-bought made with real lime juice
Instructions
-
Layer the sliced apple and berries in a pint jar or similar glass. Pour the chilled hard cider over the fruit, leaving about 1½ inches of space at the top. Slide the lime ice pop into the glass and use the stick to swirl it gently. Top off with more cider if needed and serve immediately with a straw.
Nutritional information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. Calculate values with the exact ingredients you use if you need precise nutrition details.
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