Apple Bourbon & Pumpkin Sangria

by Kiran on October 25, 2013 · 87 comments

in Cocktail

I don’t know what I’m more excited about — carving a pumpkin, getting candy for the treaters or sipping this chilled autumn spooky sangria?

Surprisingly, everything aforementioned sounds “average”.

All I can think about is the fun I had styling and shooting this recipe!

Apple Bourbon & Pumpkin Sangria | KiranTarun.com

I had all the props from previous Halloween celebrations, except the spider rings which came home with me after a spot of shopping at Target. That place has a knack for tempting its customers.

Apple Bourbon & Pumpkin Sangria | KiranTarun.com

There’s a lot of emphasis on foods and treats during Halloween. Drinks should take the center stage too. Nothing extravagant like dry ice that comes out from a science lab, just delightful and spooky sangria.

If layers of flavors, textures and ingredients doesn’t tempt you enough — you’ve got to love the color!

Apple Bourbon & Pumpkin Sangria | KiranTarun.com

This definitely is not your typical cocktail. It’s pretty strong and you want to bulk it up with ice. Or else, you’d need a ride home after the party. Whatever may your choice be, just be forewarned — YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE IT AND FORGET ALL ABOUT THE CANDIES 😉

Apple Bourbon & Pumpkin Sangria | KiranTarun.com

Print This Recipe Print This Recipe

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:

  • 2 small honeycrisp apples, thinly sliced
  • 1 orange, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp ginger powder
  • 1 tsp whole cloves
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 tbsp pumpkin butter or puree
  • 1 cup apple or pumpkin flavored bourbon
  • 2 cups apple cider
  • 1 bottle of pink rosé wine
  • ice cubes

Directions:

  1. Add all ingredients (except ice cubes) into a tall large pitcher. Stir to combine and refrigerate for at least 24 hours.
  2. To serve: Add ice cubes into glasses. Top it off with chilled sangria and fruits. Cheers!

NOTE: I made another version of this sangria with freshly roasted pumpkin instead of pumpkin butter. Allow the roasted pumpkin to cool at room temperature and you’d need 6 wedges (with skins on!). Add it into the sangria and allow all the flavors to steep for overnight. The sangria would look a little more hazier, but so delicious!

 

Apple Bourbon & Pumpkin Sangria | KiranTarun.com

Hope you have a very spooky and fun Halloween celebrations. Just watch your back for any unwanted surprises. Boo!!

What would you serve for sips on Halloween? Are you trick-o-treating this year?

 

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Comments on this entry are closed.

1 Maria | Pink Patisserie October 25, 2013 at 10:48 AM

Looks boo-tiful Kiran! Love the styling too!
Maria | Pink Patisserie recently posted..Salted Caramel Apple Cake

2 Kiran October 31, 2013 at 12:33 AM

Maria — ha! i love the reference, “boo-tiful” 😀 thanks friend!

3 Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ October 25, 2013 at 10:48 AM

Never heard about Pumpkin Sangria. Love it!!!! Gotta try. This is exactly the kind of drink I heart, strong bold and original 🙂
p.s. I’ve got those rings too 🙂
Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ recently posted..Pumpkin Gnocchi With a Butter Walnut Sauce

4 Kiran October 31, 2013 at 12:48 AM

Daniela — me too, not until I made it a few weeks ago and couldn’t wait to share it!

5 sowmya October 25, 2013 at 10:50 AM

I love everything about Halloween.Amazing photos..This is so fantastic!!
sowmya recently posted..Boondi Laddu

6 Medha October 25, 2013 at 10:54 AM

Love your dark – spooky pictures! I am already a fan of this drink:)
I gotta try it. Ginger must be nice kick too.
Medha recently posted..Whole Roasted Snapper with Cherry Tomatoes and Guacamole

7 Kiran October 31, 2013 at 12:52 AM

Medha — thanks and have fun! let me know how it tastes 🙂

ps: ginger ale would also be great too!

8 Debjani October 25, 2013 at 10:58 AM

Absolutely loved your photos and the drink. Such a fun post!

9 Kiran October 31, 2013 at 1:01 AM

Debjani — awww, thanks so much!! 🙂

10 Coffee and Crumpets October 25, 2013 at 11:14 AM

I’m one of those stick in the mud parents who doesn’t approve of Halloween but I love looking at others creations and decorations. Love your festive sangria and the photos are gorgeous. I bet you did have fun styling and shooting!

Nazneen
Coffee and Crumpets recently posted..Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Brown Butter and Sage

11 Tanvi@SinfullySpicy October 25, 2013 at 11:29 AM

I LOVE the hand shot Kiran. Spooky.Happy Halloween.
Tanvi@SinfullySpicy recently posted..Bhindi Do Pyaza – Okra Stirfry With Pearl Onions

12 Kiran October 31, 2013 at 1:09 AM

Tanvi — thanks sweetie! happy halloween 🙂

13 Ash-foodfashionparty October 25, 2013 at 11:43 AM

I’ve never had pumpkin flavored bourbon, now that’s something to try. Thanks for a great spooky drink, sounds like you had such a great time styling and it shows. BEAUTIFUL.

14 Shema | LifeScoops October 25, 2013 at 12:08 PM

Absolutely stunning pictures and drink…happy Halloween to you dear… Loved this!!!
Shema | LifeScoops recently posted..Rainbow Polka Dot Cake / Vanilla cake with Lemon Swiss Meringue Buttercream

15 dixya| food, pleasure, and health October 25, 2013 at 1:06 PM

i am absolutely in love with your photography. you seriously need to consider teaching a class..this sangria sounds mighty delicious too.
dixya| food, pleasure, and health recently posted..Fitness Friday : Incorporate Yoga Daily with Amelia {Guest Post}

16 Kiran October 31, 2013 at 1:14 AM

Dixya — thanks love, but due to time constraints and travel plans, its quite difficult to fit in all within 24 hours a day. i’m still working on the how-to posts for food photography. would hit publish, hopefully soon.

17 Mr. & Mrs. P October 25, 2013 at 1:20 PM

Love these dark and mysterious photos!!! Gorgeous!!! The sangria sounds amazing also!
Mr. & Mrs. P recently posted..Bat Brain Halloween Dip

18 simi October 25, 2013 at 2:41 PM

Gorgeous Gorgeous gorgeous! love the drink and so beautifully captured
simi recently posted..Rosted masala soybean

19 Consuelo @ Honey & Figs October 25, 2013 at 2:50 PM

What an amazing setting for the photos, they do look spectacular! Also, this sangria sounds delish too. I love it!
Have a wonderful weekend, Kiran! x
Consuelo @ Honey & Figs recently posted..Skinny Ham Mac & Cheese

20 Laura (Tutti Dolci) October 25, 2013 at 3:48 PM

A fabulous Halloween drink, I adore the mood in these photos!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) recently posted..mini caramel apple doughnuts

21 Irina @ wandercrush October 25, 2013 at 5:06 PM

BRILLIANT, Kiran! The best of summer and fall in one alcoholic beverage 😉 If I ever have a halloween party, this will definitely be in the punch bowl.
Irina @ wandercrush recently posted..Eleven Madison Park Granola

22 DeFnise BroDwning@From Brazil To You October 25, 2013 at 6:16 PM

Kiran: I love your spooky Halloween display…The drink sounds perfect for the occasion!Wishing you a happy Halloween!
DeFnise BroDwning@From Brazil To You recently posted..Partnership Announcement

23 Ina gawne October 25, 2013 at 7:42 PM

Yummm! This drink sounds fabulous! I had my first honeycrisp apple the other day – so good. Plus anything about pumpkin is pure love for me. Great photos too Kiran…even the creepy crawly spiders!
Ina gawne recently posted..SLOW COOKER CURRIED MUNG BEAN STEW

24 cquek October 26, 2013 at 12:07 AM

More for me! These sound sooo good.
cquek recently posted..You Tiao [ Chinese Crullers ] @ Cintra Street

25 Raymund October 26, 2013 at 6:21 AM

Nice photos! looks so scary
Raymund recently posted..Must Try Food in New Zealand

26 Caroline @ chocolate & carrots October 26, 2013 at 7:49 AM

I can’t get over these photos, Kiran! Stunning!
Caroline @ chocolate & carrots recently posted..Apple Pies for Two

27 Kiran October 31, 2013 at 1:31 AM

Caroline — thanks a lot 🙂

28 Ashley October 26, 2013 at 8:09 AM

Oh my gosh! First, I LOVE these photos! They are so fun! And this sangria sounds fantastic – sangria is my favorite drink to make at home. And target always sucks me in – I go in for a few things and always wind up buying way more!
Ashley recently posted..Pumpkin Spice White Hot Chocolate

29 Kiran October 31, 2013 at 1:35 AM

Ashley — thanks! and so true about target. the name explains it all 😉

30 Angie@Angie's Recipes October 26, 2013 at 9:30 AM

Not really a cocktail drinker, but I love those clicks…so dreamy and beautiful. Well done, Kiran.
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted..Whole Spelt Quark Rolls

31 Gayathri October 26, 2013 at 10:00 AM

this dish is new to me…sounds interesting…beautiful and lovely food styling…can’t take my eyes….also love that spider ring..its cute….happy halloween…
Gayathri recently posted..CORNFLAKES MIXTURE IN MICROWAVE / CORNFLAKES SNACK INDIAN STYLE

32 rika@vm October 26, 2013 at 11:10 AM

Halloween props are the best to style your scary meals 🙂 the cocktail looks amazing….mmmmmm, I just had a cinnamon & sugar water shot in Buenos Aires, it was so tasty…I’m not a huge fan of Halloween but I can’t wait to see how locals in Argentina celebrate it!

33 Monica October 26, 2013 at 11:49 AM

Props to you (haha) for these great pictures! I am amazed by how talented others like you are with your styling and photography. My sister would love this drink – thanks for getting me in the Halloween spirit!
Monica recently posted..Rustic hazelnut cake

34 Kiran October 31, 2013 at 1:40 AM

Monica — lol, thanks! happy halloween 🙂

35 tedeternura.com October 26, 2013 at 12:17 PM

FANTÁSTICO POST y nunca mejor dicho!!!
SALUDOS AMIGA :)))
Conxita

36 Kiran October 31, 2013 at 1:40 AM

Muchos gracias 😀

37 Tandy | Lavender and Lime October 26, 2013 at 1:12 PM

I so want to try this! We don’t celebrate Halloween but I think I will just pretend 😉
Tandy | Lavender and Lime recently posted..Nonya Pot Braised Chicken Recipe

38 easyfoodsmith October 26, 2013 at 2:04 PM

Kiran, I love your styling…it is always so effortless and always hits the mark. I especially love the click of you holding the glass. Awesome! 😀
easyfoodsmith recently posted..SPICY GLUTEN-FREE PUMPKIN PANCAKES W/ GREEN PEA CHUTNEY & MINT RAITA

39 Kiran October 31, 2013 at 1:43 AM

Taruna — thank you so much!! it takes a lot of effort but i never forget to have fun while doing it 🙂

40 swathi October 26, 2013 at 3:33 PM

That is one beautiful and delicious drink, love your spider ring, I need to hunt for one. cute spiders though.
swathi recently posted..Boli /Sugar poli/ Poli: Sweet Lentil Flatbread Thiruvanthapuram Style

41 CCU October 26, 2013 at 4:19 PM

Love this hauntingly delicious drink 😀

Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
CCU recently posted..Candy & Our Winner!

42 Honey,What's Cooking October 26, 2013 at 11:18 PM

So stunning Kiran.. gorgeous photos. I wish you would do a post on how you stage and take pics. I always tell you , you have a knack for photography. Love the clove sticks, I had to do a double-take to figure out what they were.
Honey,What’s Cooking recently posted..Friday’s Fashion Favorites – 10.25.13

43 Shobelyn October 27, 2013 at 4:33 PM

I agree with Honey What’s Cooking. So many of us will learn a lot from you,Kiran.
Shobelyn recently posted..Easy Chicken Recipe for Dinner – Grilled Chicken Thigh

44 Kiran October 31, 2013 at 1:50 AM

Nisha & Shobelyn,

Thanks so much for the encouragements. I’m trying to fit a time and post for photography and hope it’ll get done soon! thanks for being patient. I’ve realized that translating art into words can be very difficult 🙂

Happy Diwali in advance!

45 Natasha @ The Cake Merchant October 27, 2013 at 9:52 AM

Sounds like the perfect Halloween cocktail. I love the picture of you holding the glass! So cool!
Natasha @ The Cake Merchant recently posted..Dark Chocolate Speculoos Truffle Cake

46 Kiran October 31, 2013 at 1:56 AM

Natasha — thank you so much! glad you loved the shot 🙂

47 Sissi October 27, 2013 at 12:37 PM

Your sangria looks and sounds excellent. We don’t celebrate Halloween here but I think I might find another occasion to prepare this drink 😉
Sissi recently posted..Pork Tenderloin Braised in Soy Sauce with Star Anise

48 Gintare @Gourmantine October 27, 2013 at 1:07 PM

Pumpkin sangria sounds intriguingly original, but that photo of holding the glass is fascinating!
Gintare @Gourmantine recently posted..A spark of inspiration

49 john@kitchenriffs October 27, 2013 at 2:02 PM

Great drink! We make a hot apple cider and rum drink sometimes, but I’ve never had anything like your sangria. Definitely something I want to try! Thanks so much.
john@kitchenriffs recently posted..Winter Squash Gratin

50 Kiran October 31, 2013 at 2:06 AM

John — thanks! love hot apple cider, but the current weather in FL isn’t hot cider appropriate 😀

51 Shobelyn October 27, 2013 at 4:31 PM

I love the color of this sangria. It can fool me that it is apple cider/ juice. I also like the “drama” the pictures exuded.Specially the black and white effect of your hand, and the replica diamond spider rings. You really put a lot of thought in your photo composition.Very inspiring.
Shobelyn recently posted..Easy Chicken Recipe for Dinner – Grilled Chicken Thigh

52 Kiran October 31, 2013 at 2:10 AM

Shobelyn — thank you so so much for the kinds words, my friend 🙂 xo

53 Archana @ feedingthefoodie October 27, 2013 at 7:57 PM

Brilliant! Love the pics. Very spooky! Love the sangria too. Perfect for a grown up Halloween!
Archana @ feedingthefoodie recently posted..Vegan Rice Bowl

54 Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl October 27, 2013 at 8:16 PM

I’m in love with how spooky and how festive this post is! Just makes me want to invite you to halloween party! 🙂
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl recently posted..Just Dance: A Super Fun Workout

55 Kiran October 31, 2013 at 2:12 AM

Pamela — haha, thanks and I’m waiting for the invite 😉

56 Nik October 27, 2013 at 10:06 PM

I love this fall themed sangria, it looks gorgeous!
Nik recently posted..sriracha pumpkin soup

57 Kelly October 28, 2013 at 3:42 AM

I love the photos and the styling – everything looks absolutely amazing Kiran! Pinning! Very spooky and perfect for Halloween indeed! Hehe, love Target too, can’t seem to leave empty handed no matter how much I try:)
Kelly recently posted..Chocolate Ombre Rose Cake with a Surprise

58 Kiran October 31, 2013 at 2:14 AM

Kelly — thanks so much, friend 🙂

59 Rosa October 28, 2013 at 3:46 AM

A great sangria! I love those dark and Halloweenesque pictures.

Cheers,

Rosa

60 Kathryn October 28, 2013 at 9:07 AM

These photographs are incredible! I love the dark and moody look you’ve captured. Really wonderful!
Kathryn recently posted..heston’s chocolate chip cookies (updated)

61 Dan from Platter Talk October 28, 2013 at 9:11 AM

Maybe because it’s my upcoming trip to Central America, maybe it’s because I am missing the dog days of summer, here in the mid-west. Whatever the reason, I have had sangria on my mind for the past couple of weeks. Thanks to your post, I can now get it off my mind and on my table; Thanks for this wonderful idea!
Dan from Platter Talk recently posted..Chicken and Rice with Crushed Pinapple

62 Kiran October 31, 2013 at 2:18 AM

Dan — lol, whatever the motivation be, hopefully you’ll enjoy this recipe. happy halloween 🙂

63 Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies October 28, 2013 at 8:23 PM

I love your spooky photos–so cool! What a great fall twist on the classic sangria!
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies recently posted..Recipe | Meaty Mushroom Marinara Sauce

64 Mallika October 29, 2013 at 12:39 AM

It’s so hard for me to pick the best click amongst all here, but I am totally in love with your 3rd click. The faint dark background of you holding the beautiful glass of sangria in the foreground. And those spider rings… aaaw, envy, envy!!! The sangria looks so festive and stunning.
Mallika recently posted..Gojju Avalakki / HuLi Avalakki

65 Kiran October 31, 2013 at 2:28 AM

Mallika — aww, thanks so much my friend 🙂

66 Mallika October 29, 2013 at 12:42 AM

I posted a comment earlier, but it vanished!

Love all your clicks. They are stunning. Hard to choose the best! Esp. the 3rd click with moody dark background of you holding that beautiful glass of Sangria, it’s simply stunning.

The Sangria certainly looks spooky and festive.
Mallika recently posted..Gojju Avalakki / HuLi Avalakki

67 Kiran October 31, 2013 at 2:29 AM

Mallika — nope! it did went through 😉

68 Anne ~ Uni Homemaker October 29, 2013 at 12:57 AM

I hear so many bloggers praise Target lately. They are fantastic and so is this cocktail. Thanks for sharing Kiran, love the styling! 🙂
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker recently posted..Pumpkin Espresso Chocolate Chip Bread

69 Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella October 29, 2013 at 4:16 AM

I will be so sad when Halloween is over! I love it to bits. I’ve got one more post to go and then I switch over to regular life *sigh*
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella recently posted..Armadillo Cake

70 Kiran October 31, 2013 at 2:29 AM

Lorraine — and I’ll miss your fun and creative Halloween posts. until next year, my friend 🙂

71 Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen October 29, 2013 at 9:14 AM

What a GREAT photo! Love the theme for October! The drink sounds absolutely divine too. Such gorgeous photos and yet it looks like a fun set to put together. LOVE!
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen recently posted..Earl’s Clam Chowder

72 Shumaila The Novice Housewife October 29, 2013 at 10:49 AM

Love love love the spider rings and the moody pics. I am in India these days and loving it here, but am a little bummed about missing out on all the Halloween festivities. Well, I will live it through your pictures 🙂

73 Kiran October 31, 2013 at 2:36 AM

Shumaila — aww, thanks sweet and have fun in India. i’ll be there soon 🙂

74 Vicki Bensinger October 30, 2013 at 12:46 PM

I caught a glimpse of the title of this on Kitchen Bellicious while posting a comment and had to come by to see what this consisted of. Wow it sounds really good and the perfect drink to serve Halloween night to the adults. Great recipe, I’ll be sure to save it to try.
Vicki Bensinger recently posted..Oh So Good – Homemade Peanut Butter Cups!

75 Kiran October 31, 2013 at 2:37 AM

Vicki — thanks so much! do let me know how it tastes. happy halloween 🙂

76 Lizzy (Good Things) October 31, 2013 at 4:01 AM

What fun! Love your recipe too.
Lizzy (Good Things) recently posted..Blueberry Dutch baby pancake with white chocolate

77 marla November 1, 2013 at 7:28 AM

LOVE this cocktail & your super playful photography!! Pinning!

78 laurasmess November 6, 2013 at 11:02 AM

Very, very cool. Love the photos, ha! Orange and black spookfest! Definitely trying this. It sounds divine. Pity Halloween is over, darn it. Never mind, I can still throw a ghost party… right Kiran? Haha xx
laurasmess recently posted..Aaron {Appreciation Post}

79 Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence November 7, 2013 at 6:53 PM

What an interesting twist 😉 I’ve never seen pumpkin-flavored bourbon, but it sounds like an infusion I need to make very soon!
Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence recently posted..Thanksgiving: Is it all about the turkey or sides?

80 Sophie November 10, 2013 at 8:02 AM

I made your divine drink for grown ups & it was superb, tasty & very apart too! xxx 😉
Sophie recently posted..A warm Puy lentil, parsnip & watercress salad!

81 lackadaisicalin84.soup.io May 22, 2014 at 10:28 AM

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82 Jacques October 8, 2016 at 5:02 PM

Hi,
My wife and I just made your sangria. It tastes awful.

Our most sincere condolences for your your bad taste,

Jacques

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