Applebee’s Red Apple Sangria was a seasonal menu favorite with a sweet-tart, apple-forward character that set it apart from a standard house sangria. This easy copycat blends full-bodied cabernet with red apple schnapps, pineapple juice, cranberry juice cocktail, and grenadine, finished with a splash of lemon-lime soda. Since Applebee’s no longer carries this drink, making it at home is the only way to enjoy it. Mix a single glass in under five minutes, or build a pitcher the night before your next fall gathering.

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Copycat Applebee's red apple sangria on a coaster.

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This copycat Applebee’s Red Apple Sangria is a wine-based cocktail that leans into the flavors of autumn. Red apple schnapps drives the apple character, while cabernet brings the structure and depth that keeps this from tasting like fruit punch. The result is a layered, balanced drink that works equally well for a quiet weeknight or a fall gathering.

Unlike traditional sangria, this version requires no macerated fruit and no overnight steeping. All six ingredients come together in a single glass in minutes. When you need to serve a crowd, it also scales cleanly into a pitcher you can prep the night before.

The original Applebee’s Red Apple Sangria was a variation on their classic Red Sangria, with one key swap: red apple schnapps in place of peach schnapps. That single change noticeably shifts the flavor profile, giving the drink a crisper, more autumn-forward feel.

Why this recipe works

Cabernet is the right wine for this drink. It is full-bodied and acidic enough to hold its own against the sweetness of the schnapps and juices without disappearing into the background. A lighter red or a white wine would tip the balance too far toward sweet.

The pineapple juice and cranberry juice cocktail pair well as a sweet-and-sour component that cuts through the wine’s richness. Pineapple juice adds tropical sweetness, while cranberry juice brings tartness and a deep ruby color. The combination keeps the drink balanced and refreshing rather than heavy.

Red apple schnapps delivers a clean apple flavor and a light sweetness without adding bulk or altering the drink’s texture. No apple cider, no muddled fruit, no advance prep required. One measure of schnapps does all the work.

Red Apple Sangria Ingredients

For this copycat Applebee’s Red Apple Sangria recipe, you’ll need:

Cabernet Sauvignon – Provides the wine base and structural backbone of the sangria. A full-bodied, acidic cabernet holds its character against the schnapps and juices.
DeKuyper Red Apple Schnapps – Delivers the defining apple flavor and a light sweetness that gives this sangria its autumn character.
Grenadine – Adds pomegranate-cherry sweetness, body, and a deep color to the finished drink.
Pineapple juice – Contributes tropical sweetness and softens the tartness of the cranberry juice.
Cranberry juice cocktail – Adds tartness, ruby color, and a sweet-and-sour bite that balances the wine’s richness.
Lemon-lime soda – Added last to preserve carbonation; brightens the texture and lifts the overall flavor.

Copycat Applebee's red apple sangria ingredients.

Ingredient Notes

Sutter Home Cabernet is the brand referenced in the original drink, but any inexpensive, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon works.
Choose a grenadine made with real pomegranate juice rather than a corn syrup-based version. Liber & Co. Real Grenadine is a reliable option. The flavor difference compared to artificial brands is significant.
Use a cranberry juice cocktail (such as Ocean Spray), not pure unsweetened cranberry juice. Pure cranberry juice is too tart and will throw off the drink’s balance.
If you cannot find DeKuyper Red Apple Schnapps, Shakka Red Apple Vodka is a workable substitute.
7-Up, Sprite, or Sierra Mist all work interchangeably as lemon-lime sodas.

How to Make The Best Red Apple Sangria

To prepare a single serving:

Pour all the ingredients except the lemon-lime soda into a mixing glass, then stir with a bar spoon.
Pour the Red Apple Sangria over ice and top with the lemon-lime beverage of your choice.

Collage of making copycat Applebee's red apple sangria.

Garnish with fresh fruit, a slice of red apple, and/or a maraschino cherry if you choose. You can also use a melon baller to make apple balls. Skewer an apple ball with a cocktail skewer or a small kebab skewer.

Two copycat Applebee's red apple sangria drinks.

What to Serve This Drink With?

A Red Apple Sangria pairs best with bright, smoky, and slightly sweet foods. Here are just a few suggestions for you to try:

Grilled chicken with pineapple and citrus salsa. The chicken’s slight smokiness complements the wine’s oakiness. At the same time, the fruit salsa echoes the flavors in the sangria.
Smoked salmon, red onions, capers, tomatoes, and cream cheese on a toasted bagel. The lox and bagel’s acidity, creaminess, and salty smokiness heighten the sangria’s sweet-and-sour aspects.
Fruit salad with fruit dip. The sweet acidity of the fruit and the creaminess of the dip pair wonderfully with the flavors of the sangria.

How to Make Applebee’s Red Apple Sangria Ahead of Time

Mix up enough Applebee’s Red Apple Sangria for eight servings:

Pour a bottle of Cabernet into a large pitcher.
Add a cup each of Red Apple Schnapps, pineapple juice, and cranberry juice.
Add half a cup of grenadine.
Stir well and chill in the fridge.

To serve:

Fill serving glasses with ice cubes.
Pour the Red Apple Sangria into the glasses, leaving an inch and a half at the top.
Add an inch of lemon-lime soda to the glass.
Stir, garnish with a quarter slice of red apple, and serve.

How Long Does Red Apple Sangria Last?

The wine will start to oxidize immediately, but you can keep a Sangria made without ice in the fridge for a day or two before serving.

Copycat Applebee's red apple sangria garnished with apple and other fruit.

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