Honeycrisp Apple Cider Sangria

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 cup honey
• 6 whole green cardamom pods
• 3 whole cinnamon sticks
• 2 whole star anise pods
• 1 1/2 tsp whole cloves
• 1 3-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups cold-pressed apple cider
• 1 bottle white wine, pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc
• 1 cup apple brandy
• 5 large honeycrisp apples, cored and thinly sliced
• 1 cup ginger beer, optional

Instructions

1. 1

   Combine water, honey, cardamom, cinnamon, star anise, cloves, and ginger in saucepan; bring to boil

2. 2

   Stir until honey dissolves (about 3 min), reduce heat, cook 5 more minutes