Apple Chai Sangria

Had this at a bar in Cedarburg.  Can't even remember what bar. But I took a menu of the drink ingredients and tried to recreate it.  It simply said: Malbec wine, apple puree, and chai simple syrup. No ratios.  Here's my best rendition. 

Makes: 4-5 

Ingredients for Chai Simple Syrup:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tea bags of chai
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Ingredients for Apple Puree

• 3 apples (Pink Lady, McIntosh, Cortland,  Fuji, Golden Delicious, Jazz, Royal Gala, Jonathan have the best flavor for this)
• 1/8 cup water
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon

Finally, the Sangria ingredients:

• 5 oz Wine (The restaurant used Malbec and so did I but I bet many red wines would work) 
• 1 oz chai simple syrup
• 1 TBPS apple puree

Instructions for Chai Simple Syrup:

1. Heat water and sugars in small sauce pan over low-medium heat until sugar is dissolved.  Stir while heating
2. When sugar has dissolved add the Chai bags and let rest until cooled. 
3. Remove chai bags and add vanilla.  Stir
4. Place in an airtight container for future use.

Instructions for Apple Puree:

1. Core, peel, and cut apples into chunks.
2. Place apples, water, and vanilla into small sauce pan over low heat for 10-20 min or until apples are tender.  Stir occasionally. 
3. When soft puree.  I used an emulsion blender, but you could use a food processor or regular blender. Go for a very fine puree because otherwise your beverage will be chunky. 

*Would also make great apple sauce, can leave chunkier for that.

*Can play around with other spices instead of or with cinnamon, as chai is a blend of many spices.  Some suggestions: ginger, star anise, nutmeg. 

Instructions for Sangria:

1. I tried it with and without ice.  Personally, I liked the warm version better, but ice as you choose.
2. Add 5oz wine, 1 oz chai simple syrup, and 1 TBPS apple puree, and stir. 

**Could try substituting apple cider for Apple Puree. 

Adapted from: random restaurant I can't remember's menu

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