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Christmas Sangria (Apple + Cranberry)

All the best flavors of winter: cranberry, apple, and cinnamon combine with wine and flavored liquors for an easy holiday drink your guests will love

Perfect for any Christmas party, this drink is easy to make and features all the cozy and sweet flavors of the holidays. You’ll love the sweet and tart taste of this sangria, as well as its beautiful red color.

2 glasses of red sangria with rosemary and cinnamon stick.

❤️ Why you’ll love this recipe

  • It’s easy to make. Just pour and wait.
  • Festive and beautiful. The deep red color, the cinnamon sticks, the fresh cranberries… nothing could be prettier in November and December.
  • It’s truly delicious. You might think are too many fruit flavors going on, but you’d be wrong. They blend perfectly.

This is an overview of the ingredients. You’ll find the full measurements and instructions in the printable recipe at the bottom of the page.

ingredients on dark counter.

Here’s what you’ll need to make this grown-up winter drink:

  • fresh cranberries
  • fresh apple
  • cinnamon sticks
  • red wine 
  • apple brandy
  • black raspberry liquor
  • apple cider
  • cranberry juice
  • fresh rosemary

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  • pitcher
  • something long for stirring
  • serving glasses

🍴Instructions

Step One

diced apples and fresh cranberries in pitcher.

Add the diced apples, fresh cranberries, and cinnamon stick to the pitcher.

Step Two

pitcher with red wine and fruit.

Add the liquids. Pour in the red wine, apple brandy, black raspberry liquor, apple cider, and cranberry juice. Stir well.

Chill the drink before you serve it. You can either serve it over ice or just plain. If you want, you can add fresh rosemary and more cranberries.

🥫 Storage instructions

Store in a sealed container in the fridge. This will keep it fresh and prevent any changes in taste or texture.

If you have leftovers, drink them within 2 days.

🔍 FAQs

What are the best wines to use for Christmas Sangria?

This recipe calls for red wine, but feel free to experiment with different types. Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon would work well. You don’t have to buy an expensive bottle for this recipe, since the other flavors will mask any subtle notes in the wine.

Can I make this recipe with a different type of liquor?

Yes, try orange liqueur instead of black raspberry, or a different flavor of fruit brandy.

What kind of apples should I use?

Doesn’t matter. Honest.

👩🏻‍🍳 Expert tips

  • Make sure you let the sangria chill for at least 2 hours before serving, to let all the flavors blend.
  • If you want a little fizz in your Christmas Sangria, try adding a splash of sparkling water or ginger ale before serving.
  • You can also experiment with other winter fruits, like pears or blood oranges. There are no rules.

📘 Related Recipes

🍽 Serve it with

For an intimate Christmas gathering, serve your sangria alongside these dishes:

overhead view of red sangria with berries floating on top.

📖 Here’s the recipe

glass pitcher with wine, cinnamon sticks, and cranberries.
5 from 1 vote

Christmas Sangria Recipe

Print Recipe
All the best flavors of winter: cranberry, apple, and cinnamon combine with wine and flavored liquors for an easy holiday drink your guests will love
Prep Time:5 minutes
Chilling time:2 hours
Total Time:2 hours 5 minutes
Click here to grab a free seasonal e-cookbook!

Equipment

  • 1 gallon or larger pitcher

Ingredients

  • ½ cup fresh cranberries
  • 1 large apple peeled, cored, and diced
  • 1 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 bottle red wine 750 ML
  • ½ cup apple brandy
  • ½ cup black raspberry liquor
  • cups apple cider
  • 1 cup cranberry juice
  • fresh rosemary for garnish

Instructions

  • Place the fruit in the pitcher. Add the diced apples, fresh cranberries, and cinnamon stick in a pitcher.
  • Add the liquids. Add the red wine, apple brandy, black raspberry liquor, apple cider, and cranberry juice on top. Stir well.
  • Chill. Allow to chill for at least 2 hours before serving. Serve over ice or plain, with fresh rosemary and additional cranberries, if desired.

Notes

Don’t bother buying expensive wine or liquors for this recipe: there are so many other ingredients competing with them you’ll hardly notice!
You can make this the night before a party and let it chill overnight.
 
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: christmas sangria, cranberry apple sangria, red wine hoilday sangria
Servings: 5 people
Author: Katie Shaw
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