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–+ servings
glass pitcher with wine, cinnamon sticks, and cranberries.
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Christmas Sangria 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 Time5 minutes
Chilling time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 5 minutes
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Christmas, cranberry apple sangria, red wine hoilday sangria
Servings: 5 people
Calories: 264kcal
Author: Katie

Equipment

  • 1 gallon or larger pitcher
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons or long stirring spoon

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
  • 1½ cups apple cider
  • 1 cup cranberry juice
  • fresh rosemary (for garnish)

Instructions

  • Prepare the fruit.  Add the diced apple, fresh cranberries, and cinnamon stick to a large pitcher (at least 1 gallon).
    diced apples and fresh cranberries in pitcher.
  • Add the liquids.  Pour in the red wine, apple brandy, black raspberry liqueur, apple cider, and cranberry juice. Stir until well combined.
    pitcher with red wine and fruit.
  • Chill and serve.  Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld. If you want, serve the sangria over ice or plain, garnished with fresh rosemary sprigs and extra cranberries.
    overhead view of red sangria with berries floating on top.

Notes

Don’t spend a lot on an expensive bottle of wine—any dry red wine, like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon, works fine.  The natural flavors in the sangria come from the fruit and liqueurs, so a high-end wine isn’t necessary.
For apples, choose a crisp, slightly tart variety like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith to balance out the sweetness.  They keep their crunch even after soaking, adding a nice texture to each glass.
If you’re low on ice or want to keep the sangria cold without diluting it, throw in some frozen cranberries.  They look festive and work like little ice cubes without changing the taste.
If you like a bit of fizz, add a splash of club soda, ginger ale, or sparkling apple cider to each glass before serving.  It gives a refreshing touch and a bit of fun bubbles!
Add fresh rosemary sprigs or extra cranberries just before serving for a lovely holiday look.  Don’t let the rosemary sit in the pitcher too long, or it can become too strong.  Adding it at the last minute keeps the flavor just right.
For an extra holiday taste, include a few slices of orange or a splash of orange liqueur.  The citrus taste of the sangria pairs well with the apple and cranberry.
If you’re serving this at a party where it will sit out, consider putting the pitcher in an ice bucket or keeping some ice packs in a cooler nearby to keep refills cold.  Cold sangria is the best choice and is refreshing!

Nutrition

Calories: 264kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 351mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 54IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1mg