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Festive pitcher and glasses of cranberry pomegranate holiday punch with orange slices, cranberries, rosemary, and cinnamon sticks, set against glowing Christmas tree lights

Christmas Sangria

This christmas sangria recipe blends dry red wine, cranberry juice, fresh fruit, and warm spices into an easy, make-ahead holiday drink that’s perfect for parties and relaxed nights in.
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Course: Cocktails
Cuisine: American
Keyword: big batch holiday drinks, Christmas party drinks, easy entertaining cocktails, festive winter beverages, Holiday cocktail for a crowd, make ahead party drinks, New Year cocktail ideas
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chilling Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 10
Calories: 130kcal
Author: Jennifer Locklin

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Ingredients

Instructions

Prepare the Sangria Base

  • Pour the red wine into a large pitcher.
    1 (750 mL) bottle red wine (Cabernet or similar dry red)
  • Add the cranberry juice, vodka, and apple cider.
    1 cup vodka, 1 cup cranberry juice, 1 cup apple cider
  • Stir gently to combine.

Add Fruit and Spices

  • Add the sliced red apple, sliced green apple, orange slices, fresh cranberries, and cinnamon sticks to the pitcher.
    1 Honeycrisp apple, 1 Granny Smith apple, orange, 1 cup fresh cranberries, 4 cinnamon sticks
  • Stir gently to distribute the fruit and spices evenly.

Chill

  • Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to blend.

Finish and Serve

  • Just before serving, remove the pitcher from the refrigerator.
  • Pour in the ginger beer and stir gently.
    2 cans ginger beer
  • Serve over ice if desired.
  • Garnish glasses with rosemary sprigs and additional cinnamon sticks.
    Fresh rosemary sprigs, Additional cinnamon sticks

Notes

Ingredient Substitutions
  • Vodka may be replaced with brandy or orange liqueur for a different flavor profile.
  • Any crisp apple variety works well, including Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji.
  • Ginger ale may be used in place of ginger beer for a milder finish.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
  • Serve alongside cheese boards, roasted nuts, or holiday appetizers.
  • Pairs well with roasted meats, charcuterie, and savory finger foods.
Storage and Make-Ahead
  • The sangria base (without ginger beer) can be made up to 24 hours in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator.
  • Add ginger beer immediately before serving to maintain carbonation.
Freezing
  • Freezing is not recommended due to the carbonation and fresh fruit texture.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 drink | Calories: 130kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 97mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 41IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 0.4mg

*Nutrition information is automatically calculated based on ingredient data and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient options are provided, the first listed is used for calculation. Optional ingredients and garnishes are not included in the nutrition analysis.