This festive Holiday Sangria recipe will be the star of any party! It’s a big batch recipe that’s flavored with warming spices like cinnamon and allspice, with blood oranges and cranberries adding a fresh pop of flavor. If you’re looking for a low-effort party libation, this wintery sangria recipe is definitely for you!
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My Go-To Sangria Recipe for Holiday Parties
This festive red sangria is bursting with holiday cheer! Juicy red wine spiked with apple brandy and Grand Marnier plus cranberry juice, fresh fruit, spices, and sparkling cider makes for the best sangria recipe ever.
And just like any great sangria recipe, this holiday version is easy to customize. You can swap in different fruit, wine, and spirits according to your personal tastes!
Best of all, this is a make-ahead big batch cocktail that you can mix a day in advance. Sangria is best when you let it chill for 24 hours to really let the flavors meld, making your party prep even easier on the big day.
When you’re busy making a holiday feast, you want an easy cocktail that knocks it out of the park! This sangria is easy to prep and will have your guests in festive spirits.
Tools Needed
Here’s How to Make the Holiday Sangria
All you have to do is combine the following in a large punch bowl or pitcher. For best results, I suggest mixing your sangria the day before so the flavors have time to meld before serving.
- Wine. Red wine sangria is the most traditional, and I love how festive it looks.
- Apple brandy. It’s the holidays, so break out the booze! Brandy is a traditional sangria ingredient, and gives this sangria recipe a little extra. I used apple brandy, but you can use whatever you like!
- Grand Marnier. This French liqueur has a rich orange flavor that pairs beautifully with the red wine and apple brandy.
- Fruit. Citrus fruits, particularly oranges, are traditional and ideal for a holiday sangria. I used blood orange for this recipe because it’s delicious and in season! Add in some fresh or frozen cranberries and pomegranate seeds and you’re in business!
- Spices. Cinnamon is traditional and gives the sangria a festive flavor. I also added some allspice berries.
- Fruit juice. I adore apple cranberry sangria around the holidays, so I used cranberry-apple juice to make this sangria. As a bonus, the juice also gives the sangria a beautiful red hue.
- Sweetener. Simple syrup is my go-to here because it mixes easily and you don’t have to dissolve it.
When you’re ready to serve, pour the sangria into glasses over ice and top with your choice of non-alcoholic sparkling apple cider or sparkling water!
Jenny’s Tip: Use Any Wine You Like, Just Make Sure It’s Good!
The most important principle of making holiday sangria is to only use wine that you would drink on its own! No amount of fruit, juice, and spice can cover up a wine that’s not worth drinking. This doesn’t mean that you’ve got to spend a mint, but choose something quality. Trader Joe’s has excellent and diverse wines at a very affordable price point.
Here are some of my favorite wines:
Red Wine: Tempranillo is classic choice and a full-bodied red wine. If you want to go with Spanish wines, Grenache and Rioja are also great options. If you want a lighter bodied and fruiter red wine, opt for a flavorful Pinot Noir.
White/Rose Wine: While red wine is traditional, you can definitely make this sangria recipe with white or rose wine! If you want a lighter sangria, try a Spanish white wine like Albariño. You could also opt for a Sauvignon Blanc or a Chenin Blanc for a light and citrusy flavor. A rose would also be great, just choose your favorite!
Ways to Customize Your Sangria
This recipe is so great because it’s easily adaptable to your tastes. Here are some easy swaps you can make to your big batch holiday sangria:
- Swap the red wine for white wine or rose.
- Use sliced apple, grapefruit, or lemons in place of the blood orange.
- Replace the apple brandy with vodka or white rum.
- Instead of apple-cranberry juice, use a different cranberry juice blend or try cherry juice.
If you give this recipe a try, be sure to let me know. Leave a comment with a star rating below. Be sure to subscribe to my weekly newsletter and never miss a new recipe! You can also snap a photo & tag @JENNYGOYCOCHEA onInstagram. I LOVE hearing about & seeing your SMF creations!
More Festive Cocktail Recipes
- Cranberry Old Fashioned
- Boozy Homemade Eggnog
- Bourbon Apple Cider Fizz
- Pumpkin Spice Mule
- Irish Coffee
- Spiced Mulled Wine
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The Ultimate Holiday Sangria Recipe
Ingredients
- 750 ml Bottle Red Wine
- 1 1/4 cups Apple Brandy
- 1/2 cup Grand Marnier (or Orange Liqueur)
- 2 1/2 cups Cranberry-Apple Juice
- 1/3 cup Simple Syrup*
- 2 Blood Oranges , sliced
- 1 1/2 cups Fresh or Frozen Cranberries
- 1/2 cup Pomegranate Seeds
- 3 Cinnamon Sticks
- 10 Allspice Berries
- Sparkling Water or Sparkling Apple Cider**, for topping
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients except the sparkling water/cider in a large pitcher or mason jar. Stir well to combine. Refrigerate for 24 hours.
- To serve, pour the sangria into glasses over ice and top as desired with sparkling water or cider.
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