I always like to have some great drink recipes and cocktails on hand for entertaining during the holiday season. Some of my favorites include a cranberry mimosa, Jack Frost cocktail, Grinch cocktail, champagne punch, Christmas margarita and this delicious and beautiful holiday sangria. Sangria is an amazing drink to enjoy year round, but it’s especially fun to do a winter version for the holidays. This Christmas sangria is loaded with color and flavor, and is even better when made ahead of time!
Christmas Sangria Ingredients
To make this recipe, you will need a bottle of white wine, unsweetened cranberry juice, sparkling apple cider, ginger ale, brandy, cinnamon sticks, apple, orange, star anise and fresh cranberries. You can garnish the drink with a sprig of rosemary and extra star anise.
How Do You Make Christmas Sangria?
Place the wine, brandy and cranberry juice in a large pitcher. Add the cinnamon sticks, orange slices, apple slices, star anise and fresh cranberries. Place the pitcher in the fridge to chill for at least two hours. When you’re ready to serve the drink, add the apple cider and ginger ale. Garnish the glasses with rosemary and star anise, then serve and enjoy.
Tips For The Perfect Drink
I recommend using a high quality white wine such as Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio for this recipe. Add the sparkling cider and ginger ale right before serving for the best results. Otherwise the drink could go flat if you add the sparkling liquids at the beginning. You can use any type of apple you like. Some of my favorite options include Pink Lady, Honeycrisp or Granny Smith. Sometimes I use two smaller clementines rather than a full sized orange for a different flavor and presentation. Leftover Christmas sangria will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Flavor Variations
While this recipe is delicious as is, there are so many different ways to customize Christmas sangria to your tastes.
Juice: Swap out the cranberry juice for orange juice, pomegranate juice or pear juice. You could also use ginger beer instead of ginger ale. Fruit: Try adding other fall and winter fruit such as sliced pears, limes, lemon or pomegranate seeds. Liquor: Try other types of wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling. You could also use orange liqueur instead of brandy. Garnishes: Garnish your glasses with sugared cranberries, mint sprigs, cinnamon sticks or crystallized ginger.
I make a batch of holiday sangria every year on Christmas Eve. It’s the best way to celebrate the season!
