There’s something about the combination of crisp apples, tart cranberries, and warm spices that just screams holiday cheer. This Festive Cranberry Apple Sangria Recipe is my go-to when I want a drink that’s both refreshing and cozy, perfect for gathering with friends or unwinding after a busy day.

A clear round glass filled with deep red liquid with several red cranberries and thin orange slices floating inside; the glass rim is coated with green sugar crystals and topped with a cinnamon stick and a small sprig of green rosemary. The glass sits on a white coaster with a gold edge, which is placed on a round wooden board. In the background, parts of similar glasses with the same red drink and garnishes are visible, all set on a white marbled surface with scattered cranberries and green leaves nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Cranberry Apple Sangria Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Cranberry Apple Sangria Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Cranberry Apple Sangria Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

What I adore about this Festive Cranberry Apple Sangria Recipe is how it captures the essence of the holidays without being overly complicated. It blends fresh fruit and spices in a way that’s both vibrant and comforting, making it a total crowd-pleaser.

Fresh, Seasonal Ingredients: Using actual cranberries, apples, and orange slices gives this sangria a lively, tangy pop you won’t get from just juice.
Balanced Sweetness: Honey and apple cider add just the right amount of natural sweetness without overpowering the wine.
Festive Aromatics: Rosemary sprigs and cinnamon sticks don’t just look pretty—they infuse the sangria with cozy, holiday spice notes.
Make-Ahead Magic: It tastes even better after sitting in the fridge, giving flavors time to blend so you can prep ahead for any party.

Three clear round glasses filled with a deep red drink sit on white coasters with gold edges, placed on a wooden board over a white marbled surface. Each glass has a green sugar-edged rim, floating red cranberries, orange slices, and a cinnamon stick with a sprig of rosemary for garnish. Scattered cranberries and small green pine branches surround the scene, with a red candle and festive decorations in the blurred background. The setting has a cozy, holiday feel, and the photo was taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Festive Cranberry Apple Sangria Recipe plays a special role to create a drink that’s vibrant and layered. When you grab ingredients, aim for freshness whenever possible to get that bright, holiday zing.

Flat lay of fresh apple slices arranged neatly beside a bright whole navel orange and thin orange slices, a small cluster of plump fresh cranberries, a few vibrant green rosemary sprigs, whole cinnamon sticks laid in parallel, small white ceramic bowls containing golden honey and pale yellow lemon juice, a white ceramic bowl filled with amber unfiltered apple cider, and another white bowl holding deep red unsweetened cranberry juice, all placed symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Apple slices: I prefer a crisp variety like Fuji or Honeycrisp for their sweetness and crunch, which hold up well in sangria.
Fresh or frozen cranberries: Fresh cranberries add a tart pop and gorgeous color; frozen works perfectly too and adds a nice chill.
Navel orange: The orange slices bring subtle citrus brightness and a pretty contrast.
Rosemary sprigs: These fresh herbs add an unexpected piney aroma that instantly feels festive.
Honey: Honey’s natural floral sweetness blends beautifully without being cloying.
Lemon juice: Just a touch balances all the sweetness with a crisp zing.
Cinnamon sticks: These infuse the sangria with warm depth and a classic holiday spice note.
Apple cider (unfiltered): Unfiltered apple cider has the best texture and natural apple flavor–avoid the clear kind for less punch.
Cranberry juice (unsweetened): This adds color and tartness without extra sugar.
Sweet red wine (your choice): Pick a fruity, medium-bodied wine like a Zinfandel or Merlot for a smooth foundation.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Festive Cranberry Apple Sangria Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. I often tweak it to match the mood or ingredient availability, and you can too—sanity and flavor both win!

Variation: When it’s extra chilly outside, I like to warm up a batch on the stove and serve it like mulled wine. Just skip the ice and gently heat until almost simmering—just delicious!
Fruit swaps: Pomegranate seeds or pears also work beautifully if you want to mix up the fruit profile.
Dietary modifications: For a lighter version, swap the sweet red wine for sparkling white grape juice and keep everything else the same.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Cranberry Apple Sangria Recipe

Step 1: Load the Fruit

Start by placing your sliced apples, cranberries, and the orange slices into a large pitcher or punch bowl. I find mixing the colorful fruit right away helps me see if I’ve got enough to fill the jug and creates a festive look even before the liquids go in.

Step 2: Add Your Liquids and Sweetness

Pour in the bottle of sweet red wine, followed by the unsweetened cranberry juice, apple cider, and fresh lemon juice. Drizzle the honey over the mixture and stir it all together thoroughly—honey can sometimes stick, so give it a good swirl until fully incorporated.

Step 3: Garnish and Chill

Top your sangria with rosemary sprigs and a couple of cinnamon sticks. These not only infuse flavor over time, but also make your sangria look like it belongs on the holiday table. Pop it in the refrigerator and let it chill for at least an hour, but honestly, overnight is best to let all those flavors marry beautifully.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

When you’re ready, give the sangria a gentle stir and serve it with some of the fruit in each glass. It’s a total hit every time and makes guests feel like you’re really celebrating the season together.

Top Tip

From my experience whipping up this Festive Cranberry Apple Sangria Recipe multiple times, a little attention to chilling and stirring really makes the flavors sing. These tips have helped avoid watery sangria and kept the balance spot on.

Chill Time Matters: Don’t rush it—letting the sangria rest in the fridge for several hours or overnight amps up the flavor infusion.
Honey Blend: Add honey slowly and stir well to avoid clumps; if necessary, warm it slightly before adding.
Fruit Freshness: Use firm, fresh apples to prevent mushiness after soaking in the liquid.
Stir Before Serving: Give the sangria a gentle stir to redistribute flavors just before pouring into glasses.

How to Serve Festive Cranberry Apple Sangria Recipe

cranberry apple sangria - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with fresh rosemary sprigs and cinnamon sticks right in the pitcher—the smell alone is a gift. For individual glasses, toss in a few cranberries or a thin orange slice. It looks festive and ups the flavor game.

Side Dishes

This sangria pairs beautifully with cheese boards featuring sharp cheddar and nutty gouda. I also love serving it alongside roasted nuts or spiced cookies for a perfect balance of sweet and savory.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I’ve layered sangria with floating cranberries and star anise in a clear glass punch bowl. Adding festive drink stirrers or cinnamon stick straws gives it that extra special touch that guests always notice.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftover sangria (and who doesn’t?), just cover it tightly and keep it refrigerated. I’ve found it stays fresh and flavorful for up to 2 days, but the fruit doesn’t hold up quite as well after that, so best to enjoy sooner.

Freezing

Freezing sangria isn’t something I usually do because ice can dull the wine’s brightness, but you can freeze the fruit separately to add fresh to a new batch later—just a little hack I use when I have leftover cranberries!

Reheating

For a cozy twist on serving, you can warm leftover sangria gently on the stove, like mulled wine. Just heat it on low until warm (don’t boil), then serve with a cinnamon stick for a comforting sip on cold evenings.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this sangria non-alcoholic?

Absolutely! Swap the sweet red wine for a sparkling grape juice or a non-alcoholic red wine alternative. Keep the rest of the ingredients the same for a festive, kid-friendly punch.

How long should I let the sangria chill before serving?

For the best flavor, chill the sangria for at least 1 hour, but I recommend letting it sit overnight if you can. This allows the flavors to meld and the fruit to infuse the liquid with extra taste.

What type of wine works best for this recipe?

Choose a fruity, medium-bodied sweet red wine such as Zinfandel, Merlot, or a Spanish Garnacha. Avoid heavy or overly tannic wines, which can overpower the fresh, bright flavors in the sangria.

Can I prepare sangria in advance for a party?

Definitely! This Festive Cranberry Apple Sangria Recipe actually improves with time. Make it the night before your event to let all the flavors develop and to save yourself stress on party day.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Cranberry Apple Sangria Recipe has become something I reach for every holiday season—it’s like a hug in a glass that brings people together. I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I do, whether you’re relaxing at home or hosting a merry little get-together. Trust me, once you try it, this sangria will be your new festive tradition.