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.
Jump to:
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.
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.
- 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.
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
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Print
Festive Cranberry Apple Sangria Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Beverage
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
This festive Christmas Sangria combines fresh fruit, aromatic spices, and a blend of wines and juices to create a refreshing holiday drink perfect for celebrations. Bursting with flavors of apple, cranberry, orange, and hints of rosemary and cinnamon, this sangria is both visually appealing and delicious, ideal for serving at holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Fruit
- 1.5 cups apple, sliced
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 navel orange
- 1 orange, sliced
Liquids and Sweeteners
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 2 cups unfiltered apple cider
- 1 cup unsweetened 100% cranberry juice
- 1 bottle sweet red wine of choice (750 ml)
Garnishes and Spices
- Fresh rosemary sprigs
- Cinnamon sticks
Instructions
- Prepare the fruit: Wash and slice the apples and oranges. If using a whole navel orange, slice it as well. Place the sliced apples, oranges, and cranberries into a large pitcher or punch bowl.
- Mix the liquids: Pour the sweet red wine, cranberry juice, apple cider, lemon juice, and honey into the pitcher with the fruit. Stir the mixture well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Add garnish and chill: Place fresh rosemary sprigs and cinnamon sticks on top of the mixture for aroma and decoration. Cover the pitcher and refrigerate the sangria for at least one hour or overnight to let the flavors meld.
- Serve and enjoy: After chilling, gently stir the sangria again, then serve it cold in glasses with some fruit pieces. Enjoy this festive holiday beverage with friends and family.
Notes
- Use unfiltered apple cider for a richer flavor and a cloudy appearance typical of traditional sangria.
- Adjust the amount of honey based on your desired sweetness level.
- For a non-alcoholic version, replace the sweet red wine with extra cranberry juice or grape juice.
- Letting the sangria chill overnight enhances the infusion of flavors, but a minimum of one hour works well if short on time.
- Fresh rosemary and cinnamon sticks can be omitted or replaced with other herbs and spices like thyme or star anise depending on preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 10 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Leave a Reply