Holiday sangria is the perfect festive cocktail to celebrate the season. Made with bold red wine, crisp apple cider, fresh cranberries, and cozy spices like cinnamon and star anise, this drink brings all the winter vibes into one glass. Whether you’re hosting a party or relaxing by the fire, this batch cocktail is easy to prep and guaranteed to impress. Serve it chilled, rimmed with cinnamon sugar, and garnished with rosemary for a drink that looks as stunning as it tastes.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 🍷 Great for a crowd – Batched and ready to pour
- 🍎 Seasonal ingredients – Apple, orange, cranberries, cinnamon
- ❄️ Festive flavors – Like mulled wine meets sangria
- 🌿 Gorgeous garnishes – Rosemary sprigs, cinnamon rims
- ⏱️ Make-ahead friendly – Tastes even better overnight
Ingredients
- 1 small honeycrisp apple, thinly sliced
- ¾ cup fresh cranberries
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 star anise pods (optional)
- 1 bottle (750 ml) red wine (red blend, cabernet, or merlot)
- 1 cup apple cider
- ½ cup Cointreau (or triple sec)
- 1 small orange, thinly sliced
For serving:
- Ground cinnamon
- Turbinado sugar
- Ice
- Fresh rosemary sprigs
Instructions
- Build the base: Add sliced apples, cranberries, cinnamon sticks, and star anise to a large pitcher.
- Add liquids: Pour in red wine, apple cider, and Cointreau. Stir gently.
- Finish with citrus: Tuck orange slices into the pitcher.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
- Serve: Rim glasses with cinnamon-sugar, fill with ice, pour sangria, and garnish with rosemary.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Chill Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Servings: 4–6
- Estimated Cost: $15–$20
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving – Approx.)
- Calories: 190
- Carbs: 20g
- Sugar: 14g
- Alcohol: ~11% ABV
Note: Nutrition varies depending on wine used and serving size.
Tips & Variations
- Use dry red wine for balance—Pinot Noir, Cabernet, or a red blend work great.
- Don’t skip chilling—It allows flavors to blend beautifully.
- Make it bubbly—Top glasses with sparkling water or Prosecco for a twist.
- No Cointreau? Use Grand Marnier or orange juice with vodka.
- Want it sweeter? Add a splash of maple syrup or honey before chilling.
Holiday Sangria
Equipment
- – Large pitcher
- Cutting board & knife
- – Citrus juicer (optional)
- – Serving glasses
Ingredients
- – 1 small honeycrisp apple sliced
- – ¾ cup fresh cranberries
- – 2 cinnamon sticks
- – 2 star anise pods optional
- – 1 bottle 750 ml dry red wine
- – 1 cup apple cider
- – ½ cup Cointreau
- – 1 small orange sliced
- **For serving:**
- – Ground cinnamon
- – Turbinado sugar
- – Ice
- – Fresh rosemary sprigs
Instructions
- Add sliced apples, cranberries, cinnamon sticks, and star anise to a pitcher.
- Pour in wine, cider, and Cointreau. Stir gently.
- Add orange slices.
- Cover and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Rim glasses with cinnamon-sugar. Fill with ice, pour sangria, garnish with rosemary.
Notes
– Add maple syrup for extra sweetness
– Sparkling topper optional for bubbly twist
FAQs
Can I make holiday sangria ahead of time?
Absolutely! It’s best after 8–24 hours in the fridge.
What kind of red wine should I use?
A dry or semi-dry red works best—red blends, cabernet sauvignon, or merlot.
Can I skip the star anise?
Yes, it adds warmth but is completely optional.
Can I double or triple the recipe?
Yes! Just use a larger pitcher or punch bowl and scale ingredients evenly.
Conclusion
This holiday sangria is everything a seasonal cocktail should be—easy to make, stunning to serve, and bursting with festive flavor. Make it for your next gathering or simply as a cozy sipper while wrapping gifts. Either way, this recipe is sure to become a holiday tradition.