There's something downright magical about a drink that smells like holiday cheer and tastes even better. This Festive Cranberry Sangria Recipe blends crisp apples, tart cranberries, and warming cinnamon to fill your glass with seasonal joy—and it’s surprisingly simple to make.

The image shows three glasses filled with a deep red drink. Each glass has a green sugar rim and is filled with ice cubes, floating cranberries, and slices of orange and red fruit. One glass, in focus, has a cinnamon stick and a rosemary sprig placed inside, standing upright. The glasses are clear and set on round white coasters with gold rims, placed on a light wooden board. The background has a white marbled texture with a blurred red and white cloth and extra cranberries scattered around. 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 Sangria Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Cranberry Sangria Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Cranberry Sangria Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Every year, I look forward to mixing up this Festive Cranberry Sangria Recipe because it’s like catching the spirit of the season in a glass. It’s fruity but balanced, refreshing but cozy—perfect for warming up holiday gatherings or just relaxing by the fire.

Bright & Fresh Flavor: The fresh fruit and lemon juice keep the sangria lively and not overly sweet.
Easy to Make Ahead: It chills beautifully, so you can prepare it a day in advance and impress your guests stress-free.
Festive Touches: Cinnamon sticks and rosemary sprigs add a warming aroma and look stunning in the pitcher.
Customizable: You can tweak the sweetness or swap ingredients to fit your tastes without losing the essence of the flavors.

The image shows three round glasses filled with a deep red drink layered with floating cranberries, orange slices, and a cinnamon stick each, topped with a sprig of rosemary. The glass rims are coated with green sugar crystals. The glasses are placed on round white coasters with golden edges, which rest on a wooden board. Around the board are some scattered fresh cranberries, a small bowl of cranberries, and festive decorations including a green glittery bauble, pine branches, and a checkered red cloth. The background features green fir branches and a red candle holder, all set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This sangria brings together crisp, tart, and spicy elements to create a truly balanced drink—especially perfect during the holidays. When shopping, look for ripe, firm apples and a sweet but not overpowering red wine for the best results.

Flat lay of fresh red cranberries scattered next to a small white ceramic bowl of golden honey, bright orange navel fruit whole and another orange sliced into thin rounds, crisp light green apple slices arranged neatly, a few fresh green rosemary sprigs, two cinnamon sticks placed parallel, a small white ceramic bowl filled with deep red cranberry juice, a small white ceramic bowl containing pale yellow lemon juice, and a small white ceramic bowl with amber unfiltered apple cider, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed 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: Adds crisp texture and subtle sweetness; Fuji or Honeycrisp shine here.
Fresh or frozen cranberries: Provide tart punch and vibrant color; fresh is best but frozen work well too.
Navel orange & orange slices: Bring bright citrus notes that lighten the drink and add natural sweetness.
Fresh rosemary sprigs: Aromatic herb that gives that festive piney note; don’t skip this for the full experience.
Honey: Natural sweetener that rounds out tartness without tasting artificial.
Lemon juice: Adds zing and balances the sweetness for a refreshing finish.
Cinnamon sticks: Infuse warm spice slowly, making the sangria cozy and inviting.
Apple cider (unfiltered): Brings body and authentic fall flavor; unfiltered adds more richness.
Cranberry juice (unsweetened): Amplifies that tangy cranberry flavor without extra sweetness.
Sweet red wine: Choose a fruity, smooth bottle like a Spanish Tempranillo or a medium-bodied Merlot for best balance.

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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

This recipe gives you a fantastic base, but I love to tweak it depending on the occasion. You might want it sweeter or a little lighter—feel free to experiment! A splash of sparkling water makes it fizz, which is a hit around my family’s festive table.

Variation: When serving to a crowd who prefer less alcohol, I swap half the red wine for sparkling apple cider—still festive but a bit gentler.
Dietary Mod: For a vegan-friendly version, ensure your honey is replaced with agave syrup or maple syrup, which work just as well.
Seasonal Twist: Swap rosemary with fresh thyme or add star anise for a different warm spice aroma that’s just as festive.

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

Step 1: Prepare Your Fruits and Base

Start by washing and slicing your apples and oranges. Add your sliced apples, orange slices, and whole cranberries to a large pitcher or punch bowl. This layering lets the fruit flavors infuse the sangria wonderfully as it sits.

Step 2: Mix the Liquids and Sweeten

Next, pour in your bottle of sweet red wine, unsweetened cranberry juice, and unfiltered apple cider. Add fresh lemon juice and drizzle the honey on top, then stir everything until the honey is fully incorporated. This careful mixing ensures every sip is perfectly balanced.

Step 3: Add the Festive Spices and Chill

Top off with cinnamon sticks and a few sprigs of fresh rosemary. I like to lightly bruise the rosemary first to help release its aroma. Then, cover and refrigerate your sangria for at least an hour—overnight is best if you have time for those flavors to marry.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

When you're ready, give the sangria one last gentle stir. Serve over ice if you like, using a spoon to scoop some fruit into each glass. Guests love picking out the cinnamon sticks and rosemary sprigs—always a fun touch!

Top Tip

Through years of making this sangria, I’ve picked up a few tips that really take it from good to unforgettable. Whether it’s for a quiet night in or a packed holiday party, these little tricks help you nail it every time.

Use Unfiltered Apple Cider: It adds depth and a fresh apple zing that filtered versions just don’t have.
Don’t Skip the Chill Time: Allow the flavors to mingle for at least an hour so everything softens and blends beautifully.
Lightly Bruise Rosemary: Gently crushing the rosemary releases its fragrant oils without overpowering the sangria.
Balance Sweetness and Tartness: Adjust honey and lemon juice to your preference, tasting as you go to avoid a one-dimensional flavor.

How to Serve Festive Cranberry Sangria Recipe

Festive Cranberry Sangria - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love garnishing with extra fresh rosemary sprigs for that woodsy aroma and adding a few whole cranberries or orange slices in each glass to keep things festive and colorful. A cinnamon stick in the glass doubles as a stirring stick and adds a lovely touch, too.

Side Dishes

This sangria pairs beautifully with holiday appetizers like baked brie with cranberry chutney, spiced nuts, or smoked meats. I often serve it alongside a charcuterie board loaded with cheeses, crackers, and dried fruits—it’s a combo that keeps everyone nibbling happily.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, try serving the sangria in a large glass punch bowl garnished with floating fruit and herbs. I’ve also used festive glassware rimmed with sugar and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon—instantly turns the drink into a holiday party star.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftovers chilled in a sealed pitcher or container. It holds up well for up to 2 days, but I find the fruit can start to get mushy after that. Just stir gently before serving to redistribute the flavors.

Freezing

I don’t recommend freezing this sangria because the fresh fruit and wine don’t thaw back well—textures get weird and separation happens. It’s best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated.

Reheating

This sangria is meant to be served cold or at room temperature. I usually don’t reheat it, but if you want a warm version, gently heat it on the stove without boiling, similar to mulled wine, and spice it up more with additional cinnamon and cloves.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use white wine for this sangria?

Absolutely! White wine, especially a fruity one like a Riesling or Pinot Grigio, can be a delicious base for this sangria. It will lighten the drink and give it a crisp finish.

How far ahead can I make the sangria?

You can prepare the sangria up to 24 hours in advance. This extra time lets the flavors meld perfectly. Just be sure to keep it refrigerated until serving.

Can I make this sangria non-alcoholic?

Yes! Swap the red wine for additional apple cider or cranberry juice and add sparkling water or soda for fizz. It’s a festive and refreshing mocktail any guest will enjoy.

What’s the best way to serve this sangria?

Serve this sangria chilled over ice with garnishes like rosemary, fresh cranberries, and orange slices. Using a clear glass or pitcher shows off the beautiful colors and festive fruit, making it extra special.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Cranberry Sangria Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s the drink we gather around for laughter, stories, and cheers every holiday season. I’m confident you’ll find it just as delightful and easy to love. Go ahead—mix up a batch, invite some friends or family, and let this sangria add a splash of joy to your celebrations!