Description
A festive and refreshing Christmas Sangria bursting with seasonal flavors of apples, cranberries, citrus, and warm spices. Perfect to prepare ahead and serve chilled at holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits
- 1.5 cups sliced apple
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 navel orange
- 1 orange sliced
Liquids & 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)
Spices & Garnish
- Fresh rosemary sprigs
- 2 cinnamon sticks
Instructions
- Prepare the fruits: Add the sliced apples, sliced orange, whole navel orange (sliced or peeled if desired), and cranberries into a large pitcher or punch bowl to create the base of the sangria.
- Add liquids and sweeteners: Pour in the sweet red wine, cranberry juice, apple cider, lemon juice, and drizzle the honey over the fruits. Stir gently but thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
- Garnish with spices: Place fresh rosemary sprigs and cinnamon sticks on top as aromatic garnish to infuse warm holiday flavors.
- Chill the sangria: Cover the pitcher and refrigerate the sangria for at least 1 hour or preferably overnight to allow flavors to meld and chill.
- Serve and enjoy: Pour the chilled sangria into glasses, optionally adding some fruit pieces for garnish, and enjoy the festive drink.
Notes
- Use unfiltered apple cider for a richer, more natural apple flavor.
- Adjust honey amount according to desired sweetness; replace with maple syrup for a vegan option.
- For more intense spice flavor, gently muddle the cinnamon sticks and rosemary before adding them.
- Can be made a day ahead to enhance flavors.
- Use a sweet red wine like Zinfandel or Merlot for a balanced fruity profile.
- Serve over ice if preferred colder or more diluted.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 160 kcal
- Sugar: 18 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: 0.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
