The Ultimate Holiday Sangria | Best Red Sangria Recipe Ever (2024)

By: Krista

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Rating★★★★★ 4.9 from 8 votes

This easy Christmas sangria is filled with citrus, pomegranate, pear, and cinnamon for one irresistible holiday co*cktail! You’ll be the star of the holiday party with this easy co*cktail recipe!

Love sangria? Then you’ll love my White Wine Sangria and my classic Red Wine Sangria!

The Ultimate Holiday Sangria | Best Red Sangria Recipe Ever (1)

Table of Contents

  • The Ultimate Holiday Sangria
  • Why You’ll Love This Christmas Sangria Recipe
  • What is Sangria?
  • What You’ll Need for Christmas Sangria
  • How to Make Christmas Sangria
  • How Long Should I Let the Fruit Soak?
  • More Sangria Recipes to Try
  • More Holiday co*cktail Recipes
  • Get the Recipe

The Ultimate Holiday Sangria

No holiday is complete without a delicious sangria, in my humble opinion. I made this recipe last year for a Women’s Christmas Event and y’all, I literally tripled the recipe and it was gone in 30 minutes! No joke! So needless to say, everyone will love it!

With the holidays just around the corner and lots of fun parties to attend I thought I’d give you a recipe you can be proud of so let’s say cheers, clink our glasses, and get started!

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Sangria Recipe

  • Easy. One of the best things about sangrias is how easy they are to make. Just add everything to a pitcher, stir and chill.
  • Flavorful. All of the fresh fruit in this sangria adds tons of flavor! When combined with red wine, brandy and Grand Marnier the end result is totally delicious.
  • Festive. This simple co*cktail is ultra festive thanks to all the colors.
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What is Sangria?

Sangria is an alcoholic wine drink that is originally from Spain. It is traditionally made with red wine, chopped up fruits, fresh citrus and brandy or sometimes orange juice. Some versions are made with sparkling water, ginger ale and/or sweeteners.

What You’ll Need for Christmas Sangria

Here’s a quick overview of the ingredients you’ll need to make this holiday sangria. Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for specific amounts.

  • Red Wine: Use a dry red wine, like a Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Tempranillo. You don’t need to splurge because this wine will be infused with other flavors.
  • Brandy: This is the most common liquor added to Sangria.
  • Grand Marnier: I like to add grand marnier, it’s a combination of brandy and triple sec which gives it an orange flavor. Perfect for sangria.
  • Agave: Adds a little bit of sweetness to the sangria, can be omitted if you like.
  • Fresh Chopped Fruit: Typically you will see oranges and limes in sangria, in this recipe I used oranges, limes, fresh pear and pomegranate seeds for a holiday twist.
  • Cinnamon Sticks: What’s a holiday sangria without a little cinnamon, these cinnamon sticks will give the sangria a spiced tummy warming flavor that everyone will love.
  • Ginger Ale or Sparkling Water: A little bit of effervescence never hurt any one. The addition of ginger ale or sparkling water will give your sangria that edge on all the rest to make it stand out! Make sure you add this right before serving, not overnight!

The Best Red Wine for Sangria

Cabernet Sauvignon is the bigger better wine to use with Sangria. It has notes of black currant, blackberry, and sometimes cocoa or coffee. If you light a lighter more fruit-forward sangria I’d use Pinot Noir. Or if you really want to go for it and change it up you could use Rosé or a Sauvignon Blanc.

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How to Make Christmas Sangria

This easy holiday sangria comes together in a few simple steps. Here’s how to make it:

  • Combine fruit, agave, liquor, and spices. To a large pitcher add agave nectar, Grand Marnier, Brandy, orange slices, lime slices, pear slices, pomegranate seeds and cinnamon sticks.
  • Add wine. Next, pour one bottle of red wine into the pitcher. Stir to combine.
  • Chill. Cover with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator for 1-2 hours. (the longer it sits the better it will taste) I highly recommend overnight for maximum flavor.
  • Add some fizz. Right before you are about to serve sangria, top it with ginger ale and give a quick stir.
  • Pour over ice or serve chilled. Garnish with fresh limes and oranges.
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How Long Should I Let the Fruit Soak?

Honestly, the longer the better. I’d say the least amount of time would be 1 to 2 hours. However, for a sangria recipe with maximum flavor, I’d highly recommend soaking your fruit for 8 to 10 hours or overnight!

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All the flavors get nice and cozy together when this Holiday Sangria sits overnight. You can taste all the flavors – the hint of cinnamon, the citrus, and sweetness from the pear. They truly become one! Topping it with the bubbles from ginger ale is the cherry on top!

I can’t wait to see what you guys think of this one. Honestly, it’s my best co*cktail yet! Hope you enjoy! Bon Appetite my friends, or should I say Cheers!

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More Sangria Recipes to Try

  • Peach Sangria
  • Holiday Cranberry Sangria Recipe
  • Peach Moscato Sangria

More Holiday co*cktail Recipes

  • Easy White Christmas Margarita Pitcher Recipe
  • Harvest Apple Bourbon co*cktail in a Pitcher
  • Festive Holiday Pomegranate Gin co*cktail

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Christmas Holiday Sangria

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 8 reviews

  • Author: Krista
  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 2 hours
  • Total Time: 2 hours 5 mins
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Drinks
  • Method: Fridge
  • Cuisine: Spanish
Print Recipe

Description

The Ultimate Holiday Sangria is filled with citrus, pomegranate, pear and cinnamon for one irresistible co*cktail! Find out my secret method to making the BEST sangria.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 2 tablespoons agave nectar
  • 1/4 cup grand marnier
  • 1/4 cup brandy
  • 1 orange, halved and then sliced
  • 1 lime, sliced
  • 1 pear, sliced
  • 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
  • 2 sticks of cinnamon
  • 1 bottle of dry red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon)
  • 3/4 cup ginger ale

Instructions

  1. To a large pitcher add agave nectar, grand marnier, brandy, orange, lime, pear, pomegranate seeds, cinnamon sticks. Stir to combine.
  2. Pour in the entire bottle of red wine.
  3. Cover and place in refrigerator for 1-2 hours. (the longer it sits the better it will taste)
  4. Right before you are about to serve add the ginger ale to the sangria mixture.
  5. Pour over ice or serve chilled.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6 oz
  • Calories: 278
  • Sugar: 22 g
  • Sodium: 13 mg
  • Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 33 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

Filed Under:

  • Christmas
  • co*cktails
  • Drinks
  • Holidays
  • New Years
  • Thanksgiving
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The Ultimate Holiday Sangria | Best Red Sangria Recipe Ever (2024)

FAQs

What wine makes the best sangria? ›

The best wine for sangria is Garnacha (also called Grenache) or Pinot Noir. Garnacha comes from Spain, so it's my top pick for authentic Spanish sangria! Choose an inexpensive wine (under $20) that you would enjoy on its own. Why Garnacha and Pinot Noir?

What is traditional sangria made of? ›

Spanish Sangria Ingredients:

If you ask bartenders here in Spain how to make sangria, they will be the first to tell you that — technically — there is no standard way to make sangria. It's really just a wine punch made with seasonal fruit, sweetener, a good splash of brandy, and possibly something fizzy added in.

What are the basic ingredients for sangria? ›

Image of What are the basic ingredients for sangria?
Red wine is a type of wine made from dark-colored grape varieties. The color of the wine can range from intense violet, typical of young wines, through to brick red for mature wines and brown for older red wines.
Wikipedia

Can you use old red wine for sangria? ›

For the bottles that are only slightly less delicious than they were when first opened, you can give the wine new life in sangria or mulled wine. Using the wine as a vehicle for strong ingredients such as fruit or spices is a great way to still enjoy that bottle.

What is the best Italian wine for sangria? ›

Here are some tips for good wines to use: Jumilla, wines from Alicante and Valencia; Rioja and Priorat wines are also commonly used. In terms of Italian wines, you could go for a non-sparkling Bonarda, a Cannonau di Sardegna, or a red Salice Salentino.

Why was sangria illegal? ›

Sangria, wine mixed with fruit, has always been legal and available. The issue comes about when Sangria is mixed with brandy or other spirits that raises the alcohol content of the drink. Alcohol-boosted Sangria was illegal because of a 1934 law formed post-prohibition to keep the percentage of alcohol low in drinks.

What is the difference between Mexican and Spanish sangria? ›

The name sangria once meant “blood,” which it got because of its dark red color. Mexican sangria is similar to the fruit and wine of Spanish sangria, but it has a higher alcohol content. The high alcohol content makes this drink a great pairing with spicy food, like hot salsa.

What's a good brandy for sangria? ›

"When choosing a brandy, it is best to go toward a Spanish one made with Spanish grapes," said Trujillo. "I find Carlos I Solera Gran Reserva Brandy to be perfect for sangria." This brandy was aged in American oak casks and has notes of vanilla and caramel.

How much alcohol is usually in sangria? ›

EU law says bottles from Spain are limited by law to less than 12% alcohol by volume (ABV). Bottles produced in the U.S. usually have between 5% and 15%. Sangria made with red wine is usually stronger than white wine punches.

What kind of fruits go in sangria? ›

Citrus, pears, cranberries, and pomegranates all make great sangria additions in the winter months. Other favorite seasonal standbys include peaches, blackberries, lime, and cherries. Sangria variations: We love this classic red sangria, but there are countless other riffs on this classic that we can't get enough of.

What type of alcohol is sangria? ›

“Sangria” is Spanish for “blood,” referring to the drink's traditional base of red wine. If you're going classic, look for a Spanish red wine like Rioja or other Tempranillo-based wine. A bold and fruit-forward Spanish Garnacha can also work well. Here are some of our favorite red wines for sangria.

Can you use cheap wine for sangria? ›

As long as the wine is inexpensive, fruity and tastes good on its own, it'll work well in sangria.

How do you pick a wine for sangria? ›

For the freshest-tasting drink, just avoid a wine with lots of oak. If you want a light and zingy sangria and are using garnishes like herbs, cucumbers, lemons or limes, choose a bright, high-acid white, like Vinho Verde from Portugal or dry Riesling from Germany.

Is sangria better with white or red wine? ›

White sangria can be made with various white wines. They make the taste crisper and add fruitier notes. Classic sangria, on the other hand, is made with heavier red wines, which bring richer and bolder flavors to the drink.

What makes sangria wine different? ›

Sangria is a wine punch, also known as an aromatized wine. It combines wine with fruit, fruit juices, and other aromatic ingredients like herbs and spices. Traditionally, the mix of ingredients depended on local custom — each region had a unique recipe, but the classic mix is Spanish red wine with oranges.

What is the best yeast for sangria? ›

Acidity: 2.4; 2.2-2.6 w/w (as citric acid) (AOAC Method 942.15) Recommended Yeast: Lalvin K1V-1116 or Red Star Premier Classique.

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