Eat, drink & be merry with TWO festive winter sangria recipes. Full of seasonal fruit, holiday flavours… and wine of course (don’t forget the wine lol)!
You know I love a glass of tropical sangria in the summer like my Pink Grapefruit White Sangria, but I haven’t found an easy drinking winter version. Until now! Level up your drink this season and make an irresistibly crisp and refreshing winter sangria in red or white. Decisions, decisions.
Winter isn’t all about hot drinks by the way! This recipe is so yummy and full of holiday flavours, we had to make a couple extra batches … Maybe Santa would like a glass with his cookies this year?! I mean, if there was ever a year to switch it up…
Choosing Fruit for Sangria
Sangria is full of yummy fruit (haha no I’m not trying to sell this angle)! This winter sangria is no exception and has fresh fruits like apples, oranges and cranberries. The only note is you’ll want to use sturdy, flavourful fruits that can sit in the pitcher for a long time without breaking down and will soak up the flavours well.
Adjusting Sweetness
To sweeten this recipe I used sugar and fruit juices. You can adjust accordingly depending on your preference or add honey, agave, maple syrup or your favourite simple syrup should you wish instead!
Which Wine is Best for Sangria?
Since you are mixing this with other ingredients, you don’t need to use your best bottle of wine! I opted for an affordable dry red (something that isn’t high in tannins like a Grenache works well), a dry white and a Prosecco I had on hand. For the white, a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris will work fine!
Festive Garnishes
Have fun with it! In the red sangria I used cinnamon sticks and star anise for a holiday kick of flavour that I LOVED. The white got a pop of festive colour with cranberries and fresh rosemary. These drinks don’t just taste delicious, they look great too. If you have a star cookie cutter try cutting out star shapes in apple slices for an added touch.
Don’t be afraid to play around with the fruit and ratio of other ingredients. Add more juice or more booze to your taste (I won’t tell). Serve it in a punch bowl or pitcher, and add heaps of ice to the pitcher or glasses along with your festive garnishes for a bit of wow!
Tip: These pair SO well with some of my favourite holiday appetizers! Try them with recipes like the Pear & Brie Crostini , a bowl of Rosemary Roasted Nuts or the delicious Cranberry Brie Hand Pies!
Red Winter Sangria
Red Winter Sangria
As festive in colour as it is in taste! Enjoy this winter sangria full of seasonal fruit and a punch of holiday flavour.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 cup orange juice
- 3 ounces brandy
- 1 bottle dry red wine
- 1 cup cranberry juice
- 2 apples, sliced or diced
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 cup ice
- star anise optional garnish
Instructions
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Add sugar to pitcher, muddle with half an orange(sliced) with a muddler or wooden spoon.
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Add in orange juice, brandy, wine and cranberry juice. Stir to combine!
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Add in fresh fruit, cinnamon sticks, and ice. Stir and taste! Adjust to desired flavours.
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Garnish cups with a cinnamon stick, star anise, orange slice and more ice.
White Winter Sangria
White Winter Sangria
A bright and fresh bubbly holiday sangria, with seasonal cranberries and apples.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 cup frozen cranberries
- 1 cup white cranberry juice
- 3 ounces brandy
- 1 bottle prosecco
- 1/2 bottle dry white wine
- 2 sliced apples
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 cup ice
- star anise or rosemary for garnish
Instructions
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Add sugar to pitcher, lightly muddle with half the frozen cranberries and white cranberry juice for just a few seconds or until sugar is dissolved. Use a muddler or wooden spoon.
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Add in the brandy and muddle again.
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Add in prosecco and white wine. Stir to combine.
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Add in the apple, cinnamon sticks, the rest of the cranberries and ice. Stir and taste! Adjust to your liking.
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Garnish cups with apple slices and star anise or rosemary!
This sounds just lovely!
Those drinks look amazing !
Thank you Jill!
I recently made the white sangria and it was a total hit!
I only added 1 tablespoon of sugar and it was perfect. Didn’t want it too sweet.
Delicious! Highly recommend.
Hi Alannah! Thanks so much for your review. I am really happy you enjoyed the sangria. Cheers! xo
This looks so good! What a great drink to make for a holiday party!
Thanks for sharing! How far ahead of time can I make it?
Hi Vanessa! Furthest I have done is the morning of! I am sure you could do it even earlier though. xoxo
Hi, The white sangria calls for 3 cinnamon sticks in the ingredients but doesn’t say what to do with them in the instructions. Can you tell us what to do?
Hey Jan! Sorry to leave you hanging! Add in the cinnamon sticks with the apples at the end. It also works as a festive garnish. xx Tori
Excited to make this. So, you can leave the cinnamon sticks in the pitcher, or is it better to use them more as a garnish in the glass? I’m doubling the recipe and don’t want it having too strong of a cinnamon taste.
Hi Lynn! I don’t think it would get too strong leaving it in the pitcher!
What brandy do you use?
Hey Jaimeson! I used St.Remy brandy! Cheers! Tori