Let’s get merry with some festive sangria because the holidays are here! With all the celebrations happening, you obviously need a fun cocktail in your life, and this cranberry-apple cider holiday sangria is the perfect seasonal sipper.
I can’t put into words how much I love the holidays. Just looking at the pretty lights and decorations makes me smile, and those cheery, catchy Christmas carols always put me in a good mood. I get to spend quality time with my favorite people, and humanity is at its best. Maybe this sounds a little lame, but what isn’t magical about it all?
Step-by-Step Instructions
Not only is this cranberry-apple cider holiday sangria delicious but it’s also ridiculously easy to make. So let’s get to it.
Grab a pitcher and pour in a bottle of pinot noir. I’m partial to pinot noir for red sangria. Pinot noir a light-bodied, fruit-forward wine with low tannins, so it’s perfect for red sangria recipes.
Now we stir in cranberry juice, apple cider, brandy and triple sec. Drop in some sliced apples, an orange and a couple cinnamon sticks and let the mixture sit in the refrigerator overnight.
If you’re like me and lack patience, giving the sangria time to sit in the refrigerator may sound obnoxious, but this step infuses the sangria with those delicious, sweet fruit flavors and a touch of spice from the cinnamon. Please don’t skip this step. The sangria won’t be the same without a chance to infuse.
Right before serving, we pour in some ginger ale, which gives this holiday sangria the perfect level of sweetness and a little lift from the carbonation. Often I add a little simple syrup to my sangria, but it was sweet enough without it. If you’re feeling extra fancy, I recommend serving this holiday sangria with a cinnamon-sugar rim.
Perfect Pairing
To kick off the holiday season, I served this sangria on Thanksgiving as an appertif, and it was such a fun way to start the celebration. With that in mind, this holiday sangria is great with a baked Brie. You could wrap the Brie in puff pastry or bake it as is — your call.
Brie is one of those cheeses that can work with sweet or savory flavors, so it’s perfect with this fruity, slightly spiced sangria. You’ll also find the carbonation from the ginger ale and the acidity from the pinot noir help cut through the Brie’s creamy body.
With the holiday season here in full force, I hope you get a little festive and try this cranberry-apple cider holiday sangria. This delicious sipper will have you feeling those fun holiday vibes in no time.
Cheers!
Love Your Holiday Drinks?
- Gingered bourbon-apple cider cocktail
- Sparkling cranberry-ginger margarita
- Sage-fig cocktail
- Sparkling pomegranate martini
- Gingerbread latte
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📖 Recipe
Cranberry-Apple Cider Holiday Sangria
Equipment
- Large pitcher
Ingredients
- 1 bottle pinot noir
- 1 cup cranberry juice
- 1 cup apple cider homemade or store-bought
- ½ cup brandy
- ½ cup triple sec
- 2 apples cored and sliced
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 orange sliced
- 1 (12-)ounce can or bottle ginger ale
- Ground cinnamon optional, for garnish
- Sugar optional, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pitcher, pour in a bottle of pinot noir. Stir in cranberry juice, apple cider, brandy and triple sec. Add the apples, cinnamon sticks and orange slices.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- If garnishing, mix some cinnamon and sugar together on a plate. Moisten the rim of the glass and place the rim in the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat.
- Right before serving, top with ginger ale and gently stir. Enjoy!
Notes
- With the apple cider and ginger ale, it should be sweet enough that you won't need an additional sweetener. That said, if you try the sangria and prefer more sweetness, try adding a tablespoon of maple syrup or simple syrup at a time to the pitcher until it's to your liking. I honestly don't think you'll need to add any sweetner but throwing that out there in case.
- Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Stephanie Simmons says
This looks like the most perfect holiday drink - and easy too! Gorgeous photos - makes me want to reach into the screen and take a sip! (or two!)
Renu says
I absolutely loved this and it was so festive with the cinnamon and ginger ale in this sangria. This will have to be a Christmas tradition for us.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thank you so much, Renu!
Chef Mireille says
I love all the seasonal flavors you used in this sangria. I think that glass with a slice of cheesecake is a perfect way to end this year's holiday meal!
April says
Yes they are! The holidays are here so it is just about time for a good old sangria! Loving this recipe so saving it for later - thanks a lot!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
It really is a good time of year for fun cocktails. ?
Jacqueline Debono says
I haven't had sangria for ages but I love it. This recipe is a perfect combination of seasonal flavours. Going to pin for my Christmas party!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
That’s great to hear! I hope it’s a hit.
Mirlene says
I've always wanted to try cranberry sangria. I never could find a recipe I truly like. This one sounds perfect. I will be trying this for the upcoming holiday. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thanks! I really think the cinnamon sticks add a nice kick from your typical cranberry sangria. Hope this recipe works well for you!
Karyl Henry says
I'm not normally a big sangria person, but I loved the holiday flavors in this one! The cinnamon for a garnish made it really pretty too.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
The holiday flavors definitely make it a bit more fun!
Cheese Curd In Paradise says
What a beautiful combination of flavors! I am loving the apple cider and cranberry combo- I bet it is fantastic. I can't wait to make some!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thanks! It really is. Hope it becomes a new favorite!
Stine Mari says
This one is calling my name! I made a cranberry sangria once, and it was fabulous. And it really did need time to infuse. I remember I was a little disappointed, but a few days later I was like: YASS. And this one looks mouthwateringly good. I am totally saving this for later.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
For sure! The infusion makes all the difference. Hope you love it!
Kelly Anthony says
Absolutely stunning! I don't think there is anything better than a spiced sangria for the holidays. Perfect for a crowd for any upcoming holiday party.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thank you! I'm right there with you.
Krista Price says
This is one of the best sangria recipes I've ever come across. It's perfect for the holidays! Love that you added apple cider. Genius!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thanks so much!
Gloria says
This sounds like a delicious holiday drink. Perfect to make a huge batch for the parties that are just around the corner. The flavours sound amazing. I always have cranberries in the freezer. What a great place to use them.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Definitely! I always love making sangria for parties because of that very reason.
Bev says
You are so right! This is a great appetizer itself! Cranberries are my favourite fruit so I am so happy to find another recipe that I can use them with. I hate that they have such a short season!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Right? I'm thinking about grabbing some extra bags to throw in the freezer to keep the cranberry flavor alive beyond the season.