This festive Christmas Sangria is perfect to celebrate the holidays that is the perfect balance of sweet and fruity flavors. Warm flavors of cinnamon and rosemary pair with apple cider, cranberry juice, red wine and brandy. Your guests will love this beautiful drink! 

CHRISTMAS SANGRIA 

For some reason I started getting into the Christmas spirit earlier than normal this year.

Right after Halloween, I was one of those people who had holiday decorating on my mind.

A group of my friends got together right around this time and I knew I had to make a fun Christmas Sangria to bring. 

It was the perfect drink to get everyone in the holiday spirit and is very easy to make this holiday season.

This recipe uses red wine like pinot noir or cabernet sauvignon paired with brandy and then uses cranberry juice, apple cider and honey.

I especially love the cinnamon sticks and rosemary that add that extra festive flair. I also like adding seasonal fruits to take the sangria to the next level. 

This Christmas Sangria would be the perfect addition to your holiday meal alongside this Apple Cider Ham, Sweet Potato Casserole and Lemon Arugula Salad. 

This sangria also adds so much beautiful color to the table. I love adding the cinnamon sticks and rosemary sprig for an extra festive feel. 

If you like fun cocktails you should also try my Grapefruit Paloma, Vodka Cherry Limeade, Cherry Aperol Spritz and this White Sangria Recipe. 

When I host family and friends on christmas day or the holidays I always notice that people enjoy a festive drink that they can sip on and this red wine sangria never disappoints. 

You can never go wrong with fruit sangria for Christmas.

I also love this easy holiday sangria recipe at holiday parties.

One thing I love about this drink is that you can make it ahead of time and have it ready the next day for your guests. 

I also have a nice fall sangria recipe for Sparkling Apple Pear Sangria that I like to serve for Halloween along with The Best Red Sangria Recipe that I often serve in the summer at backyard get togethers. 

Set up a table of your favorite holiday appetizers, like these Cucumber Hummus Bites, Warm Brie Cranberry Naan, Honey Goat Cheese Balls and these Ham Cheese and Cranberry Rollups. 

WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE IN THIS CHRISTMAS SANGRIA RECIPE

BRANDY: Brandy is a staple ingredient that I like to put in my red sangria.

It works nicely and adds a warm flavor to the sangria. You can use any type of brandy you have. 

RED WINE: When it comes to a red wine to use in this sangria you don’t have to use your best bottle but use a more middle of the road bottle.

I like the dry red wine with the spicy, warm notes to them. I think it adds a nice flavor to a cold weather sangria. I especially love Garnacha (also called Grenache), cabernet sauvignon or Pinot Noir.

JUICE: This recipe uses apple cider or apple juice and cranberry juice which adds a nice sweetness. You can skip one of those or even add something like orange juice or pomegranate juice if you prefer.  If you want to add a touch of bubbly to the sangria add a small amount of ginger ale, club soda or sparkling water. 

HONEY: The honey helps to sweeten the sangria. You can use as much or as little as you want! 

GARNISHES: I think that Christmas Sangria looks extra festive when you use sprig of fresh rosemary, cinnamon and a handful of cranberries. I also like adding things like fresh fruit including blood oranges, pomegranate seeds, orange slices, pears, green apples, red apples or yellow apples.

HOW TO MAKE SANGRIA?

I first had sangria when I studied aboard in Barcelona, Spain in college and fell in love.

When I returned home I knew I had to recreate it on my own.

Here are the main parts that I feel are important to putting together a good sangria at home:

WINE: When you choose your wine you will want to decide if you are doing a white or red sangria. For a white sangria use something like a pinot grigio, sauvignon blanc or dry riesling.

If you want a bubbly white sangria use prosecco. For red sangria the best red wines to use are syrah, Spanish reds like Garnacha (also called Grenache), Pinot Noir or a cabernet sauvignon. 

LIQUOR: I like to use brandy in red sangria. For a white sangria try using white rum or apple brandy for a fall sangria. 

JUICE: I enjoy the sweetness that juice adds to sangria. For the cold weather sangria recipes I like to use cranberry juice, orange juice and apple cider.

For white sangria recipes I actually don’t use juice and stick to adding a bunch of chopped fruit. 

GARNISHES: Sangria is a fun way to add color to your gatherings and table. I like to add garnishes depending on what type of sangria it is.

In the cold months I love apples, pears, cranberries, oranges, lemons and fresh cranberries. White sangria is nice with berries, apples, lemons, limes and peaches. 

WHAT RECIPES SHOULD I PAIR WITH CHRISTMAS SANGRIA?

I love pairing this warm sangria with cozy, comforting winter recipes.

Here are a few favorites:

Roasted Chicken Dinner: Who doesn’t love a good roasted chicken meal? Jess’s recipe looks flavorful and the perfect pairing for a glass of sangria. 

Braised Short Ribs: There is something about short ribs that will make your mouth water. Try The Pioneer Woman’s recipe and pair it with a big glass of sangria. 

Slow Cooker Pot Roast: Melt in your mouth, tender pot roast is perfect in winter. You will love this meal paired with a warm, spiced glass of sangria. 

Coq au Vin: This Coq au Vin Recipe has rich, earthy, aromatic flavors. Bone-in chicken slow simmers together with carrots, onions, mushrooms, bacon, red wineand fresh herbs to create the perfect comforting meal. This french chicken stew is a recipe you will make your family time and time again!