Amazing 15-min christmas sangria joy

Hi, I’m Alex, and I’m so glad you’re here! If you’re like me, the holidays bring so much joy, but sometimes the thought of hosting a big group can feel overwhelming. That’s why I live for easy entertaining—those recipes that look incredibly festive but barely require you to step away from the conversation. Forget complicated layered desserts! Today we’re making my absolute favorite crowd-pleaser: a vibrant Christmas Sangria. It’s the perfect, refreshing holiday drink that looks stunning in a pitcher and tastes even better.

Why This Christmas Sangria Recipe Is Your Best Holiday Party Punch

Seriously, if you’re looking for a true Holiday Party Punch that won’t see you stuck mixing single drinks all night, this is it. This recipe screams festive without demanding a ton of effort from you, the host! It’s designed to be made ahead, meaning you can actually enjoy your own party. That’s the secret to happy hosting, right? This Christmas Sangria is vibrant, it’s deeply flavorful thanks to the spices, and it’s the ultimate Easy Christmas Cocktail solution.

Quick Prep for a Big Batch Christmas Drink

What I love most is how fast you can get this going. We’re talking maybe 15 minutes of active prep time, and you’ve got a huge batch ready to chill. Forget fussy garnishes or complicated syrups; this is pure, delicious impact with minimal fuss. It yields about six full servings, but trust me, you’ll want to double it if you have a big crowd coming over this winter.

Flavor Profile of the Perfect Christmas Sangria Recipe

The taste is just perfect for the season—it’s bright and refreshing from the oranges and apples, but it has that deep, warm hug from the cinnamon and a little kick from the brandy. Using a dry red wine keeps it from getting too sweet, so it always tastes like a truly sophisticated Christmas Sangria. It’s the balance that makes this the Best Holiday Cocktail Recipe for a cozy evening!

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Ingredients for Your Festive Red Christmas Sangria

Okay, let’s talk about what goes into this pitcher of holiday magic. Because this is a recipe where the ingredients really get to shine, I always recommend using the best wine you can reasonably afford. Since we aren’t actually cooking this, the fruit needs to do a lot of heavy lifting in terms of flavor!

• 1 (750 ml) bottle dry red wine (I lean toward Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon)
• 1/2 cup brandy – This adds that lovely depth and warmth!
• 1/4 cup orange liqueur (Cointreau or Triple Sec work beautifully here)
• 1/4 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed – You can genuinely taste the difference when you squeeze it yourself!
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 orange, thinly sliced
• 1 apple, cored and thinly sliced – Gala or Fuji apples hold their shape nicely.
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries – Don’t worry if they are frozen; they’ll thaw right in the mix.
• 2 cinnamon sticks – These are essential for that classic holiday smell.
• 1 cup club soda or sparkling water, chilled (this is optional, only for serving!)
• Ice for serving

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Christmas Sangria

Now, I know sometimes we have to work with what we have on hand. If you’re picking out your wine, remember: dry red is the goal. You don’t need a fancy bottle, but avoid anything overly sweet, or your whole christmas sangria will taste syrupy. For the liqueur, Cointreau is my preference, but any decent quality triple sec will do the trick.

If you find yourself short on brandy, you can honestly cut back a bit, though I love the extra warmth it brings to this kind of Spiced Sangria Recipe. If you wanted to try that lighter option we talked about—a White Christmas Sangria—you simply swap this red wine for a crisp Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. It’s gorgeous and bright, too!

How to Prepare the Best Christmas Sangria

Making this Christmas Sangria is really straightforward—it’s all about combining the liquids and letting the fruit get cozy in the fridge! First thing’s first: grab that big pitcher. Pour in your red wine, the brandy, the orange liqueur, the fresh orange juice, and sprinkle in that sugar. You need to stir this well until you can’t feel any gritty sugar at the bottom anymore. That’s step one done!

Next, toss in all your beautiful fruit: the sliced orange, the apple pieces, the bright red cranberries, and those lovely cinnamon sticks. Give everything a gentle swirl. Now, here is where we transition from mixing to magic. Cover the whole pitcher up tight and move it to the refrigerator. This is non-negotiable if you want the Best Christmas Sangria!

Infusing Flavors: The Key to Great Christmas Sangria Recipe

You absolutely have to let this chill for at least four hours, but honestly, overnight is when it becomes spectacular. Think about it—the wine is marrying the brandy, and the juices and spices are slowly soaking into every piece of fruit. This infusion process is what takes your drink from just ‘wine with fruit’ to a truly complex, spiced flavor profile that guests will keep asking about. When you chill it long enough, those flavors settle deep into the wine. It’s worth the wait, trust me!

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Right before serving, give it one last taste to see if you need a tiny bit more sugar—sometimes the fruit acidity changes things. Then, you’re going to ladle it over ice. If you want that extra celebratory lift, top the glass with a splash of chilled club soda. Done! You have a stunning Festive Holiday Drink ready to go.

Tips for Success with Your Spiced Sangria Recipe

Even though this is an easy recipe, sometimes the difference between a good sangria and a great one comes down to a few little tricks I’ve picked up over the years hosting parties. Since this is a gorgeous Spiced Sangria Recipe, we want those spices to really sing without overwhelming the fruit!

First off, about that sugar: Don’t dump it all in at the beginning! You might think you need a quarter cup, but depending on how sweet your fruit is that day, you might not. My personal rule for any punch like this is to always mix it slightly under-sweetened and then taste it right before serving. If it needs a little lift, stir in a teaspoon of sugar at a time until it’s perfect for your palate. This way, you’re in complete control, which makes for better Easy Holiday Entertaining.

Here’s my serving tip: If you decide to use that optional bubbly topping—the club soda or sparkling water—only add it right when you are ready to serve, glass by glass! If you pour the entire cup into the pitcher, you’ll lose all the lovely fizz while it sits waiting for guests. I always keep the soda chilled right next to the pitcher and offer it on the side so people can top their own glass to their liking.

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Finally, a note on presentation: While we have lovely apples and oranges in there, think about adding one more visual element to really elevate this drink. A sprig of fresh rosemary tucked into the glass adds the most wonderful festive look and a gorgeous, subtle pine aroma that complements the cinnamon perfectly. It makes it feel like such a special, upscale Festive Entertaining Drinks moment without adding any work to the recipe itself!

Make-Ahead Christmas Drinks: Storing Your Christmas Sangria

This is the part of the recipe I absolutely live for, honestly. If you’re anything like me, you want to get as much done *before* the party starts as possible so you can greet your friends at the door and actually relax. The great news is that this Christmas Sangria is specifically designed to be one of those wonderful Make Ahead Christmas Drinks!

You can mix up this entire batch—wine, brandy, fruit, spices, everything—up to a full 24 hours ahead of time. I mean it: the longer it sits in the fridge, the more those flavors of orange and spice really sink into the wine. It genuinely tastes better the next day!

Just make sure you use a pitcher that has a nice tight-fitting lid, or you can completely cover your existing pitcher with plastic wrap, pressing it right down onto the surface of the liquid to keep everything fresh. When you store it, just keep that chilled fruit and wine mixture in the refrigerator. The only thing you absolutely must leave out until the last second is the club soda or sparkling water. That bubbly stuff loses its happy little fizz if it sits around, so wait until you’re ready to serve or garnish those individual glasses to add that top-off splash. That way, your incredible christmas sangria is as festive and refreshing as possible when everyone arrives!

Serving Suggestions for This Festive Holiday Drink

Presentation is everything during the holidays! I always tell people that hosting is about making your guests feel special without making yourself stressed out. Serving this gorgeous Festive Holiday Drink is where you can really shine with minimal effort. My first piece of advice is to stop using those big, clunky water glasses. Instead, break out your stemless wine glasses or even cute, small tumblers.

The deep red color of the sangria looks absolutely phenomenal against clear glass, letting all those bright cranberries and orange slices pop. Seriously, it makes the whole drink look like holiday stained glass sitting on the table! Remember, you’re serving this cold, so make sure you have plenty of ice on hand. I always fill the serving glasses about halfway with ice before pouring the sangria over it. This keeps the drink perfectly chilled without watering down the flavor too quickly.

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Now, for the garnish secret that always gets rave reviews: rosemary! While we already have cinnamon sticks infusing the wine, adding just one small, fresh sprig of rosemary into each glass transforms the centerpiece. It gives off this incredible, subtle pine scent as you sip, which just screams winter gathering. You can even use a ribbon to tie the rosemary sprig onto the rim of the glass. It’s those small details that make this simple cooler feel like a truly elegant affair. If you want to share your beautiful setup, you can always tag me over on Facebook at my page!

Variations: Try a White Christmas Sangria or Prosecco Christmas Sangria

Part of the joy of making a pitcher drink like this is knowing you can tweak it slightly based on what you’re serving with dinner or what kind of mood you’re in! While this rich red christmas sangria is my go-to, we absolutely have to talk about the lighter versions. If you’re having a brighter meal or maybe serving it earlier in the day, you should totally try swapping things up.

The most popular switch is definitely going for a White Christmas Sangria. It’s so simple to convert! Just replace the entire bottle of dry red wine with a bottle of dry, crisp white wine. Pinot Grigio works like a dream because it lets the fruit flavor really come forward, or you could use a Sauvignon Blanc for a bit more zing. Then, you’ll use the same amounts of brandy, liqueur, juice, and all the fruit—though I’d suggest swapping the cinnamon sticks for maybe a few strips of lemon peel or a sprig of rosemary for that lighter feel.

Another fantastic elevation, especially if you’re moving from dinner into dessert time, is adding some bubbly! If you want to turn this into a proper sparkling seasonal wine punch, you can integrate Prosecco. For that version, I usually pull back the amount of club soda (since Prosecco is a bit stronger than soda) and reserve about a half cup of the brandy. You mix the primary Christmas Sangria base, chill it overnight, and then right before you serve it, you pour the Prosecco directly into the pitcher. Wow! It immediately becomes this incredibly festive, bubbly treat that everyone loves. It’s the perfect way to refresh your classic recipe!

Frequently Asked Questions About Making Christmas Sangria

Even when a recipe is easy, I always get a few questions before I make something for a big crowd. Hosting should be fun, not stressful, so let’s clear up any last-minute concerns you might have about your Festive Entertaining Drinks!

Can I use sweet wine for this recipe?

That’s a great question! The recipe calls for dry red wine—Merlot or Cabernet—because we are already adding sugar and liqueur, plus the fruit is naturally sweet. If you use a sweet wine, like a sweet Merlot or Zinfandel, the final result can become way too sugary, and it loses that refreshing quality we’re looking for in a Refreshing Holiday Sip. If you only have a slightly sweet wine, I recommend reducing the added granulated sugar by half and tasting before serving.

How long does the fruit last once it’s sitting in the sangria?

This is where the make-ahead magic comes in handy! The fruit is actually designed to sit in the liquid for quite a while. It tastes fantastic after 4 hours, but you can definitely let it chill up to 24 hours. After that 24-hour mark, the fruit starts to get a little too soft or mushy, and it might begin to break down too much in the wine. For the absolute best texture, plan to serve it within a day of mixing it up!

Is the brandy absolutely essential for a good holiday party punch?

No, the brandy isn’t technically *essential*, but it definitely elevates this from a simple wine punch to a truly special Holiday Party Punch. It adds a little warmth and complexity that really stands up to the spices like cinnamon. If you want to skip it, just make sure you increase the orange liqueur by just a splash, or use a slightly bolder red wine to compensate for that missing punch. It will still be great, just a little less intense!

Can I make this a non-alcoholic Christmas Sangria?

Yes, absolutely! This is important, especially if you have guests who aren’t drinking alcohol. You can easily transform this into a fantastic mocktail. Instead of the wine and brandy, use a combination of high-quality grape juice—I prefer dark Concord juice for that deep red color—mixed with sparkling white grape juice or cider for the bubbles. You keep all the spices, fruit, and orange juice, and it tastes wonderful and festive! It’s such an easy way to include everyone in the fun of a Big Batch Christmas Drink.

What’s the best way to store leftovers?

If you happen to have any left over (which I doubt, because this is such a Crowd Pleaser Holiday Beverage!), store the remaining liquid and fruit mixture in a sealed container in the fridge. Make sure you leave out any ice or club soda you added for serving. While the flavor is still good the next day, the fruit will be much softer, so I’d highly recommend using any leftovers within 1 to 2 days max.

Nutritional Estimates for This Refreshing Holiday Sip

I always try to be up front about what we’re putting into our bodies, even when it’s a fun holiday drink! Please remember these numbers are just estimates for one serving (one glass) and can really change based on what wine you pick and how much sugar you decide to add at the end. We aren’t aiming for a health food here, but it’s good to know.

• Serving Size: 1 glass
• Calories: About 250
• Sugar: Around 18 grams
• Sodium: Very low, about 10 mg
• Fat: 0 grams
• Carbohydrates: Roughly 22 grams

Because of the wine and liqueurs, the sugar content depends heavily on your starting wine and how much simple sweetening you do. For full transparency on how I calculate these kinds of estimates, you can check out my disclosure policy. Cheers, and enjoy this lovely Refreshing Holiday Sip!

Nutritional Estimates for This Refreshing Holiday Sip

I always try to be up front about what we’re putting into our bodies, even when it’s a fun holiday drink! Please remember these numbers are just estimates for one serving (one glass) and can really change based on what wine you pick and how much sugar you decide to add at the end. We aren’t aiming for a health food here, but it’s good to know.

• Serving Size: 1 glass
• Calories: About 250
• Sugar: Around 18 grams
• Sodium: Very low, about 10 mg
• Fat: 0 grams
• Carbohydrates: Roughly 22 grams

Because of the wine and liqueurs, the sugar content depends heavily on your starting wine and how much simple sweetening you do. For full transparency on how I calculate these kinds of estimates, you can check out my disclosure policy. Cheers, and enjoy this lovely Refreshing Holiday Sip!

Festive Red Christmas Sangria with Cranberry, Orange, and Cinnamon

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Make this easy Christmas Sangria recipe for your holiday party. This big batch Christmas drink uses red wine, seasonal fruit, and warming spices for a refreshing holiday sip.

• Author: purejoyalex
• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 0 min
• Total Time: 4 hr 15 min
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Cocktail
• Method: Maceration
• Cuisine: Spanish Inspired
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 (750 ml) bottle dry red wine (like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon)
• 1/2 cup brandy
• 1/4 cup orange liqueur (like Cointreau or Triple Sec)
• 1/4 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 orange, thinly sliced
• 1 apple, cored and thinly sliced
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 cup club soda or sparkling water, chilled (optional, for topping)
• Ice for serving

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Instructions

1. In a large pitcher, combine the red wine, brandy, orange liqueur, orange juice, and sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely.
2. Add the sliced orange, sliced apple, cranberries, and cinnamon sticks to the pitcher. Gently stir to combine the fruit and spices with the liquid.
3. Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. This chilling time allows the fruit flavors to infuse the wine, making it the best Christmas sangria.
4. When ready to serve, taste the sangria. If you prefer it slightly sweeter, add a little more sugar and stir.
5. Pour the sangria into glasses filled with ice. If desired, top each glass with a splash of chilled club soda for extra fizz.
6. Garnish each glass with an extra orange slice or a few cranberries. Serve this crowd pleaser holiday beverage immediately.

Notes

• For a lighter, less boozy option, reduce the brandy to 1/4 cup or omit it entirely.
• If you want to make a White Christmas Sangria variation, substitute the red wine with a dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc.
• You can prepare this entire recipe, excluding the club soda, up to 24 hours in advance. This make ahead Christmas drink tastes better the longer it sits.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 glass
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 18
• Sodium: 10
• Fat: 0
• Saturated Fat: 0
• Unsaturated Fat: 0
• Trans Fat: 0
• Carbohydrates: 22
• Fiber: 2
• Protein: 0
• Cholesterol: 0