Holiday sangria is the perfect festive cocktail to welcome guests with a splash of color and flavor. This vibrant drink blends dry red wine with apple cider, Cointreau, fresh fruit, and warm spices to create a seasonal sangria that’s both beautiful and refreshing. With minimal prep and maximum wow factor, it’s ideal for Christmas parties, Thanksgiving dinners, or any winter gathering.

Whether you’re serving four or making a pitcher for a crowd, this chilled sangria is a no-fuss, make-ahead winner.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

🍷 Perfect for parties: Make it in advance and serve in big batches
🍊 Seasonal ingredients: Cranberries, cider, cinnamon—classic holiday flavors
❄️ Cold & refreshing: A chilled alternative to hot toddies and mulled wine
🌿 Beautiful garnish options: Rosemary sprigs, sugar rims, and citrus slices
🧡 Customizable: Use your favorite red wine, or adjust sweetness and spice to taste

Ingredients

1 small Honeycrisp apple, thinly sliced
¾ cup fresh cranberries
2 cinnamon sticks
2 star anise pods (optional)
1 bottle dry red wine (such as Pinot Noir, Merlot, or a red blend)
1 cup apple cider (non-alcoholic)
½ cup Cointreau (or triple sec/orange liqueur)
1 small orange, thinly sliced

For Serving

Ground cinnamon + turbinado sugar (for rimming glasses)
Ice cubes
Fresh rosemary sprigs (for garnish)

Instructions

Build the base: Add sliced apple, cranberries, cinnamon sticks, and star anise to a large pitcher.
Pour in liquids: Add the wine, apple cider, and Cointreau. Stir gently to combine.
Add orange slices: Tuck the orange slices into the mixture.
Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for best flavor.
Serve: Rim glasses with cinnamon sugar. Fill with ice, pour sangria, and garnish with rosemary.

Recipe Details

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 4+ hours
Servings: 4–6

Nutrition Facts (Estimated per serving)

Calories: 180 kcal
Carbs: 18g
Sugar: 12g
Alcohol: ~13% ABV (varies by wine used)

Note: Nutrition may vary with wine choice and portion size.

Tips & Variations

Dry or sweet wine? Choose a dry red (like Cabernet or Pinot) to balance the cider and liqueur sweetness.
No star anise? Totally optional! It adds a subtle holiday spice but the sangria still tastes amazing without it.
Make it ahead: This sangria improves with time. Mix it the day before your event.
Want a mocktail version? Replace wine with unsweetened pomegranate juice and skip the Cointreau.

Holiday Sangria

A festive blend of red wine, apple cider, citrus, and holiday spices—this holiday sangria is a showstopping batch cocktail for seasonal celebrations.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Total Time 4 10

Course Cocktails

Cuisine Spanish-Inspired

Servings 4

Calories 180 kcal

Equipment

– Large pitcher
– Sharp knife
– Wine glasses

Ingredients

– 1 small Honeycrisp apple thinly sliced
– ¾ cup fresh cranberries
– 2 cinnamon sticks
– 2 star anise pods optional
– 1 bottle dry red wine e.g. Pinot Noir, Merlot
– 1 cup apple cider non-alcoholic
– ½ cup Cointreau or orange liqueur
– 1 small orange thinly sliced
**For Serving**
– Ground cinnamon + turbinado sugar
– Ice
– Rosemary sprigs

Instructions

Add apple slices, cranberries, cinnamon, and star anise to a large pitcher.
Pour in wine, cider, and Cointreau. Stir gently.
Add orange slices.
Cover and refrigerate for 4+ hours (or overnight).
Rim glasses with cinnamon sugar, add ice, pour sangria, and garnish with rosemary.

Notes

– For less sweetness, use a dry red wine
– Chill overnight for best flavor
– Star anise is optional but adds great depth

Keyword Holiday Sangria

FAQs

Can I double the recipe for a party?
Yes—scale everything up and use a punch bowl or large drink dispenser.

How long does sangria last?
Best consumed within 24–48 hours. After that, the fruit may soften too much.

What if I don’t have Cointreau?
Use any orange liqueur—triple sec, Grand Marnier, or even orange juice in a pinch.

Can I use white wine?
Yes! Swap in a dry white wine for a lighter version—try Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.

Conclusion

This holiday sangria recipe is a must-have for festive entertaining. It’s colorful, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make. With notes of orange, apple, and warming spices, it brings cozy holiday vibes in every chilled sip. Whether you’re toasting around the table or welcoming guests at the door, this drink is guaranteed to impress.