Christmas Cranberry Sangria
Sangria = Instant party, right? This Christmassy Cranberry Sangria is a great festive drink to make and serve at any festive gathering. I love making large pitchers for people to serve themselves and it will make a beautiful addition to any bar at your holiday parties.
Don’t you just love Sangria? I remember my mom loving Sangria when I was younger and how I thought it was just the coolest drink. Fruit IN your wine? Revolutionary!
Then I grew up and started drinking it myself. But you guys, there exists a thing like bad Sangria and I’m not on board for that. Sangria might sound like any old punch to some people but I take it seriously. There needs to be a balance of flavours and I am always careful to venture into the too-sweet side of things. I like a good bit of acidic/dry bite in my Sangria’s and of course, LOTS of fizz.
This Christmas Cranberry Sangria recipe is all of that. The cranberries lend just the right amount of sweet tang to the sangria without making it cloyingly sweet. The Prosecco and soda water (club soda) add all the right amount of dry fizz that I so love and orange, rosemary and star anise bring Christmas to the party.
It’s SUCH a great recipe for the holiday season but be warned, it’s hard to pace yourself with this stuff!
Ingredients
- Cranberries. Frozen/fresh. Cranberry juice can be used as substitute.
- Sugar.
- Water.
- Fresh oranges. Sliced apples are also a good addition.
- Star anise. Cinnamon sticks will also be delicious.
- Rosemary
- Prosecco. You can absolutely make this recipe non-alcoholic. Simply use orange juice or apple juice instead of the Prosecco.
- Soda water/Club soda.
How do you make Cranberry Sangria?
- Make the simple syrup: Combine cranberries, sugar, water and spices in a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Cook for 10 minutes until bright red and fragrant. Strain and allow to cool.
- Make the sangria: Stir together the cooled cranberry syrup, chilled prosecco, club soda (soda water), rosemary and orange slices in a big jug with ice. Serve immediately.
What type of alcohol is in sangria?
You can really add any type of wine or liquor to sangria but the following work best in my opinion:
- Red wine. Something light and fruity works best for example Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Prosecco.
- Moscato.
- White wine. Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc are my favorites
- Vodka.
- Rum.
- Brandy.
- Grand Marnier. Or other orange liqueur.
Can I make this ahead?
The cranberry syrup can be made up to a week in advance and kept in the fridge. The sangria can be made up to an hour in advance but only add the ice and soda water just before serving.
Christmas cocktails
Christmas Cranberry Sangria
Ingredients
Cranberry syrup
- 3 cups frozen/fresh cranberries
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 pieces orange peel
- 1 sprig rosemary
- 2 star anise
Christmas Cranberry Sangria
- Cranberry syrup
- 1 bottle Prosecco
- 2-3 cups soda water/club soda
- fresh rosemary
- orange slices
Instructions
Cranberry syrup
- To make the syrup, combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes until the cranberries are soft and the mixture has reduced slightly.
- Remove from the heat and strain through a sieve, pushing down on the cranberries with the back of a spoon to get out all the juice. Allow the syrup to cool completely.
Christmas Cranberry Sangria
- Fill a large jug with ice and pour over the cranberry syrup.
- Add the orange slices and rosemary then top with the Prosecco and soda water and serve.
If I were to double (or even triple) this recipe would the cranberry syrup be doubled (tripled) as well? I don’t want to to be too sweet and 3 cups or sugar in the syrup sounds like a lot of sweet. Thanks
You could add the syrup to taste until you’re happy with the end result.
Could you use dried cranberries to make the cranberry syrup
No, unfortunately it won’t have the same effect as fresh or frozen cranberries.
Made it, loved it, definitely making it again over the weekend. Perfect festive cocktail.
So glad to hear that Gabi! 🙂
Hi Alida, I love this recipe. For the winter, I think I will heat the sangria after making, what do you think?
I’m sure it will be delicious!
Hi, Alida.
First of all, I want to greet you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Your Christmas Cranberry Sangria looks so elegant and classy. Wow! How I wish I had seen this post before Christmas. Continue making great recipes, Alida!
Thanks so much Joseph! Have a happy 2018!
So pretty and sparkling, this is holiday perfect!
Thanks Laura!
This sangria has my name written all over it! Looks delicious. Cheers to a wonderful holiday Alida!
Cheers!