Sangria = Instant party, right? This Christmassy Cranberry Sangria is a great festive drink to make and serve 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 holiday parties but be warned, it’s hard to pace yourself with this stuff!
How do you make Cranberry Sangria?
Make cranberry syrup by simmering cranberries, sugar, water and spices until bright red and fragrant. Strain and allow to cool before combining with chilled prosecco, club soda (soda water), rosemary and orange slices.
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)
- Prosecco
- Moscato
- White wine (Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc are my favorites)
- Vodka
- Rum
- Grand Marnier
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.
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!