The Best Holiday Sangria
Crisp pinot grigio pairs so deliciously with seasonal fruit, cider, and pear liqueur, making this the best Holiday Sangria! So easy, refreshing, and a real crowd-pleaser, this cocktail is terrific at brunch, lunch, or dinner!
Red apples, pears, cranberries, and cinnamon transform this sangria into a sippable cocktail that’ll have guests asking for the recipe. This Holiday Sangria is refreshing, easy to make (and you can make it ahead of time), and it’s so pretty! Served in a wine glass, everyone comments on this amazing sangria!
What is sangria?
Originally from Spain, sangria is now enjoyed all over the world. It is a wine-based cocktail made with fruit, juice, liqueurs, and more. There are 2 main types of sangrias: red and white. Red sangrias are made with red wine as the base, and white sangria, like this white sangria recipe, is made with white wine as the base.
Why I love this Holiday Sangria
- It’s so pretty! The bits of floating fruit and rosemary sprigs as a garnish make this the perfect festive holiday cocktail!
- This Holiday Sangria recipe tastes best when made ahead, so you can spend time with your guests instead of making drinks.
- It’s not too sweet – the flavors are well-balanced, so it is refreshing and delicious. Perfectly sippable!
- It’s excellent at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Halloween brunches and other holiday-related events, parties, brunches, and gatherings.
Gather these ingredients
- Cinnamon sticks – They’ll infuse your sangria with the perfect cinnamon flavor.
- Apples – Red apples, cored and chopped finely.
- Pears – Ripe green pears, cored and chopped finely.
- Orange – Peeled and chopped. Look for seedless oranges.
- Fresh cranberries – Optional but so gorgeous in this sangria!
- Bottle of pinot grigio – It doesn’t have to be the most expensive bottle.
- Apple cider
- Ginger ale
- Pear liqueur
- Ice
- Fresh rosemary – Spears for garnishing glasses.
You’ll also need
- A large pitcher – To mix and pour the sangria. You want one that is close to 80 ounces.
- Wine glasses – To serve your holiday sangria.
How to make the best Holiday Sangria recipe
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- Core and chop the apples and pear, and peel and chop the orange.
- Add the cinnamon sticks, chopped fruit, wine, apple cider, ginger ale, and pear liqueur to a large pitcher. Stir.
- Refrigerate the sangria for at least 30 minutes before serving, but the flavors are better if you chill it for a few hours or overnight.
- Add ice to the glasses, pour in the sangria (and any chunks of fruit that pour out with it) and garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary.
Enjoy!
Tips & substitutions
- Pinot grigio is my favorite wine for this sangria, but sauvignon blanc or chardonnay will also be delicious.
- Pear liqueur can be found in most larger liquor stores, or look for pear brandy – it’s a great substitute.
- The best part about this white sangria recipe is the wine-soaked fruit bits! Encourage your guests to eat them – but they may want to dodge the cranberries.
- Use a good brand of apple cider – not apple juice. Cider has a greater depth of flavor that pairs perfectly with the ingredients in this festive sangria recipe.
Serving suggestions
I love putting a pitcher of the best Holiday Sangria out for guests to help themselves, and I’ll put ice into a nearby ice bucket and have rosemary sprigs for garnishing. This is the perfect pre-mixed cocktail for parties of all kinds! Sangria is a great brunch cocktail, and I’ll serve it with tasty brunch fare like my often-requested Scrambled Eggs Brunch Board, a holiday brunch board loaded with fresh bagels and all sorts of spreads, or even just a selection of muffins. Oh, and have you tried Sparkling Sangria Cookies?
Storage
Leftover sangria can be stored in the fridge but try to drink it within a day or 2 because the fruit will start to break down. If you need to store it longer, scoop out the fruit and add fresh fruit before consuming the leftovers.
Check out these awesome cocktail recipes while you’re here
Get the Recipe:
Best Holiday Sangria
Ingredients
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 2 apples, chopped (red)
- 2 pears, chopped (green)
- 1 orange, peeled and chopped
- ½ cup fresh cranberries, optional
- 1 bottle of pinot grigio, or 750ml of Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay
- 3 cups apple cider
- 1 cup Ginger ale
- 1 cup Pear liqueur, or Pear brandy
- Ice
- Fresh rosemary
Instructions
- In a large pitcher, place the cinnamon sticks and chopped fruits. Next, pour in the wine, apple cider, Ginger ale, and pear liqueur. Stir and taste.
- Sangria should be refrigerated for at least 30 minutes before serving, but is better if refrigerated for several hours or overnight.
- Add ice to cups, pour in the sangria, and garnish with a fresh sprig of rosemary!
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
This looks absolutely delicious. Is there a way to make this a mock tail for a baby shower brunch?
Well, since this recipe is all about the wine, you could leave it out, but it would be more like a spritzer punch! Give it a try and come back and let us know how it turned out.
Love it.😘