This Christmas Sangria is simple to make and fizzy with your choice of club soda or tonic water and sweet from the natural fruit juices that are muddled and swim in the wine overnight. 

Christmas Thanksgiving Sangria

More than likely you will be serving wine at your Christmas dinner, but instead of plain ol’ wine, how about make your wine go further and serve this festive Christmas sangria?

Muddling

To muddle means to press the ingredients against the side of the glass with a muddler. Muddling helps release the flavors of the fresh fruit. However, do not over-muddle the cranberries or you will have a tart and cloudy sangria. 

ingredients to make sangria for Christmas

Muddlers come in either wood, plastic, or metal. For this pitcher cocktail, a wooden spoon works perfectly. 

sangria fruits pear apple cranberries orange slices

This drink is cheerful, economical, and delicious. What’s not to like? Make it the night before and your pitcher will be ready to display on your table for your guests.

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muddle cranberries in pitcher to make sangria

Ingredients to make Christmas sangria

(scroll down for detailed recipe)

  • cranberries
  • orange
  • apple
  • pear
  • red wine
  • club soda or tonic water

red wine to make Christmas sangria

What is the best red wine to make sangria?

Sangria is one of the easiest cocktails for a crowd and this one is budget friendly too. No need to buy top of the line wine, or add brandy, or orange liqueur to this sangria.

  • Merlot is generally fruity and mellow.
  • Cabernet Sauvignon is complex and elegant with hints of berries.
  • My favorite red wine is Tempranillo; Spain’s top red wine, made famous by Rioja. It is similar to Cabernet Sauvignon, but it also has fruity and cherry flavors.

Give this sangria time to sit—the longer the fruits and wine get to know each other the better.

This sangria is simple to make and fizzy with your choice of club soda or tonic water and sweet from the natural fruit juices that are muddled and swim in the wine overnight.

glass of red Christmas Sangria under white linen

Watch this video to see how quickly this sangria comes together.

More winter Sangria recipes for Thanksgiving and Christmas

Christmas Sangria

4.55 (33 ratings)
This sangria is simple to make and fizzy with your choice of club soda or tonic water and sweet from the natural fruit juices that are muddled and swim in the wine overnight. This drink is cheerful, economical, and delicious. What’s not to like? Make it the night before and your pitcher will be ready to display on your table for your guests.
Print Pin Rate
Yield: 8 to 12
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Chill: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 6 ounces cranberries, rinsed
  • 1 orange, sliced
  • 1 apple, cored and cut into thin wedges
  • 1 pear, cored and cut into thin wedges
  • 2 bottles red wine, recommend Tempranillo
  • 1 liter club soda or tonic water, chilled

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Instructions 

  • Muddle the cranberries in a large pitcher. Use the back of a spoon to crush and smash them against the sides of the pitcher.
  • Add the orange, apple and pear slices and muddle.
  • Pour in the wine and stir. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
  • Before serving, stir in tonic water or club soda. Serve cold.

Video

Notes

  • To muddle means to press the ingredients against the side of the glass with a muddler. Muddling helps release the flavors of the fresh fruit. However, do not over-muddle the cranberries or you will have a tart and cloudy sangria. 
  • Feel free to add tangerine slices or any other berries if you cannot find cranberries. 
Calories: 198kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 37mg, Potassium: 283mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 62IU, Vitamin C: 14mg, Calcium: 33mg, Iron: 1mg
Author: Yvette Marquez
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Spanish

Inspired by: Super Budget Thanksgiving Sangria from The Kitchn