Classic Holiday Sangria Cocktail Recipe

When Christmas is around the corner, I get this urge to whip up special drinks that everyone at the table can enjoy. One of my absolute favorite picks for holiday parties is a classic holiday sangria cocktail.

This festive sangria is fruity, refreshing, and honestly so easy to make—it’s my go-to Christmas cocktail for sharing with family and friends.

My recipe leans on red wine, a handful of simple spices, some colorful fruit, and a splash of cider to create this cozy, cheerful flavor in every glass. It’s a fuss-free way to bring people together and add a little sparkle to any winter get-together.

If you’re after a drink that’s as pretty as it is tasty, well, you’re in the right spot.

Classic Holiday Sangria Cocktail Recipe

This sangria is a mash-up of fresh fruit, warming spices, and bright juices. The result? Sweet, crisp, and totally easy to throw together.

I stick with a handful of simple tools and ingredients to make a pitcher that’s just right for sharing.

Equipment

• Large pitcher or mixing jug
• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Citrus juicer
• Spoon for stirring
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Fine mesh strainer (optional, for removing larger spice pieces)
• Glasses for serving

Honestly, a roomy pitcher is key—it makes mixing everything in so much easier. A sharp knife and a decent cutting board help keep the fruit slices neat.

Measuring cups? They save me from going overboard with the liquids (it happens).

Ingredients

• 1 bottle red wine (750ml, medium-bodied)
• 1/2 cup Grand Marnier (or other orange liqueur)
• 1/2 cup cranberry juice
• 1/2 cup pomegranate juice
• 1/2 cup sparkling apple cider (or sparkling water for less sweetness)
• 1/4 cup simple syrup (or honey, to taste)
• 1 small apple, cored and sliced
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 1/2 cup fresh cranberries
• 2–3 cinnamon sticks
• 4–6 cloves
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 1/4 teaspoon ground spices (a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice, optional)
• Ice (for serving)

These ingredients give the sangria a mix of sweet, tart, and spicy notes. The fresh fruit not only looks gorgeous in the glass, but it soaks up all those flavors.

Grand Marnier adds a little orange kick, and the juices bring in that deep color and tang.

Instructions

• Slice the apple, orange, and lemon into thin rounds or wedges.
• In the pitcher, combine the wine, Grand Marnier, cranberry juice, and pomegranate juice.
• Stir in the simple syrup (or honey) until it’s dissolved.
• Add the sliced fruit, fresh cranberries, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and fresh rosemary.
• Sprinkle in any extra ground spices if you’re feeling it.
• Mix gently with the spoon—don’t mash the fruit too much.
• Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours so the fruit and spices can work their magic.
• Before serving, add the sparkling apple cider (or sparkling water) and give it one last stir.
• Pour into glasses over ice, making sure everyone gets some fruit and, if you can swing it, a cinnamon stick.

Notes

I always give the sangria a quick taste before serving—sometimes it needs a bit more simple syrup or honey, depending on the fruit.

The longer it chills, the more the flavors come together, but honestly, I don’t always wait that long.

If you’re not a huge rosemary fan, just let it infuse for a bit and then fish it out before pouring. Want to make it lighter? Just add more sparkling cider or water.

When I serve this for a crowd, I like to set out extra garnishes—orange slices, cinnamon sticks—so everyone can jazz up their own glass. Sangria holds up in the fridge for a day, and the flavor just gets better.

Tasting Notes

So, when I take a sip of holiday sangria, I get this burst of fruity flavors right away. The citrus—especially orange and lemon—kinda pops out, giving everything a tangy, refreshing kick.

Then there’s the apple and berry juices blending in. Each sip ends up tasting bright and juicy, which honestly just makes me want another.

Red sangria? Always feels a bit bolder. The red wine brings this deeper, richer vibe, and you can really pick up on the berry and spice notes.

Sometimes there’s cinnamon sticks or maybe a few cloves, and they add this subtle, cozy warmth. Red sangria just screams “holiday evening” to me, especially when it’s cold outside.

With white wine sangria, it’s a totally different story. Everything’s lighter, more crisp, and it doesn’t weigh you down.

You get green apples, peaches, and all that citrus shining through. Sometimes there’s this gentle sweetness, probably from a little extra fruit juice or maybe a splash of brandy—depends on the mood.

Here’s usually how I sum up the main notes:

• Red Sangria: Berry, warm spice, rich fruit, smooth finish
• White Wine Sangria: Crisp, light, citrus, a touch sweet

One thing I love? The way the fruit soaks up all that wine and turns into a snack on its own. Every glass ends up looking so colorful and cheerful, which just fits for the holidays.

The aromas are fresh and festive, honestly hard to resist. It’s like an invitation in a glass.

Extra ice keeps things cool and helps mellow out the flavors a bit. I’ve found that if you let the sangria sit for a few hours, everything just blends together and, somehow, it tastes even better.