Holly Jolly Red Christmas Sangria Recipe
Last Updated on November 15, 2024 by Jacqueline Rafidi
This holly jolly red Christmas sangria recipe is just the drink to take your holiday gatherings up a notch! It’s festive, it’s fun, and it’s loaded with fresh fruit, cozy spices, and a whole lot of holiday cheer.
I love a good sangria. I posted this Thanksgiving sangria which had apples, apple butter and white wine. It was only fitting to make a red sangria for Christmas!
Holly Jolly Red Christmas Sangria Recipe
A good sangria is the perfect batch drink for just about any holiday, and this red wine Christmas sangria brings something extra special with its holiday flavors, seasonal fruits, and warm spices. I’ve tried a lot of sangria recipes, but there’s something about the blend of red wine, cinnamon sticks, pomegranate juice, and fresh cranberries that just makes it more festive! Plus, it’s such an easy cocktail recipe to pull together which means during this time of year, you can spend more time enjoying your holiday rather than mixing drinks.
Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, having a cozy Christmas Eve at home, or just in need of a festive twist to your weeknight dinner, this Christmas sangria is the perfect choice every time. Let’s break it down step by step!
For this Christmas sangria, I recommend a dry red wine like Pinot Noir. It has a nice balance, which keeps the sangria from being overly sweet.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 bottle of dry red wine – Make sure it’s a dry wed wine and not sweet otherwise the final sangria will be too sweet. I used a pinot noir here.
- Pomegranate juice – Adds a deep, festive color and tangy taste.
- Orange liqueur – To bring in that bright, citrusy flavor.
- Orange bitters – This adds a little Christmasy touch that I like. The orange bitters are optional but it’s hard to mimic that flavor and fragrance.
- Pomegranate arils – adds a beautiful jeweled look, plus a nice crunch and sweetness
- Cranberries – fresh or frozen work here. They float to the top and add a pretty pop of red!
- Cinnamon sticks – essential for that warm holiday flavor
- Star anise – Adds a subtle spice without being too overpowering
- Apple slices – Sliced and added right in for flavor and presentation. I chose green apples here to play on the traditional Christmas colors.
- Orange slices – Keep the peel on for extra color.
- Sprig of rosemary – For flavor and presentation
Add the full bottle of wine along with the rest of the ingredients to a large pitcher and stir. Let it sit for 8 hours to overnight. And that’s it!
Once you’re ready to serve, give the sangria a good stir and pour it into stemless wine glasses. You can add a splash of sparkling water or ginger ale for a little sparkle if you like. Garnish each glass with a slice of orange or a few pomegranate seeds for an extra festive touch.
Tips for Making The Best Red Christmas Sangria
- Choose the Right Wine: Pinot Noir works beautifully for this red sangria recipe, but you could also try a Merlot or a Malbec if you want something richer.
- Use Seasonal Fruits: Citrus fruits like oranges and apples bring a fresh brightness to the sangria, while cranberries and pomegranate seeds add color and a touch of tartness. They also make the drink look incredibly festive!
- Let It Chill: Patience pays off here. Letting it sit in the fridge allows the flavors to meld, creating a smooth, delicious Christmas sangria that’s perfect for holiday parties.
- Make It Ahead: Since this is a big-batch cocktail, it’s perfect for prepping the night before. Simply store in an airtight container in the fridge, and it’ll be ready to go whenever you are!
Variations to Try Next Time
- Add Fresh Herbs: We use rosemary here, but experiment with any others you may have! Th
- Switch Up the Wine: If you prefer a white sangria recipe, swap out the red wine for a dry white wine like in my Thanksgiving sangria!
- Experiment with Fruit: While I love cranberries and pomegranates in my holiday sangria, you could also add things like sliced pears, or even a few frozen cherries.
- Ginger beer or seltzer water: Add a bit of fizz with some ginger beer, club soda or seltzer water when you’re ready to serve!
I come back to this easy Christmas red wine sangria recipe every year! It’s such a simple recipe and the perfect way to toast to the holiday season!
Serve this up on Christmas day or eve in stemless wine glasses for a casual feel, or go all out with a punch bowl if you’re hosting a larger gathering. However you serve it, this drink is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it! I just know you’re going to love this. I can’t wait to sip on this tomorrow for Christmas!
When you make this holly jolly Christmas sangria, comment down below and rate this recipe to let me know your thoughts! Also share a picture or tag me on Instagram @thebitewithjackie, I love seeing your remakes!
Holly Jolly Christmas Sangria
Ingredients
- 1 bottle of red wine I use pinot noir but any dry red wine is good
- 1 ½ cup pomegranate juice
- 1/3 – ½ cup orange liqueur I used Grand Marnier
- 3-4 dashes orange bitters optional
- ½ cup pomegranate arils
- 1 cup cranberries
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 3-4 star anise
- 1 apple thinly sliced
- 1 orange sliced
- 1 sprig rosemary optional
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a pitcher. Mix well and enjoy OR for best flavor, let it sit 8 hours to overnight.
