By Becky Hardin
Published Dec 14, 2022
My tried-and-true holiday sangria recipe is the perfect cocktail for Christmas, New Year’s, Thanksgiving, or any time during the holiday season! I make it with red wine, vodka, sparkling apple cider, spiced apple cider, and cranberry juice, so it really tastes festive. Plus, this red wine Christmas sangria is so easy to make, I can simply whip up an extra batch during any party without missing a beat. It really fills the room with holiday cheer!
I’ve got a sangria for every season and this one is absolutely my favorite sangria for the holidays! The mix of apple cider and cranberry makes it taste like fall and winter all in one comforting cocktail. It’s also just a little bit fizzy and bubbly thanks to the sparkling cider, which I think adds a nice finish to every sip. It’s the star of every one of my holidays parties!
Ingredients for Christmas Sangria
- Red Wine : A dry red wine works best for this recipe, unless you want an extra sweet sangria. I typically use a Cabernet.
- Sparkling Apple Cider: This adds a bubbly finish that’s especially nice for New Year’s Eve.
- Spiced Apple Cider : This gives it a really nice, warm flavor.
- Vodka: You can use any vodka you prefer here. I often use a gluten-free vodka to make it drinkable for everyone, but many pure distilled vodkas are naturally gluten-free.
- Cranberry Juice: I prefer to use pure unsweetened cranberry juice so the sangria doesn’t get too sweet. But you can use cranberry juice cocktail if you like.
- Fruit: A mix of sliced oranges, apples, and cranberries infuse the liquid with more fruit flavor.
How to Store
This holiday sangria tastes best when mixed and served right away, or with just a few hours of chilling in the fridge beforehand. Since it only takes 5 minutes to throw together, I’ve never needed to worry much about preparing it. If you do have some leftover, store it in a pitcher in the refrigerator; it’ll taste best if consumed within a couple of days.
Serving Suggestions
To really make this sangria feel festive for Christmas, I serve glasses of it heavily garnished with fresh fruit slices and a sprig of rosemary. Sometimes I add these sugared cranberries on top for an extra sweet finish, or these dried orange slices .
5-Star Review
“I made this for Christmas eve. It is one of the best red sangrias that I have had! Loved the spiced flavor from the spiced apple cider!” – Leslie
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 750 ml Red Wine I used Cabernet (1 bottle)
- ▢ 750 ml Sparkling Apple Cider (1 bottle)
- ▢ 1 cup Good Quality Vodka
- ▢ 1 cup Cranberry Juice
- ▢ 1 cup Spiced Apple Cider
- ▢ Sliced oranges apples, fresh cranberries, and springs of rosemary for garnish
Video
Instructions
- Stir together all of the liquid ingredients in a large pitcher. 750 ml Red Wine, 750 ml Sparkling Apple Cider, 1 cup Good Quality Vodka, 1 cup Cranberry Juice, 1 cup Spiced Apple Cider
- Garnish the pitcher with the fruit slices. Sliced oranges
- Pour over ice and add a sprig of rosemary to each glass.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Generally, yes sangria is gluten free, and this recipe definitely is!
Vodka generally works best, but you could use rum, brandy, or another liquor if you prefer.
I recommend using a dry red wine since the other ingredients will really sweeten things up. I used Cabernet for this recipe, but Pinot Noir or Malbec would work too.
Yes, you can mix everything together and keep it in the fridge until ready to serve. Just give it a nice stir before serving.
More Christmas Drinks to Try!
Caramel Apple Hot Toddy Cocktail
Jingle Juice
Mulled Wine Margaritas (Christmas Margarita Recipe)
White Christmas Tequila Sours
Easy Holiday Sangria (Gluten Free)
Ingredients
- 750 ml Red Wine I used Cabernet (1 bottle)
- 750 ml Sparkling Apple Cider (1 bottle)
- 1 cup Good Quality Vodka
- 1 cup Cranberry Juice
- 1 cup Spiced Apple Cider
- Sliced oranges apples, fresh cranberries, and springs of rosemary for garnish
Instructions
- Stir together all of the liquid ingredients in a large pitcher. 750 ml Red Wine, 750 ml Sparkling Apple Cider, 1 cup Good Quality Vodka, 1 cup Cranberry Juice, 1 cup Spiced Apple Cider
- Garnish the pitcher with the fruit slices. Sliced oranges
- Pour over ice and add a sprig of rosemary to each glass.
- Enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
