This sangria Christmas cocktail is the perfect way to celebrate the festive season. Served over ice this sangria is refreshing, crisp and sure to delight.
Sangria is one of my signature drinks to make when celebrating with friends. My best friend and I are always on sangria duty, so this Christmas I thought why not make it festive!
When I think of Christmas drinks I think of bubbles and lots of yummy fruits.
Christmas time for me is Summertime. We spend our Christmas day in the backyard playing cricket and eating BBQ prepared foods while sipping on this sangria Christmas cocktail. It’s truly my favourite day of the year.
We love to decorate our home on the 1st of December every year. It’s become our tradition to buy a real pine tree and set it up in the lounge to get the full swing of Christmas going.
Nothing beats the smell of fresh pine in the house. I love to hang vintage and handmade decorations on our tree along with these stockings I made us last year.
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Why you will love this Christmas sangria recipe
- Refreshing to drink
- Filled with fruity Christmas flavours
- Easy to make
- Pairs well with Christmas ham!
What is sangria typically made of?
Sangria originated from Spain and is made from a combination of things. It’s typically made with
- Red or white wine like Prosecco
- Spirits like brandy or rum
- Fruit juice like orange juice
- Fresh seasonal fruits
All the good stuff mixed into one!
The beauty of sangria is that you can customise it to the fruits and alcohol you enjoy.
How do you make Sangria?
Sangria is honestly one of the easiest, tastiest drinks to put together.
All you need to do is add your chopped fruit to a pitcher. I like to press mine down and give it a little mash around to help extract some of the juices.
Add in your spirits, wine, juice. Give it a good ole mix around.
Now this step is the secret sauce…Chill it! Chill your sangria until its ice cold.
Every mouth-watering, refreshing sangria I’ve ever had, has been ice cold and delicious!
Can you substitute vodka for brandy in sangria?
Yes! I always use either Vodka or Bacardi in sangria, which is what I often have on hand. This is personal preference but the beauty of sangria is that you can experiment with the flavours you enjoy.
I added Bacardi to this sangria Christmas cocktail because it’s what we enjoy.
You could also add a dark rum to create a full fruity, rich taste. Perfect for Christmas time!
What tastes good with sangria?
Christmas day is filled with what feels like an endless amount of food. Many pair fabulously with this sangria Christmas cocktail.
Here are some of my favourite pairings
- Cheese, cheese and more cheese. Try brie or camembert on quality crackers – you can thank me later!
- Christmas ham is not to be missed
- Chocolate. Think cake, mouse, chochy covered pavlova. There’s something divine about mixing decadent chocolate with oranges and cranberry.
What fruit is best for sangria?
I love using any fresh, in season fruits but frozen will work well too if fruit is limited where you are.
Fresh, juicy fruits add more flavour to the cocktail, so don’t skip this step!
Here are some Christmas fruits to use
- Orange, green apple and pomegranate
- Strawberries, blueberries and green apple
- Orange and cranberries
Eating the fruit at the end of each glass of sangria is not to be missed. The flavour is sweet and delightful.
Fresh herbs are a nice finishing touch to add. Try fresh sprigs of mint or rosemary.
How to serve this sangria Christmas cocktail?
Its best to make sangria in a pitcher, then serve over ice in tumblers or wine glasses. It’s easier to place a pitcher back into a cold fridge than a punch bowl!
I would recommend using some pretty vintage style tumblers.
The rich red and orange look magical in glasses like these. They add to the traditional Christmas touch, which I love!
Fill the glass with half ice and pour over the sangria.
Now let’s get fancy and add some finishing touches to really wow your family. Slice some oranges into wedges and place them over the glass rim.
If you have a fresh herb garden add a sprig of mint or rosemary.
Sprinkle some fresh pomegranate seeds over the top and voila!
I hope you enjoy drinking this refreshing Christmas sangria with your loved ones.
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Sangria Christmas Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 Shots Vodka or Bacardi
- 1 bottle Prosecco
- 250 ml orange juice
- 250 ml cranberry juice
- 2 oranges sliced
- 1 green apple sliced
- 1 pomegranate or pack of seeds
- A few sprigs of mint or rosemary to garnish
Instructions
- Cut up the oranges and apples into slices.
- Add one of the oranges and the apple into a pitcher.
- Using a wooden spoon push down on the fruit to extract some of the juices. Don't over do it because the fruit will become mushy.
- Add a good handful of ice.
- Pour in the Vodka or Bacardi, Prosecco and juice. Stir to combine.
- Add a sprinkle of fresh pomegranate seeds.
- Place into the fridge to chill for 30 minutes to an hour.
- Serve over ice with a slice of orange, sprig of mint and a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
