Winter Red Sangria
jump toRECIPE
Sangria is an easy drink to throw together for a party or gathering, particularly since you can make a large batch ahead of time. When I’m playing hostess and running around, I can’t always make sure people have drinks at all times. Instead I recommend filling a large pitcher, dispenser or carafe with the sangria, letting people fill up on this fruity punch as needed! Using one with a spout makes for easy refills!
Based on experience, I have found that the most successful parties occur when people have full glasses and full stomachs. While sangria can be served all year round, I like to change the fruit and other accompaniments seasonally.
Winter Red Sangria
Table of contents
More About This Sangria Recipe
I like to let the wine, triple sec, brandy, lemon juice and simple syrup marinate as it lets the flavors develop.
Then I keep from adding the fruit until serving so that it doesn’t get grainy and soft. I love to snack on the fruit once I’ve finished off a glass so I like to keep it fresh. Refrigerating the sangria before serving also keeps it chilled so the cocktail doesn’t get watered down when it’s served over ice.
Key Ingredients in This Recipe
- Wine – The base of this sangria is red wine, and I chose to use Cabernet Sauvignon. Since the wine will be blended with other ingredients, you don’t have to use an expensive, nice bottle, but it’s still important that you use a wine you would want to drink since it will provide the majority of the flavor.
- Triple sec – Triple sec is a sweet, clear orange liqueur made with a range between 15% to 40% alcohol from the peels of sweet and bitter oranges. Cointreau, a premium variety of triple sec, has a higher alcohol content and a more refined flavor compared to most other varieties of triple sec.
- Brandy – Brandy is a distilled spirit made from fermented wine or fruit juice, often aged in wooden casks, known for its smooth, rich, and fruity flavor.
- Seasoning – This cold weather sangria is served with cinnamon sticks, rosemary, apples, pears, and cranberries for a wintery take on the drink.
How to Make Red Wine Sangria
- Make the sangria. In a large carafe or bottle add the wine, triple sec, brandy, lemon juice and simple syrup and stir to combine. Refrigerate until ready to serve, at least 2 hours.
- Serve with fruit. Pour the sangria into glasses and garnish with apples, pears, cranberries, pomegranate seeds, cinnamon sticks and rosemary sprigs.
Tips and Tricks for This Recipe
Swaps and substitutions
- The red wine can be swapped for a white for a lighter spin.
- To add a subtle fizz and cut the sweetness of the sangria, add a splash of ginger ale, club soda or sparkling water to each glass.
Other garnishes
- Other winter citrus like blood oranges
- Try using a small cookie cutter for apple or pear slices for a festive touch.
Other Recipes to Try
If you enjoy this winter sangria recipe, give these recipes a try:
Winter Red Sangria
Rate this Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 (750ml) bottles red wine
- 4 ounces triple sec
- 3 ounces brandy
- 2 ounces fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup simple syrup*
- 1 large Granny smith apple, cored and sliced
- 2 medium pears, cored and sliced
- 1½ cups fresh cranberries
- 1 pomegranate, seeds removed
- Cinnamon sticks, for garnish
- Rosemary sprigs, for garnish
Instructions:
- In a large carafe or bottle add the wine, triple sec, brandy, lemon juice and simple syrup and stir to combine. Refrigerate until ready to serve, at least 2 hours.
- Pour the sangria into glasses and garnish with apples, pears, cranberries, pomegranate seeds, cinnamon sticks and rosemary sprigs.
Notes:
Nutrition:
TAG ME ON INSTAGRAM TO BE FEATURED ON MY STORIES! @cookingwithcocktailrings
Rate + Review
WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THIS RECIPE?