Oh, the holidays! The twinkling lights, the cozy sweaters, and of course, the gatherings! And what’s a holiday party without a killer drink that just screams celebration? My mission every year is to find that perfect festive beverage, and let me tell you, this Christmas Holiday Sangria with Pomegranate is IT. It’s so vibrant and bursting with flavor, everyone always raves about it. I first made it a few years back when I was trying to find something that felt really special but wouldn’t keep me chained to the bar all night. It was a lifesaver! Seriously, this sangria is the easiest way to make your holiday get-together sparkle.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Holiday Sangria
Seriously, this sangria is a total game-changer for your holiday parties! It’s so ridiculously easy to throw together. You just mix everything, chill it, and boom – you’ve got a stunning, festive drink that everyone goes crazy for. Plus, the best part? You can totally make it ahead, which saves so much stress on the big day.
- It’s super easy to make – just pour and chill!
- It looks absolutely gorgeous with those festive colors.
- It’s a crowd-pleaser that tastes amazing.
- You can make it ahead, which is a lifesaver!
- It’s versatile – feel free to swap out fruits if you need to.
Ingredients for Your Christmas Holiday Sangria
Okay, so gathering your goodies for this Christmas Holiday Sangria is probably my favorite part, right after tasting it, of course! You’ll want to grab a good bottle of dry red wine – nothing too sweet, we’re building layers of flavor here. Then, a little splash of brandy and some orange liqueur, like Triple Sec or Cointreau, just to give it that extra something-something.
Now for the stars of the show: pomegranate juice and fresh orange juice. These give it that gorgeous crimson color and a bright, tangy punch that’s just perfect. And don’t forget the fresh fruit! You’ll need one orange, thinly sliced, and one apple, cored and also sliced nice and thin to get all those beautiful juices flowing. And for that *wow* factor when you serve it? A good half cup of fresh pomegranate seeds scattered in at the end. Trust me, it makes all the difference!
- 1 bottle (750ml) dry red wine
- 1/2 cup brandy
- 1/4 cup orange liqueur (like Triple Sec or Cointreau)
- 1/4 cup pomegranate juice
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 orange, thinly sliced
- 1 apple, cored and thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh pomegranate seeds
- Ice cubes
- Optional: Sparkling water or club soda
Equipment Needed for Christmas Holiday Sangria
To whip up this magical Christmas Holiday Sangria, you really don’t need anything super fancy. You’ll want a big ol’ pitcher – the bigger, the better, honestly. Grab your trusty measuring cups and spoons so everything is just right. And a good knife for all that fruit slicing will come in handy. That’s really it – simple tools for a simple, spectacular drink!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Christmas Holiday Sangria
Alright, let’s get this Christmas Holiday Sangria party started! This is where the magic really happens, and trust me, it’s ridiculously easy. First things first, grab your biggest pitcher. Seriously, you want room to mix everything without spills, right? So, into that pitcher, let’s pour in your dry red wine. Then, add the brandy – just a nice, steady pour. Next, the orange liqueur; this adds that lovely citrus depth. Give yourself a little cheer – see? Already feeling festive!
Now, let’s get those juices in there. Pour in that gorgeous pomegranate juice for color and flavor, followed by the fresh orange juice for that bright zing. Give it all a good stir right away to make sure all those liquids are chummy with each other. This is also the time to add your sliced oranges and apples. Just nestle them right in there. They’ll do their flavor-infusing work while everything chills. Remember to stir gently so you don’t bruise those fruit slices too much!
Here’s the most important part for flavor: chilling! Cover that pitcher up tight – plastic wrap works great, or just pop the lid on if it has one – and stick it in the fridge. You want it to chill for at least 4 hours, but honestly, overnight is even better. That’s when all those flavors really get to know each other and meld into something spectacular. Don’t rush this step; it’s totally worth the wait! Think of it like letting your favorite holiday song play through completely – you wouldn’t skip to the end, would you?
When you’re ready to serve – maybe about 15 minutes before your guests arrive so it’s nice and cold – give it one last good stir. This is when you’ll add those beautiful, jewel-like fresh pomegranate seeds. Just sprinkle them in; they’ll float around and look so pretty. Then, ladle your Christmas Holiday Sangria into glasses filled with ice. If you like a little sparkle, top each glass off with a splash of sparkling water or club soda. It adds a lovely fizz! It feels so fancy, but it’s honestly this simple!
Tips for the Perfect Christmas Holiday Sangria
Okay, so you want your Christmas Holiday Sangria to be absolutely perfect, right? Trust me, after making this a few years in a row, I’ve picked up a few little tricks! First off, when it comes to wine, anything dry and fruity works wonderfully. I usually go for something like a Merlot or a Cabernet Sauvignon, but don’t overthink it! The fruit and spirits will do most of the heavy lifting here. For the fruit, make sure you slice it nice and thin so it releases all those yummy flavors into the sangria. And that chilling time? SO important. Seriously, don’t skimp on it! The longer it sits, the better it tastes. I like to make mine the day before if I can. Before serving, give it a good stir and add those fresh pomegranate seeds right at the end so they stay bright and jewel-like. And if you want it a little less boozy or are serving a crowd that might appreciate it, topping with a splash of sparkling water really makes it pop and feel extra festive!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Let’s talk ingredients for this Christmas Holiday Sangria, because even though it’s simple, a few little notes can make it even better! For the red wine, don’t feel like you need to break the bank. A decent, fruity dry red wine is perfect. Think Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or even a Spanish Rioja. Avoid anything too oaky or sweet. If you don’t have brandy, a decent-quality cognac will do just fine. And for the orange liqueur, if you can’t find Triple Sec or Cointreau, a little splash of Grand Marnier adds a lovely richness, or you could even use a bit of fresh orange juice and a tiny pinch of orange zest if you’re really in a pinch.
Serving and Storage Instructions
Serving this Christmas Holiday Sangria is honestly the easiest part! Just ladle it into glasses filled with plenty of ice. I absolutely love topping mine with a little splash of sparkling water or club soda right before handing it out – it adds a lovely fizz! If you happen to have any leftovers (which is rare, trust me!), just pop a lid on the pitcher or transfer it to a sealed container and pop it in the fridge. It’s best enjoyed within 2-3 days, and it’s still wonderfully flavorful. No need to reheat at all!
Frequently Asked Questions about Christmas Holiday Sangria
Got questions about this fabulous Christmas Holiday Sangria? I’ve got you covered! It’s honestly so forgiving, but here are a few things folks often wonder about.
Can I use white wine instead of red for this sangria?
Absolutely! While this recipe calls for a dry red wine, white wine totally works too. A crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a Pinot Grigio would be lovely, especially if you’re looking for something a bit lighter and brighter. Just follow the rest of the steps the same way!
How long can I keep this sangria in the refrigerator?
You can totally make this Christmas Holiday Sangria ahead of time, which is fantastic for holiday prep! It’s best enjoyed within 2 to 3 days of making it. The flavors keep developing, but after that, the fruit can get a little too mushy. Just keep it covered tightly in the fridge.
Can I make this holiday sangria non-alcoholic?
You sure can! While this is a cocktail, you can absolutely whip up a festive mocktail version. Skip the wine, brandy, and orange liqueur. Instead, use a mix of pomegranate juice, cranberry juice, and maybe some sparkling white grape juice or a good quality non-alcoholic red wine substitute. Add extra fruit and maybe a splash of something like ginger ale or club soda at the end. Check out some mocktail ideas for inspiration!
Is it okay to use different fruits in my sangria?
Oh, for sure! That’s part of the fun with sangria. Feel free to toss in some cranberries, pears, or even a few chunks of pineapple if you like. Just make sure whatever fruit you add is something that tastes good when it has a chance to soak in the liquids for a few hours.
Nutritional Information (Estimated)
So, you’re curious about the numbers, huh? Totally get it! While every batch of this Christmas Holiday Sangria with Pomegranate can vary a bit depending on the exact wine and juices you use, here’s a pretty good ballpark estimate for you. We’re usually looking at around 250 calories per serving, with about 15g of carbs and a good chunk of that being sugar. There’s not much fat or protein to speak of. Remember, these are just estimates to give you a general idea!
Print
Christmas Holiday Sangria with Pomegranate
- Total Time: 4 hr 15 min
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A festive and refreshing sangria perfect for holiday gatherings, featuring pomegranate and citrus flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 bottle (750ml) dry red wine
- 1/2 cup brandy
- 1/4 cup orange liqueur (like Triple Sec or Cointreau)
- 1/4 cup pomegranate juice
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 orange, thinly sliced
- 1 apple, cored and thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh pomegranate seeds
- Ice cubes
- Optional: Sparkling water or club soda
Instructions
- In a large pitcher, combine the red wine, brandy, orange liqueur, pomegranate juice, and fresh orange juice.
- Add the sliced orange and apple to the pitcher.
- Stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld.
- Before serving, stir in the fresh pomegranate seeds.
- Serve the sangria over ice. If desired, top with a splash of sparkling water or club soda.
Notes
- For a sweeter sangria, you can add a tablespoon or two of simple syrup.
- Feel free to substitute other fruits like cranberries or pears.
- This sangria can be made up to 2 days in advance.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Category: Beverage
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Christmas sangria, holiday drink, pomegranate sangria, red wine cocktail, festive beverage, party drink