Description
A simple, make-ahead red wine sangria featuring seasonal cranberries, oranges, and warm winter spices, perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (750 ml) bottle dry red wine (like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon)
- 1 cup brandy
- 1/2 cup orange juice, fresh squeezed
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup or simple syrup
- 1 orange, sliced thinly
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 apple, cored and chopped
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 3 whole star anise
- 1/2 cup sparkling water or club soda (for serving)
Instructions
- In a large pitcher or punch bowl, combine the red wine, brandy, orange juice, and maple syrup. Stir well to mix the liquids.
- Add the sliced orange, cranberries, chopped apple, cinnamon sticks, and star anise to the pitcher.
- Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the fruit flavors to infuse the wine.
- When ready to serve, stir the sangria gently.
- Serve the sangria over ice in individual glasses, ensuring each glass gets some fruit.
- Top each serving with a splash of sparkling water or club soda for light carbonation.
Notes
- If you prefer a sweeter drink, increase the maple syrup to 1/2 cup.
- You can substitute the brandy with dark rum for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Remove the cinnamon sticks and star anise before serving if you do not want guests to bite into them.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: Infusion
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass (about 6 oz)
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20
- Sodium: 10
- Fat: 0
- Saturated Fat: 0
- Unsaturated Fat: 0
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 0
- Cholesterol: 0