Description

This Delightful Festive Holiday Sangria is a beautifully balanced drink perfect for holiday gatherings. Featuring full-bodied red wine blended with apple cider, pomegranate juice, and brandy, it is infused with warm cinnamon and topped with sparkling ginger beer for a festive fizz. Fresh fruit and aromatic rosemary sprigs make it as visually stunning as it is delicious.

Ingredients

Scale

Liquids

750 milliliters dry red wine (Choose a full-bodied wine for rich flavor)
1 cup apple cider or unfiltered apple juice (Adds natural sweetness)
1/2 cup pomegranate juice (Enhances color and provides tang)
1/2 cup brandy (Elevates the drink’s depth)
2 (12-ounce) cans chilled ginger beer or ginger ale (Provides a sparkling finish)

Fruits & Garnishes

2 medium oranges (Cut into half-moons)
2 medium pears or apples (Core and slice thinly)
fresh rosemary sprigs (Adds a fragrant touch)
cranberries (For a pop of color)
pomegranate arils (Echoes the pomegranate flavor)

Spices & Extras

4 cinnamon sticks (Infuse warm spices)
ice (Use plenty to keep sangria chilled)

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Instructions

Combine Liquids: Pour the dry red wine, apple cider, pomegranate juice, and brandy into a 2-quart pitcher. Stir gently to blend all the flavors evenly.
Prepare Fruits: Halve the oranges and slice into 1/4-inch-thick half-moons. Core and thinly slice the pears or apples. Add them to the pitcher with the liquid mixture.
Add Warm Spices: Place the cinnamon sticks into the pitcher and stir gently to distribute their flavor.
Refrigerate: Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for at least 8 hours to allow the flavors to meld and intensify.
Serve: When ready to serve, fill wine glasses with plenty of ice. Pour the sangria three-quarters full over the ice.
Top and Garnish: Top each glass with chilled ginger beer or ginger ale for a sparkling finish. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs, cranberries, and pomegranate arils to add aroma, color, and festive elegance.

Notes

For best flavor, let the sangria infuse overnight.
Use unfiltered apple juice or apple cider to add natural sweetness and body.
Switch pears for apples if preferred; both work well.
Adjust cinnamon sticks amount based on how strong you want the spice flavor.
Serve immediately after adding ginger beer to maintain fizz.
Can be made a day in advance and stored covered in refrigerator without ginger beer.