There’s something magical about the scents and flavors that fill your kitchen when you make this Festive Christmas Sangria Recipe. It combines fresh fruit, warm spices, and cozy holiday vibes into one big, beautiful punch bowl — perfect for sharing around the table with friends and family.

A clear round glass filled with deep red liquid with several red cranberries and thin orange slices floating inside; the glass rim is coated with green sugar crystals and topped with a cinnamon stick and a small sprig of green rosemary. The glass sits on a white coaster with a gold edge, which is placed on a round wooden board. In the background, parts of similar glasses with the same red drink and garnishes are visible, all set on a white marbled surface with scattered cranberries and green leaves nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Christmas Sangria Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Christmas Sangria Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Christmas Sangria Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Festive Christmas Sangria Recipe isn’t just a drink; it’s a celebration in a glass. I adore how easy it is to throw together, yet it makes a stunning impression with its deep reds and bright fruit hues. It’s a crowd-pleaser that adds warmth and cheer to any holiday gathering.

Seasonal Freshness: Using crisp apples, tart cranberries, and fresh oranges brings natural holiday flavors that punch up the taste.
Balanced Sweetness: Honey and cranberry juice add just the right touch of sweetness without overpowering the spices.
Cozy Aromatics: The rosemary and cinnamon sticks aren’t just garnishes—they really infuse this sangria with that festive warmth you crave.
Make Ahead Friendly: It tastes even better after sitting in the fridge, so you can prep it early and free yourself up for holiday fun.

Three clear round glasses filled with a deep red drink sit on white coasters with gold edges, placed on a wooden board over a white marbled surface. Each glass has a green sugar-edged rim, floating red cranberries, orange slices, and a cinnamon stick with a sprig of rosemary for garnish. Scattered cranberries and small green pine branches surround the scene, with a red candle and festive decorations in the blurred background. The setting has a cozy, holiday feel, and the photo was taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The beauty of this sangria is how each ingredient plays off the others beautifully—the crisp apples and citrus brighten the sweet wine, while tart cranberries and warm spices add layers of flavor that just scream holiday spirit. When you shop for these, fresh produce and a good-quality wine make all the difference.

Flat lay of fresh apple slices arranged neatly beside a bright whole navel orange and thin orange slices, a small cluster of plump fresh cranberries, a few vibrant green rosemary sprigs, whole cinnamon sticks laid in parallel, small white ceramic bowls containing golden honey and pale yellow lemon juice, a white ceramic bowl filled with amber unfiltered apple cider, and another white bowl holding deep red unsweetened cranberry juice, all placed symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Apple: Choose firm and crisp apples like Fuji or Gala, which hold up well in the sangria and add refreshing crunch.
Fresh or Frozen Cranberries: Fresh adds vibrancy and frozen helps chill the drink without watering it down.
Navel Orange: Adds juicy sweetness and essential oils from the peel, which deepen the flavor.
Fresh Rosemary Sprigs: These provide a piney, herbal aroma that feels perfectly wintry and festive.
Honey: A natural sweetener that dissolves smoothly and complements the fruit’s tartness.
Lemon Juice: Adds bright acidity to balance the sweetness and keep the sangria lively.
Cinnamon Sticks: A classic holiday spice that adds warmth and a subtle spicy backbone.
Apple Cider (Unfiltered): Unfiltered cider has more depth and a homey feel compared to clear versions, enriching the sangria.
Cranberry Juice (Unsweetened, 100%): Gives tartness and a rich color without extra sugars, so you control sweetness with honey.
Sweet Red Wine: Pick a fruity red like a Zinfandel or Merlot; it’s the base that brings everything together.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love how flexible this Festive Christmas Sangria Recipe is—you can easily tweak it to suit your taste or even dietary needs. Sometimes, I swap in a sparkling water for a lighter fizz or add a splash of brandy for an extra kick on cooler nights.

Variation: One year, I added pomegranate seeds instead of cranberries for a slightly sweeter touch, and my guests adored the twist!
Dietary Modification: Use agave or maple syrup instead of honey if you want it vegan-friendly.
Seasonal Switch-Up: Try adding pear slices or substituting orange slices with clementines for a citrusy punch.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Christmas Sangria Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Fruit and Gather Ingredients

Start by washing your fruits thoroughly. Slice the apples and oranges evenly, so every glass gets a little bit of that fresh bite. The cranberries add a great pop of texture and color. I like to keep the rosemary sprigs and cinnamon sticks ready to go—they add such a festive flair.

Step 2: Combine Liquids and Sweeteners

Add your sweet red wine, unsweetened cranberry juice, and unfiltered apple cider to your mixing container. Then stir in the honey and fresh lemon juice. I recommend mixing the honey in before adding ice or chilling, so it dissolves properly and sweetens the sangria evenly.

Step 3: Mix, Garnish, and Chill

Pour your sliced fruits into the pitcher and give everything a gentle stir to combine. Nestle the rosemary sprigs and cinnamon sticks right on top—they look amazing and will infuse the sangria as it chills. Refrigerate it for at least an hour, though overnight is best if you can wait; the flavors deepen beautifully.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!

When you’re ready to enjoy, give the sangria a quick stir and scoop everything into glasses. Be sure to include some fruit to make it feel extra special. It’s festive, refreshing, and packed with holiday cheer in every sip.

Top Tip

After testing this Festive Christmas Sangria Recipe several times through the holidays, I learned a few things that really helped make it shine every time. These little tweaks save you from common pitfalls and guarantee a bright, flavorful punch your guests will rave about.

Sweetness Balance: Start with less honey than you think you need and adjust after chilling—the cold dulls sweetness a bit, but adding too much at first can throw off the balance.
Fruit Prep: Cut fruit into uniform slices so they infuse evenly, and remove any seeds to avoid bitterness.
Chill Time: Give it at least an hour in the fridge, but the best flavor develops if you let it rest overnight.
Spice Infusion: Use real cinnamon sticks—not ground cinnamon—for a cleaner, longer-lasting taste that infuses beautifully.

How to Serve Festive Christmas Sangria Recipe

Garnishes

I almost always add sprigs of fresh rosemary and a cinnamon stick to each glass as a garnish—it looks so pretty and gives every sip a subtle aroma that’s reminiscent of a holiday wreath. A few extra cranberries or a thin orange wheel on the rim add that extra festive touch, too.

Side Dishes

This sangria pairs wonderfully with cheesy appetizers like baked brie or spiced nuts. It also balances nicely with a charcuterie board, especially one that includes cured meats, olives, and crusty bread. It’s perfect for nibbling while everyone mingles!

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like serving this sangria in a large glass punch bowl with floating fruit and garnishes artfully placed on top. I’ve also filled glass mugs or stemless wine glasses with festive striped straws and miniature candy canes hooked on the rim—such an easy way to amp up the holiday spirit.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover sangria keeps brilliantly in the fridge for up to 3 days. I store it in the same pitcher or pour it into a sealable container. Before serving again, give it a gentle stir to mix the flavors that may have settled, and add a bit more fresh fruit if you want a bright burst.

Freezing

Freezing sangria isn’t my go-to since the fruit can get mushy and the texture changes a bit once thawed. However, if you want to try, pour it into ice cube trays and use them later in a glass of sparkling water for a refreshing non-alcoholic twist.

Reheating

Sangria is best served cold or at room temperature, so I don’t recommend reheating it. If you want a warm holiday beverage, consider making a mulled wine instead. But for this recipe, chilling it fresh always wins for flavor and enjoyment.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of wine in this sangria?

Absolutely! While a sweet red wine like Zinfandel or Merlot works best, you can experiment with a dry red or even a sparkling rosé to suit your taste. Just keep in mind the sweetness and fruitiness will change slightly.

How far in advance can I make this sangria?

You can prepare the Festive Christmas Sangria Recipe up to 24 hours ahead. In fact, letting it chill overnight helps the flavors meld and enhances the overall taste. Just keep it refrigerated.

What if I don’t have fresh rosemary or cinnamon sticks?

If you’re out of fresh rosemary, dried sprigs or a small amount of rosemary infused simple syrup can work, though fresh is best for aroma. As for cinnamon, ground cinnamon won’t infuse well in liquid; try to grab cinnamon sticks if possible, or add a pinch of ground cinnamon to individual glasses instead.

Can I make a non-alcoholic version of this Christmas sangria?

Yes! Swap the wine for additional unsweetened cranberry juice or sparkling grape juice and keep all the other ingredients the same. It’s a festive, delicious mocktail everyone will enjoy.

Final Thoughts

Making this Festive Christmas Sangria Recipe is one of those small rituals that bring a big smile to my face during the holidays. It’s simple, delicious, and full of heart—like holiday magic captured in a glass. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do and find it becomes a holiday staple in your home, too.