Cranberry Apple Sangria is a gorgeous, seasonal twist on the classic Spanish wine punch that combines crisp white wine with tart cranberry juice, sweet apple cider, and fresh fruit. This festive beverage features vibrant red cranberries and crisp apple slices floating in a ruby-colored mixture that’s perfect for fall and winter celebrations. The addition of cinnamon sticks and fresh rosemary adds warming spice and aromatic depth, while a splash of brandy and orange liqueur gives it complexity and kick. Easy to make in large batches and even better when made ahead so the flavors can meld, this sangria is perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas parties, holiday gatherings, or any time you want a crowd-pleasing drink that looks as beautiful as it tastes. It’s refreshing yet cozy, fruity yet sophisticated, and guaranteed to get everyone in a festive mood.
Serving Quantity: 8 servings
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes (including chilling time)
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle (750ml) white wine (Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc)
- 2 cups cranberry juice (unsweetened or lightly sweetened)
- 2 cups apple cider
- Half cup brandy
- Quarter cup orange liqueur (such as Cointreau or Triple Sec)
- Quarter cup honey or maple syrup
- 2 medium apples (sliced)
- 1 and a half cups fresh cranberries
- 1 orange (sliced)
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 4 whole star anise (optional)
- 2 cups club soda or ginger ale (for serving)
- Ice cubes
- Extra fruit and rosemary (for garnish)
Nutrition Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 215
- Protein: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fat: 0g
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fiber: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Vitamin C: 28mg
- Potassium: 195mg
1. Choose and Prepare Your Wine
Select a crisp, dry white wine like Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or unoaked Chardonnay. These wines have enough acidity to balance the sweet fruit juices without being too fruity themselves. The wine doesn’t need to be expensive, but avoid bottom-shelf options that taste harsh. A mid-range bottle works perfectly for sangria. Chill the wine in the refrigerator before starting if it’s not already cold. Cold wine makes better sangria and reduces the chilling time needed before serving.
2. Prepare the Fresh Fruit
Wash the apples thoroughly and slice them into thin rounds or wedges, about a quarter inch thick. Remove any seeds but leave the skin on for color and texture. Choose crisp apples like Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Gala that hold their shape in liquid. Slice the orange into thin rounds, removing any seeds. The orange adds citrus brightness and looks beautiful in the pitcher. Rinse the fresh cranberries, discarding any soft or shriveled ones. The cranberries will soften slightly as they sit in the sangria and release their tart flavor and gorgeous color.
3. Combine the Liquid Base
In a large pitcher or beverage dispenser, pour the entire bottle of white wine. Add the cranberry juice, apple cider, brandy, and orange liqueur. The combination of wine, juice, and spirits creates layers of flavor that make sangria so complex and interesting. Add the honey or maple syrup and stir well until it dissolves completely. The sweetener balances the tartness of the cranberry juice and adds body to the sangria. Taste and adjust the sweetness if needed. Some people prefer less sweet sangria while others like it more dessert-like.
4. Add Fruit and Aromatics
Add all the sliced apples, fresh cranberries, and orange slices to the pitcher. Drop in the cinnamon sticks, fresh rosemary sprigs, and star anise if using. Use a long spoon to stir everything together gently, making sure the fruit is submerged in the liquid. The fruit will macerate and release its flavors into the wine mixture while absorbing the wine, creating delicious boozy fruit that’s almost as good as the drink itself. The aromatics add warming spice and herbal notes that make this sangria perfect for cooler weather.
5. Refrigerate and Let Flavors Meld
Cover the pitcher with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight. This chilling time is crucial as it allows all the flavors to marry together and the fruit to infuse the liquid. The longer it sits, the better it tastes. Overnight is ideal because the fruit has time to really soften and release its juices, creating a more cohesive, flavorful sangria. The cinnamon and rosemary also need time to infuse their aromatic qualities. Stir once or twice during the chilling time to redistribute the fruit.
6. Add Sparkle Before Serving
When ready to serve, remove the pitcher from the refrigerator and give it a good stir. Taste and adjust the sweetness or add a splash more brandy if desired. Just before serving, add the club soda or ginger ale. This adds effervescence and lightens the sangria, making it more refreshing. Club soda keeps it less sweet while ginger ale adds extra sweetness and spice. Add the sparkling element right before serving rather than hours ahead, or it will go flat. Stir very gently to incorporate without losing all the bubbles.
7. Serve Over Ice with Fruit
Fill wine glasses or highball glasses with ice cubes. Ladle the sangria into each glass, making sure everyone gets some of the macerated fruit in their serving. The fruit is part of the experience and adds visual appeal. Use a slotted spoon to scoop out fruit pieces and distribute them evenly among the glasses. Garnish each glass with a fresh apple slice, a few cranberries, and a small sprig of rosemary. The garnish makes each glass look festive and special. Serve with a spoon so guests can enjoy the boozy fruit at the bottom of their glass.
Tips for Perfect Cranberry Apple Sangria
Make this sangria at least 4 hours ahead, but overnight is even better. The extended maceration time creates deeper, more complex flavors as the fruit and wine mingle.
Use fresh apple cider rather than apple juice for authentic fall flavor. Fresh cider has a deeper, more complex apple taste. Look for it in the refrigerated section during fall and winter.
Choose a dry or off-dry white wine rather than sweet wine. The juice and sweetener add plenty of sugar, so starting with sweet wine makes it cloying.
Red wine can replace white wine for a different flavor profile. Use a fruity red like Merlot or Pinot Noir for red cranberry apple sangria with deeper color.
Frozen cranberries work if fresh aren’t available. They’ll thaw in the sangria and work just as well. Don’t thaw them first, just add frozen.
For a less boozy version, reduce the brandy to a quarter cup or omit entirely. The sangria will be lighter but still delicious and perfect for daytime gatherings.
Triple Sec, Cointreau, or Grand Marnier all work as the orange liqueur. Each brings slightly different levels of sweetness and orange intensity.
Make it non-alcoholic by replacing wine with white grape juice and omitting the brandy and liqueur. Use sparkling cider instead of regular cider for bubbles.
Add pomegranate seeds for extra jewel-like garnish and a burst of sweet-tart flavor. They look stunning and add texture.
Sweeten to taste based on your cranberry juice. If using unsweetened cranberry juice, you may need extra honey. Sweetened cranberry juice requires less.
The fruit becomes delicious after soaking in the sangria. Serve the boozy fruit as a dessert over vanilla ice cream or pound cake.
Make individual servings by portioning into mason jars with lids. These travel well to potlucks and parties and look charming.
Fresh or frozen cranberries can be sugared for extra sparkle. Roll in simple syrup then sugar and let dry before adding to glasses.
Muddle a few cranberries and apple slices in the bottom of the pitcher before adding liquid for even more intense fruit flavor.
This sangria pairs beautifully with cheese boards, roasted nuts, holiday appetizers, or Thanksgiving dinner. The acidity cuts through rich foods.
Keep the pitcher chilled by adding frozen cranberries or frozen apple slices instead of ice cubes. They won’t dilute the sangria as they thaw.
For a spiced version, add a few cloves or allspice berries along with the cinnamon for deeper warming spice notes.
Serve in a large drink dispenser with a spigot for parties. It looks beautiful and makes self-service easy for guests.
Store leftover sangria covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The fruit will be very soft but the drink remains delicious.
Add a splash of vanilla extract for subtle warmth that complements the cinnamon and apple flavors beautifully. Start with half a teaspoon.
