When you’re searching for a simple, festive holiday cocktail, this Cranberry Sangria delivers on flavor and ease. Bright cranberry juice and fresh fruit meet a fruity red wine and warm cinnamon for a seasonal drink that can be made ahead—perfect for entertaining.
I love a good red wine, and a sangria is one of the easiest ways to elevate a bottle into a festive drink. This Cranberry Sangria brings holiday character with fresh cranberries, sliced apples and orange, cranberry juice, a splash of brandy, and cinnamon sticks for warmth.
The recipe is straightforward: slice the fruit, combine everything in a pitcher, and chill. It needs only minutes to assemble and a few hours to meld, so it’s ideal for holiday gatherings when you want to prepare ahead and spend time with guests.
If you enjoy cranberries you can adapt this sangria by swapping or adding fruits such as pear, persimmon, or pomegranate seeds.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Fruity and refreshing with seasonal flavors—cranberry, apple, and orange with a hint of cinnamon.
- Quick to prep (about 10 minutes) and can be made entirely in advance for stress-free entertaining.
- Flexible—swap or add fruits and adjust sweetness to your taste.
Recipe ingredients
This cranberry sangria uses a handful of ingredients and is very forgiving. Use a dry, fruity red wine and adjust the sweetness based on your cranberry juice and personal preference.
- Red wine: A dry, fruity red such as Pinot Noir, Grenache, Tempranillo, or Malbec works well. Choose a drinkable bottle—no need for the most expensive option.
- Fruits: Apples, fresh cranberries and oranges are used here. Fresh cranberries add color and texture; other fruits (pear, persimmon, pomegranate) also work.
- Brandy: A classic sangria addition. Triple sec, Cointreau, or Grand Marnier can be used as alternatives.
- Cranberry juice: Provides the cranberry flavor. Check sugar content and adjust added sweetener accordingly; pomegranate juice is an alternative.
- Sweetener: Granulated sugar, maple syrup or honey to taste.
- Cinnamon sticks: Add warm spice and depth that pairs nicely with fall fruits.
See the recipe card below for exact quantities.
How to make this recipe
This cranberry sangria is very simple to prepare. The basic steps are prepping the fruit, combining ingredients, and chilling to allow flavors to meld.
Pro tip: Use a dry, fruity red wine that you enjoy drinking. The wine will blend with the other flavors, so no need for an expensive bottle.
Full instructions are provided in the recipe card below.
- Slice the apple and one of the oranges. Place them in a large pitcher and muddle gently to release juices and flavor.
- Juice the remaining orange (about 1/2 cup), then add the orange juice to the pitcher with the fresh cranberries, cranberry juice, brandy, sweetener (granulated sugar, maple syrup or honey), cinnamon sticks, and the bottle of red wine. Stir until combined.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. The longer it rests, the more the flavors will meld.
- Before serving, stir and taste; adjust sweetness if needed. Serve over ice and garnish with extra orange or apple slices, fresh cranberries, and a cinnamon stick if desired.
Recipe FAQs
Choose a dry, fruity red such as Pinot Noir, Grenache, Tempranillo, or Malbec. It should be pleasant to drink but not necessarily expensive.
If you don’t have brandy, use triple sec, Cointreau, or Grand Marnier for a similar orange-liqueur note.
When covered and refrigerated, this sangria will keep for up to one week, though it’s best within a few days.
Recipe notes
- Wine choice: A dry, fruity red that you enjoy is ideal—no need for an expensive bottle.
- Sweetness: Check the sugar content of your cranberry juice. If it’s quite sweet, you may need little to no added sugar.
- Make-ahead: This sangria improves with time and can be made a day or two ahead.
- Sparkling option: For a bubbly version, top individual glasses with sparkling water or club soda just before serving.
More cocktail recipes you’ll love:
- Fresh pineapple piña colada
- Poinsettia cocktail
- Strawberry lemon drop
- Easy vodka spritzers
Did you try this recipe? If so, please leave a review below and tag @flavorthemoments on social media so I can see your version.
Cranberry Sangria
A refreshing holiday sangria with fruity red wine, cranberry juice, fresh fruit, and warm cinnamon—perfect for entertaining.
Servings: 6
Prep Time: 10 mins | Additional Time: 4 hrs | Total Time: 4 hrs 10 mins
Ingredients
- 2 large oranges, divided
- 1 apple, plus extra slices for serving if desired
- 1 cup fresh cranberries, plus more for serving
- 1 cup cranberry juice (check sugar content)
- 1/4 cup brandy (or substitute Cointreau/Grand Marnier)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (or maple syrup/honey to taste)
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 bottle red wine (dry, fruity)
Instructions
- Slice the apple and one orange. Place in a large pitcher and muddle to release juices.
- Juice the remaining orange (about 1/2 cup) and add to the pitcher with cranberries, cranberry juice, brandy, sugar, cinnamon sticks, and red wine. Stir to combine.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow flavors to meld.
- Before serving, stir and taste; add more sweetener if needed. Serve over ice with fruit and cinnamon stick garnishes.
Notes
- Choose a drinkable, dry red wine for best flavor.
- Adjust sweetness based on the sugar in your cranberry juice.
- This sangria improves if made ahead and chilled overnight.
- Top with sparkling water for a bubbly version.
Nutrition (estimated per serving)
Calories: ~236 kcal | Carbohydrates: ~31 g | Protein: ~1 g | Fat: ~1 g | Sugar: ~24 g
This post was originally published in November 2018. The text and photos have been updated for clarity and readability.