When you want an easy, festive holiday cocktail, this Cranberry Sangria delivers. Bright cranberry flavor, fruity red wine, crisp apple and orange, and the warm warmth of cinnamon come together in a refreshing, crowd-pleasing pitcher. It’s simple to prepare and can be made entirely ahead of time—perfect for entertaining.
I love a good red wine on its own, but a well-made sangria feels celebratory and effortless. This cranberry version is a seasonal twist on the classic—packed with tart and sweet flavors and balanced by a touch of brandy for warmth.
The preparation is straightforward: slice the fruit, combine the ingredients in a large pitcher, and chill. Allow at least four hours for the flavors to meld, though overnight resting improves depth and balance.
It’s easy to adapt this recipe to your taste: adjust the level of sweetness, swap fruits, or top with sparkling water for a bubbly finish. The result is a festive, make-ahead drink that leaves you free to enjoy the gathering.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Fruity and refreshing, with seasonal cranberry flavor and warm cinnamon spice.
- Quick to prep—about 10 minutes—and ideal for making ahead of time for holiday entertaining.
- Highly customizable: change the fruit, swap juices, or make it sparkling when serving.
Recipe ingredients
These ingredients make a balanced, festive sangria. The recipe is forgiving—use similar fruits, juices, or liqueurs you already have on hand.
- Red wine. Choose a dry, fruity red such as Pinot Noir, Grenache, Tempranillo or Malbec. It should be pleasant to drink but doesn’t need to be high-end.
- Fruits. Apples, fresh cranberries and orange add color and texture. Persimmon, pear or pomegranate seeds are good alternatives.
- Brandy. A classic sangria addition for depth. Triple sec, Cointreau or Grand Marnier can be used if you prefer a citrus-forward note.
- Cranberry juice. This provides the signature cranberry flavor. If you use a sweeter cranberry juice, reduce added sugar. Pomegranate juice makes a nice substitute.
- Sweetener. Granulated sugar, maple syrup or honey can be used to taste, depending on how sweet your juice and wine are.
- Cinnamon sticks. They contribute warm spice that pairs beautifully with autumn fruit.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts.
How to make this recipe
Making cranberry sangria is quick and forgiving. Prep the fruit, combine everything, chill and serve. Follow the simple steps below and taste before serving to adjust sweetness.
Pro tip: Use a dry, fruity red wine—Pinot Noir, Grenache, Tempranillo or Malbec work well. Pick a bottle you enjoy drinking, but it doesn’t need to be expensive.
Full instructions are in the recipe card section.
- Slice the apple and one orange, place them in a large pitcher and muddle gently to release juices and aromas. Fresh cranberries are tart, so leave most whole for garnish rather than muddling.
- Juice the remaining orange (about 1/2 cup), then add the juice to the pitcher along with the cranberries, cranberry juice, brandy or orange liqueur, sugar (or sweetener of choice), cinnamon sticks and the bottle of red wine. Stir until combined.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. The flavors will intensify the longer the sangria rests.
- Before serving, stir, taste and add a little more sweetener if desired. Serve over ice and garnish with additional orange or apple slices, fresh cranberries and a cinnamon stick.
Recipe FAQs
Dry, fruity red wines like Pinot Noir, Grenache, Tempranillo or Malbec are excellent choices. Pick a wine that tastes good on its own but you don’t mind mixing—there’s no need for an expensive bottle.
If brandy isn’t available, use orange liqueurs such as Cointreau or Grand Marnier, or a triple sec for a lighter citrus note.
Stored covered in the refrigerator, this sangria keeps well for up to a week. Flavor may continue to develop, so taste before serving and adjust sweetness if needed.
Recipe notes
- Wine tip: Use a dry, fruity red that you enjoy drinking—no need to splurge on an expensive bottle.
- Check the sugar in your cranberry juice. If it’s high, you may not need to add extra sweetener.
- This sangria improves with time; make it a day or two ahead if you can.
- For a sparkling variation, top each glass with chilled sparkling water 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, leave a review below and tag the recipe creator on social media so they can see what you made.
Cranberry Sangria
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 (100% from concentrate recommended if you prefer less sugar)
- 1/4 cup brandy (or substitute Cointreau or Grand Marnier)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (or maple syrup/honey to taste)
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 bottle red wine (see notes)
Instructions
- Slice the apple and one orange. Place in a large pitcher and muddle gently to release juices.
- Juice the second orange (about 1/2 cup) and add to the pitcher with the cranberries, brandy or orange liqueur, cranberry juice, sugar, cinnamon sticks and red wine. Stir to combine.
- Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight. The longer it rests, the more the flavors meld.
- Before serving, stir and taste. Add more sweetener if needed and stir until dissolved. Serve over ice with fruit and cinnamon stick garnish.
Notes
- Wine suggestion: Choose a dry, fruity red such as Pinot Noir, Grenache, Tempranillo or Malbec. It should be drinkable but not necessarily expensive.
- Check the sugar level in your cranberry juice; if it’s high you may not need extra sugar.
- Make ahead: this sangria can be prepared a few days in advance for convenience and extra flavor.
- To make it sparkling, top with chilled sparkling water just before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is intended as a guideline only.
Note: This post was originally published in November 2018. Process photos and minor text improvements have been added for clarity and readability.