This super easy Christmas Sangria is the perfect spiced holiday cocktail, with all the great flavor and easy prep of a regular Sangria. Just grab a bottle of spicy red wine, some orange juice, soda water, and your Christmas spices.
In Sweden Christmas time means a lot of Glögg - a hot, spiced, wine sort of like the German Glühwein but often quite a bit stronger. So it should came as no surprise that when it comes to Christmas cocktails - I like them a bit spicy...
This Christmas Sangria is not at all as strong as a good Glögg. But it's delicious, it's spicy, and it has wine. So I think we're all on board either way.
Why you will love this recipe
- It's quick - a few minutes of prep and then just let it infuse for 30 minutes
- It's easy - pour, mix, and prep the oranges with cloves
- It's lower in alcohol than many cocktails
- It's perfect to prep ahead - just top with soda water just before serving
- It's not too sweet - but read on for options to make it sweeter
- It's delicious - the Christmas version of your favorite summer drink
What you need to make it
Ingredient notes & substitutions
- Red wine can really be any kind you like, but I prefer a full, spicy version like a Côtes du Rhône
- Orange juice should be without pulp. I used a store bought juice without added sugar, but it's even better with fresh pressed. Use a juice with added sugar for a sweeter Sangria.
- Orange juice and soda water can be swapped for an orange flavored soda, for a sweeter version
- Cloves and cinnamon can be skipped, for a regular Sangria
- Ice can skipped if you use cold ingredients instead
How to make it
You can make Christmas Sangria in individual glasses like I show below, but it's also perfect to make in a jug or punch bowl. Keep it fresh by adding ice and soda water to the individual glasses just before serving.
Adjust the number of servings in the recipe card to get the right amount.
- Stick cloves into the rind of two orange wedges, and cut one of them in 3 pieces. Place the pieces in a wine glass together with a cinnamon stick and keep the other wedge for later.
- Pour in red wine
- Pour in orange juice. Mix and allow to sit for at least 30 minutes.
- Just before serving, add an ice cube
- Mix to cool the drink
- Top with soda water and decorate with the other orange wedge
Tips & tricks
- Prep ahead by mixing red wine, orange juice and the spices in a jug or punch bowl, then add soda water and ice straight into the glasses when serving
- Make it sweeter by swapping orange juice & soda water for an orange flavored soda
- Make it a regular sangria - just skip the cinnamon sticks and cloves
- Prep a whole orange with cloves, and then cut - especially if your making multiple Christmas Sangrias. It's easier than trying to stick them into wedges.
Recipe FAQ
The best way to keep sangria cold is to either keep it in the fridge, or to add ice cubes or frozen grapes just when serving. This way every glass will be served ice cold.
You can keep this Christmas Sangria in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The spices will keep infusing so you will get more and more cinnamon and clove flavor as you go. You can also remove the orange wedges with cloves and the cinnamon sticks before storing.
You can make this Christmas Sangria without alcohol by choosing a non-alcoholic red wine. Try to find one that's a bit drier, as they are often pretty sweet. The end result is still tasty, either way!
More easy cocktail recipes
Love easy cocktail recipes, like this Christmas Sangria? Then I think you will love these!
- Cranberry Champagne Cocktail
- Clementine Campari Spritz
- 3-2-1 Aperol Spritz Cocktail
- Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail
Did you love this recipe? Rate it five stars!
...and let me know what you loved about it in the comments.
Recipe
Christmas Sangria
Print RateIngredients
- 2 orange wedges half in sangria, half to decorate
- 10 whole cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 ounces spicy red wine for example a Côtes du Rhône
- 3 ounces orange juice without pulp and added sugar
- 1.5 ounces soda water
- ice
Instructions
Prep - 5 minutes
- Start by prepping the clove-infused orange by sticking the cloves into the skin of the orange wedge.
- Place the clove-infused orange wedge and cinnamon stick in a wine glass and pour in red wine and orange juice. Mix, then allow to infuse for at least 30 minutes.
Serving - 1 minute
- Add an ice cube and top up with soda water. Decorate the glass with an orange wedge with cloves, and serve!
Equipment (may contain affiliate links)
Notes
Ingredient notes & substitutions
- Red wine can really be any kind you like, but I prefer a full, spicy version like a Côtes du Rhône
- Orange juice should be without pulp. I used a store bought juice without added sugar, but it's even better with fresh pressed. Use a juice with added sugar for a sweeter Sangria.
- Orange juice and soda water can be swapped for an orange flavored soda, for a sweeter version
- Ice can skipped if you use cold ingredients instead
Tips & tricks
- Prep ahead by mixing red wine, orange juice and the spices in a jug or punch bowl, then add soda water and ice straight into the glasses when serving
- Make it into a regular sangria - just skip the cinnamon sticks and cloves
- Prep a whole orange with cloves, and then cut - especially if your making multiple Christmas Sangrias. It's easier than trying to stick them into wedges.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
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