White Christmas Sangria

This festive Christmas Sangria blends sparkling wine, white cranberry juice, and fresh fruits to create a holiday drink that’s as beautiful as it is delicious!

pitcher of holiday white sangria, with a full glass

Christmas Sangria

During my bartending days, one of the drinks I liked most to make was sangria. One, it’s easy! Two, it’s such a pretty drink, with lots of fresh fruits. And three, it’s delicious and guests always loved it!

This Christmas Sangria Recipe takes the classic brunch cocktail and puts a festive spin on it with sparkling wine and white cranberry juice. The fresh cranberry and rosemary sprigs are beautiful finishing touches that really make this drink look like Christmas in a glass. This might just be the prettiest holiday drink I’ve ever shared on the blog!

Think of this holiday sangria like a grown-up punch recipe! It’s fruity, bubbly, and a whole lot of fun!

What is Sangria?

Sangria is a wine-based mixed drink that features a variety of fresh fruits soaked in the cocktail. It originated in Spain and Portugal, but this iconic wine cocktail has become popular worldwide. It’s also a drink that is fun to customize and try using different fruits and mixers!

A traditional sangria has five main components:

  • Wine
  • At least one type of liquor or spirit
  • A mixer, such as juice or soda
  • Sweetener (sometimes the juice IS the sweetener)
  • A variety of fresh fruits

While a classic sangria often uses red wine and brandy, we decided to lighten things up a bit with white cranberry juice and sparkling wine. It’s definitely still a true sangria, but it’s a delicious new flavor combination! (And you don’t have to worry about accidentally spilling or staining!)

glass of Christmas sangria, with cranberries and apples cut into stars

Ingredients

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  • 1 Cup Vodka
  • 1 Bottle Sparkling Wine (750ml)
  • 3 Cups White Cranberry Juice

Garnishes

  • 1 Apple (Sliced)
  • Fresh Cranberries
  • 1 Lime (Sliced)
  • Fresh Rosemary Sprigs

Bartenderโ€™s Tools Used

 

Christmas sangria ingredients, with text labels

Instructions

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Total Time: 15 Minutes

  1. Add a cup of ice to the bottom of a large pitcher.
  2. Slice the lime and the apple and place the fruit into the pitcher with the ice. Add a cup of fresh cranberries.
  3. Add one cup of vodka and pour in the entire bottle of sparkling wine, slowly so it doesn’t overflow.
  4. Stir gently, then fill the rest of the pitcher with white cranberry juice.

Garnish each glass with a sprig of rosemary and a holiday themed straw.

Non-Alcoholic Holiday Sangria Recipe

This recipe is easy to make family-friendly, with a couple simple swaps. Instead of sparkling wine, use ginger ale for your bubbles. And of course, omit the vodka. Club soda could also be a source of bubbles, if you prefer a less sweet drink.

adding sliced fruit to a glass pitcher to make sangria pouring sparkling wine into a pitcher

Prep Tips

  • We sliced our apples to look like stars, which does take a little time. Alternatively, you can simply slice apples the regular way and save time.
  • We used white cranberry juice because the light color allows the fresh fruits and especially the cranberries to pop. However, you can also make this recipe with regular red cranberry juice instead.
  • The fresh rosemary isn’t mixed into the drink, but rather we used it to give the drink a festive touch. Doesn’t a sprig of fresh rosemary remind you of a pine tree branch?
  • If you like a sweeter drink, you can omit the vodka or add 1/4 cup simple syrup…or both!
  • Switch up the flavors by trying different fruits or garnishes. Fresh pears, orange slices, or pomegranate seeds would also be fantastic and I love a cinnamon stick garnish for holiday drinks.

holiday sangria made with sparkling wine, in glass and pitcher

Frequently Asked Questions

How Far In Advance Can You Make Sangria?

Sangria is a great recipe for the holidays because you can prepare it a day or two in advance. As the fruit soaks in the liquor and juice, it will absorb more of the flavors.

With this particular sparkling sangria recipe, if you want to make it ahead of time, I recommend waiting to add the champagne until right when you’re ready to serve so it doesn’t go flat. You can mix all of the other ingredients and chill the pitcher in the fridge, then add the wine at party time.

What Is The Best Wine To Use?

We used sparkling wine in this drink recipe, which could mean anything from champagne to cava. You’re welcome to use your favorite type of sparkling wine type and you’re welcome to choose the sweetness that you prefer too.

If you don’t care for sparkling wine or don’t have any on hand, you can substitute with white wine. Here are some of my recommendations:

  • Pinot Grigio is a nice mild white wine that blends well in cocktails.
  • Sauvignon Blanc could also work, as the herbal notes will complement the sweet fruit flavors.
  • Chardonnay is a richly bodied wine that is always a crowd pleaser. In this recipe, I’d recommend choosing a non-buttery chardonnay with no oak aging.
  • A sweet Riesling would provide the sweetness for the drink, without the need to add simple syrup or any other sweeteners.

More Holiday Cocktail Recipes To Try

 

White Christmas Sangria Recipe (Printable Recipe Card)

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Christmas Sangria

This festiveย Christmas Sangriaย blends sparkling wine, white cranberry juice, and fresh fruits to create a holiday drink that's as beautiful as it is delicious!
Prep Time15 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American, Spanish
Keyword: cocktail, sparkling wine, wine
Servings: 8
Calories: 179kcal
Author: Stacey aka the Soccer Mom
Cost: $20

Equipment

  • Large Pitcher

Ingredients

  • 1 Cup Vodka
  • 750 ml Champagne 1 Bottle
  • 3 Cups White Cranberry Juice
  • 1 Apple Sliced
  • 1 cup Fresh Cranberries
  • 1 Lime Sliced
  • Fresh Rosemary for garnish

Instructions

  • Add a cup of ice to the bottom of a large pitcher.
  • Slice the lime and the apple and place the fruit into the pitcher with the ice. Add a cup of fresh cranberries.
    adding sliced fruit to a glass pitcher to make sangria
  • Add one cup of vodka and pour in the entire bottle of sparkling wine, slowly so it doesn't overflow.
    pouring sparkling wine into a pitcher
  • Stir gently, then fill the rest of the pitcher with white cranberry juice.

Notes

Nutritional values are an estimate only.
Recipe intended for readers 21+ย 

Nutrition

Calories: 179kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 199mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 67IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg

 

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Stacey aka the Soccer Mom
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