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a close up of two glasses of holiday sangria garnished with orange wheels and sprigs of rosemary in front of a pitcher of holiday sangria.
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5 from 3 votes

Holiday Sangria

Classic Spanish sangria gets a winter twist with this easy cocktail recipe! A bold red wine steeps with seasonal citrus, warming spices and aromatic rosemary for a cozy take on the classic. Make in a big pitcher for fuss-free entertaining this holiday season.
Prep Time5 minutes
Resting Time4 hours
Total Time4 hours 5 minutes
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Spanish
Servings: 8 cocktails
Author: Elana Lepkowski

Ingredients

  • 5 oranges (I like navel)
  • 1 lemon
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 3 rosemary sprigs, plus more for garnish
  • 1/2 cup Licor 43
  • Honey, to taste (optional)
  • 5 black peppercorns
  • 3 cloves
  • 1 (750ml) bottle red wine (I like Rioja)
  • Seasonal fruit, like sliced citrus, apples, cranberries, pomegranates, and grapes, for garnish

Instructions

  • Layer the citrus. Juice enough of the oranges to yield 1/2 cup juice (about 2-3), then slice the remaining oranges and lemon into 1/4-inch rounds. Layer the citrus slices in the bottom of a large pitcher, along with the cinnamon sticks and rosemary sprigs.
  • Sweeten. Pour in the orange juice, Licor 43, and honey (if using, about 1/4 cup for a sweeter drink).
  • Add the peppercorns and cloves. You can either place them loose into the pitcher or use a tea bag or cheesecloth tied tightly with kitchen twine to hold the spices.
  • Add the wine and rest. Pour in the red wine and give everything a stir to combine. Be careful to leave the citrus layers intact so they remain submerged. Cover tightly with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate to allow the spices to infuse the wine and the flavors to become more vibrant. Overnight is best, but you’ll want at least 4 hours or up to 2 days.
  • Serve. Pour the Sangria into ice-filled glasses and garnish with additional fruit slices and rosemary sprigs. Salud!

Notes

  • I like the boldness of a Spanish Rioja, along with its low acidity and notes of berries and spice. If you cannot find a Rioja wine near you, try a Priorat, Grenache, or any low acidity, full bodied red you like. 
  • If you’re serving a large crowd, use a large punch bowl and double the recipe. 
  • If your honey is hard to pour, warm it in the microwave until pourable. Working in 10 second bursts, it should need no more than 20 to 30 seconds total to loosen up.
  • Visit our shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including olive oils, honey, jams, and spices.

Nutrition

Calories: 159.7kcal | Carbohydrates: 14.2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.04g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 4.6mg | Potassium: 294.1mg | Fiber: 2.9g | Sugar: 8.6g | Vitamin A: 203.1IU | Vitamin C: 50.8mg | Calcium: 54.5mg | Iron: 0.7mg

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