Cranberry sangria is a light and fruity cocktail that’s great for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or anytime during the holiday season! I use a red wine base and seasonal fruits to complement the tart cranberry juice, but this drink is super customizable and perfect for a crowd (or by the glass)!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Cranberry sangria is the perfect blend of festive flavor and easy sipping. It takes everything you love about classic sangria, like juicy fruit, wine, and a little sweetness, and it adds a tart cranberry twist that instantly makes it feel seasonal and refreshing!
It’s also incredibly customizable: you can choose your wine, adjust the sweetness, add fresh fruit, and even spike it with a splash of brandy or orange liqueur for extra depth.
Best of all, cranberry sangria is veritably made for entertaining! It’s a gorgeous red drink that looks like you put in way more effort than you did, no matter if you’re serving by the glass or the pitcher, and it only gets better as it chills and the flavors meld!
Whether it’s for the holidays, a fall get together, or a casual weekend hangout, it’s the kind of crowd-pleaser that practically serves itself, and tastes amazing doing it!
Katie’s tip
Prefer a white wine sangria? Check out my Red Lobster Copycat Snow Globe Sangria or White Christmas Sangria for some alternative options!
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Ingredients List
- 2 ounces red wine of choice
- 1 ounce triple sec (or another orange liqueur like Grand Marnier or Cointreau)
- 2 ounces cranberry juice
- ½ ounce orange juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup (or to taste)
- 6 fresh cranberries and 2-3 orange slices per glass (or other similar fruits)
For a Pitcher
- 750 mL bottle red wine
- 1 ½ cups triple sec
- 3 cups cranberry juice
- ¾ cup orange juice
- ½ cup simple syrup (or to taste)
- 2-3 whole oranges, sliced
- 12 ounce bag fresh cranberries
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- I’m using a red wine blend which I had leftover from my Halloween Sangria, but Pinot Noir, Merlot, or Cabernet Sauvignon are other good choices
- Instead of triple sec, you can also use brandy – apple or orange flavors are best
- I use 100% cranberry juice to balance sweetness. However, if you like a sweeter drink, you can use the cranberry juice cocktail version, which is sweetened
- For the orange juice, you can swap in apple juice or cider for different flavor options!
- Other good fruits include sliced apples, persimmons, pears, or other seasonal fruits
- Add a bubbly finish by adding some seltzer, club soda, or sparkling water (which can also help to cut strength if needed)!
Step By Step Instructions
- Add the red wine, cranberry and orange juice, triple sec, and simple syrup to a wine glass (or similar) and gently stir to combine
- Fill the glass with ice cubes, cranberries, and the orange slices
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick, star anise, or sprig of rosemary for a seasonal finish if desired, and enjoy!
Pitcher Directions
- Mix all ingredients including the fresh fruit (just not the ice) together in a pitcher. Store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours
- Fill individual wine glasses with ice and fresh fruit (or spoon in some of the soaked fruit) if desired, then pour the sangria mixture and serve!
Pairing Suggestions
Appetizers & Snacks
- Charcuterie boards – Salty prosciutto, brie, and sharp cheddar balance the sweet-tart sangria
- Goat cheese crostini – The tangy creaminess pairs perfectly with cranberry acidity
- Holiday nut mixes – Rosemary almonds or candied pecans complement the fruitiness
- Cranberry meatballs – Echoes the sangria’s flavors without overpowering it!
Main Dishes
- Roasted turkey or chicken – The wine and citrus cut through rich poultry. Try my Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Turkey Tenderloin!
- Pork tenderloin with herb rubs – Cranberry acidity pairs especially well with pork
- Baked ham – Sweet glaze + tart sangria = ideal holiday match
- Stuffed acorn squash – Earthy and slightly sweet, great with red-wine sangria
Cheeses
- Brie or Camembert – Soft, buttery cheeses complement the fruitiness. My Cranberry Baked Brie is always a great choice!
- Aged gouda – Caramel notes pair beautifully with cranberry and orange
- Blue cheese – The bold funk is balanced by sangria’s sweetness
Desserts
- Cranberry-orange bars – Mirrors the citrus-cranberry profile
- Apple crisp – Warm baking spices harmonize with the sangria’s cinnamon-friendly flavors. Make an easy Air Fryer Apple Crisp!
- Dark chocolate truffles – Rich, bittersweet chocolate contrasts with fruity brightness
Holiday Pairings
- Thanksgiving leftovers platter – Turkey, stuffing, and tart sangria were made for each other!
- Winter grazing table – Sugared cranberries, spiced nuts, rosemary crackers, and dried oranges
- Christmas cookies – Especially gingerbread or orange shortbread!
Recipe FAQs
Can You Use Cranberry Juice in Sangria?
Yes, cranberry juice works beautifully in sangria. Its tart, fruity flavor blends well with wine, citrus, and fresh fruit, making it perfect for fall and winter versions. It also adds a gorgeous deep-red color.
What Alcohol Goes With Cranberry Sangria?
Red wine is the classic base, but cranberry sangria also pairs well with triple sec, brandy, or vodka for extra depth. Each adds a different layer, like citrus from triple sec, warmth from brandy, or clean brightness from vodka.
Can I Make a Mocktail Version?
Absolutely. Swap the wine for a blend of cranberry juice, pomegranate juice, and sparkling water or nonalcoholic red wine. Use extra orange juice instead of triple sec, or a non-alcoholic triple sec syrup. Add plenty of fruit slices so it still feels festive and “sangria-like.”
Is Sangria Better the Longer You Let It Sit?
Yes, sangria improves as it chills because the fruit and juice infuse into the alcohol. About 2–4 hours is ideal, though overnight works for an even deeper flavor. Just add any carbonated mixers right before serving to keep the bubbles fresh!
Tips For the Best Cranberry Sangria
- You can absolutely add some vodka (plain, citron, or cranberry) if desired to make the drink stronger, or dilute with extra cranberry juice or some unsweetened sparkling water to reduce strength
- The sweetness largely depends on personal preferences and the wine you choose for the base. Always start low with the simple syrup (or other sweetener of choice), and add more to taste!
Serving and Presentation
- Use a clear pitcher. The deep red color of cranberry sangria is one of its biggest visual wins; show it off with a glass or clear acrylic large pitcher!
- Chill thoroughly. Serve the sangria ice-cold. If you’re prepping ahead, keep the pitcher in the fridge for at least a few hours and add ice only when serving so it doesn’t dilute
- Use frozen cranberries as ice! They keep the drink cold without watering it down and look stunning in the glass
- Serve in stemless wine glasses or mason jars. These feel casual but still polished, and the wide opening showcases the fruit!
- Cranberry Cobbler Cocktail
- Blood Orange Cranberry Mojito
Final Thoughts
This easy cranberry sangria recipe is the perfect holiday cocktail, spanning seamlessly from Thanksgiving through Christmas and anywhere in between! It packs a ton of flavor, is easy to make ahead, endlessly customizable, and super sippable too.
Whether you’re making a glass for yourself or throwing in the whole wine bottle for a party-sized pitcher, this drink is the perfect balance of tart and sweet flavors, easy to make, and a great festive drink for your guests.
Katie’s tip
Looking for more seasonal recipes? Check out my collection of Cranberry Vodka Drinks for more inspiration!
Easy Cranberry Sangria
Equipment
- Stemless wine glass (or similar)
Ingredients
- 2 ounces red wine
- 1 ounce triple sec (or another orange liqueur)
- 2 ounces 100% unsweetened cranberry juice
- ½ ounce orange juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup (or to taste)
- 6 fresh cranberries and 2-3 orange slices per glass
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Add all ingredients aside from ice and fruit to a wine glass (or similar) and gently stir to combine2 ounces red wine, 1 ounce triple sec, 2 ounces 100% unsweetened cranberry juice, ½ ounce simple syrup, ½ ounce orange juice
- Fill the glass with ice cubes, cranberries, and the orange slices6 fresh cranberries and 2-3 orange slices per glass, Ice cubes
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick, star anise, or sprig of rosemary for a seasonal finish if you like, and enjoy!
Notes
- I use a red wine blend, but Pinot Noir, Merlot, or Cabernet Sauvignon are other good choices
- Instead of triple sec, you can also use brandy – apple or orange flavors are best
- I use 100% cranberry juice to balance sweetness. However, if you like a very sweet drink, you can use the cranberry juice cocktail version, which is sweetened
- For the orange juice, you can swap in apple juice or cider for different flavor options!
- Other good fruits include sliced apples, persimmons, pears, or similar seasonal fruits
- See my full article above for pitcher proportions and directions for batching
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any garnishes and fruits added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
