When it comes to finding the perfect Christmas Sangria for your holiday, this recipe has it all: bright colors, festive flavors, and just the right balance of sweet and spice. Forget overly complicated cocktails or drinks that don’t live up to the hype—this sangria is easy to make, stunning to serve, and guaranteed to be a hit. Whether you’re hosting a cozy family dinner or a wild holiday party, this is the drink you’ll want to have. You’ll see why this White Christmas Sangria is the holiday cocktail everyone will ask for year after year!
When I created this recipe, I wanted it to be everything you need in a holiday drink: simple to make, gorgeous to serve, and packed with flavors that feel warm and cozy, but still refreshing. The combo of sweet white wine, apple cider, and white cranberry juice give it that holiday-inspired taste, while the spiced rum and orange liqueur add just the right amount of warm spice.
After years of hosting and recipe testing, I’ve found that the best drinks are the ones that are as easy to prepare as they are impressive to serve. This sangria hits the sweet spot. The fresh fruit, cranberries, and pomegranate arils make it pretty to serve, and the fizzy ginger ale gives it that sparkle people love in a holiday drink. Plus, the make ahead option means one less thing to worry about when hosting.
If you want a holiday drink that’s simple, but still looks elegant that your guests will love (without spending hours on it), this White Christmas Sangria is the perfect choice. It’s a recipe you’ll turn to year after year.
Ingredients for the Best Christmas Sangria
- White Wine: Use a sweet wine like Moscato or Riesling for a smooth, fruity base. If you prefer something less sweet, Sauvignon Blanc or Pino Grigio works great too. The wine is the base of this sangria, so pick on you enjoy sipping.
- White Cranberry Juice: This gives it a light, refreshing taste while giving it that holiday flavor.
- Apple Cider: This brings a cozy, seasonal flavor by making it feel warm without overpowering everything else.
- Spiced Rum: A little bit of spiced rum gives it warmth and spice. That gives it that quintessential holiday flavor without being too strong.
- Orange Liqueur: Grand Mariner or Triple Sec adds a citrus sweetness that goes really great with the fruit.
- Simple Syrup: This is where the true sweetness comes from. You’ll customize how sweet you like it by adding more if needed.
- Ginger Ale (or Sprite): A bubbly finish that makes it feel extra special. Ginger ale gives it a hint of spice, while Sprite gives it a sweeter, more citrusy flavor. Pick your favorite!
- Apples: Use a sweet variety like Honeycrisp or Fuji for the best flavor. I also really like Cosmic apples if you can get your hands on them.
- Pear: Thin slices of pear add a light, fruity flavor. Try to be sure their are ripe.
- Cranberries: Fresh or frozen work in this and as they soak in the sangria, they’ll soak up the flavor as well.
- Oranges: Thin orange slices not only add bright color, but the citrus flavor as well.
- Pomegranate Arils: They add a pop of color and a tart sweet flavor when sipping them.
- Cinnamon Stick: A single cinnamon stick infuses the sangria with spice as it soaks.
- Rosemary (optional): A sprig of fresh rosemary is there for garnish to really get that holiday vibe going.
How to make Christmas Sangria with White Wine
Step 1: Prep the Fruit
Start by washing the fruit. Dice the apple into bite-sized pieces, thinly slice the pear, and cut the orange into thin rounds. If you’re using fresh cranberries, give them a quick rinse as well.
Step 2: Combine the Ingredients
In a large pitcher, add the diced apple, sliced pear, orange rounds, cranberries, and pomegranate arils. Toss in the cinnamon stick to infuse the sangria with spice.
Step 3: Add the Liquids
Pour in the white wine, white cranberry juice, apple cider, spiced rum, orange liqueur, and simple syrup. Stir everything together well, making sure the flavors are mixed well.
Step 4: Let it Chill
Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight if possible. This step is key to letting the flavors fully blend together, so don’t skip it!
Step 5: Make it Bubbly!
Just before serving, give the sangria a good stir and taste. Adjust the sweetness by adding more simple syrup if needed. Finally, pour in the ginger ale.
Step 6: Serve and Garnish
Pour the sangria into glasses, making sure to include some of the fresh fruit in each serving. Garnish each glass with a sprig of fresh rosemary for the festive look.
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Sangria
Creating the best sangria doesn’t require a lot of effort, but these tips will help you elevate your holiday drink to the next level.
Choose the right wine. Pick a wine you enjoy drinking on its own. Sweet options like Moscato or Riesling are perfect, but if you prefer a less sweet sangria, Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio will do the trick.
Adjust the sweetness. Simple syrup is your secret weapon. Start with the recommended amount and taste before serving. Add more if you like your sangria on the sweeter side.
Use fresh fruit. The combination of apples, pears, cranberries, oranges, and pomegranate doesn’t just taste amazing. It makes the sangria a pretty centerpiece for your holidays.
Keep it fizzy. Add the ginger ale or Sprite just before serving to preserve the carbonation and bubbles.
Top Tip
Make it the night before for the best flavor! Letting the sangria chill overnight allows the fruit to soak up the wine and spices, creating a deeper, richer flavor that makes every sip that much better.
How to store White Sangria
One of the best things about this Christmas Sangria recipe is how well it stores, making it perfect for prepping ahead or saving leftovers. Here’s how to keep it fresh:
Refrigerate: Transfer the sangria to an airtight pitcher or container if it’s not already in one. This helps keep the flavors from the rest of the fridge getting into it. Store the sangria with the fruit in it to let the flavors continue to develop.
How long does sangria last? Sangria tastes best when enjoyed within 1-2 days of making it, but it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. After that, the fruit may become too soft, and the flavors less appealing.
Be sure to refresh it before serving. If you’re serving it leftover, give it a good stir to mix the ingredients evenly and add some fresh ginger ale.
Frequently Asked Questions about Holiday Sangria
Absolutely! Replace the white wine with sparkling white grape juice, swap the spiced rum for a splash of apple juice, and use orange juice in place of the orange liqueur. You’ll still get a delicious, festive drink everyone can enjoy.
If white cranberry juice isn’t available, regular cranberry juice works as a substitute. Keep in mind it will slightly change the color and add a tangier flavor, but it’s just as tasty!
Yes, and it’s highly recommended! Prepare the sangria up to 24 hours in advance to let the flavors fully develop. Just add the ginger ale or Sprite right before serving for the freshest bubbles.
Fresh fruit is ideal for the best flavor and presentation, but frozen cranberries or pomegranate arils work perfectly as substitutes. They also help keep the sangria chilled!
Sweet wines like Moscato or Riesling are excellent choices. If you prefer a less sweet option, Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio are great alternatives.
What to serve with Christmas Sangria
This sangria really goes great with holiday favorites. Whether you want to pair it with appetizers like Cranberry Jalapeno Dip or Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread or with main courses like Whole Roasted Chicken, Brown Sugar Ham, or Oven Roasted Turkey Breast it will be a hit!
You could also serve it up alongside some Christmas desserts like Vanilla Fudge, Hot Cocoa Dip, or Eggnog Fudge.
More Christmas recipes you might like
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White Christmas Sangria Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 bottle sweet white wine such as Moscato or Riesling
- 1/2 cup white cranberry juice
- 1/2 cup apple cider
- 1/4 cup spiced rum
- 1/4 cup orange liqueur such as Grand Marnier or Triple Sec
- 1/4 cup simple syrup
- 1/2 cup ginger ale or Sprite
- 1 whole apple diced; use a sweet variety like Honeycrisp or Fuji
- 1 whole pear sliced thinly
- 1/2 cup fresh cranberries frozen works too
- 1 whole orange thinly sliced into rounds
- 1/4 cup pomegranate arils
- 1 whole cinnamon stick
- Fresh rosemary sprigs optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Dice the apple, slice the pear thinly, and cut the orange into thin rounds.1 whole apple, 1 whole pear, 1 whole orange
- In a large pitcher, add the diced apple, sliced pear, cranberries, orange slices, and pomegranate arils. Toss in the cinnamon stick.1 whole apple, 1 whole pear, 1/2 cup fresh cranberries, 1 whole orange, 1/4 cup pomegranate arils, 1 whole cinnamon stick
- Pour in the white wine, white cranberry juice, apple cider, spiced rum, orange liqueur, and simple syrup. Stir everything well to combine.1 bottle sweet white wine, 1/2 cup white cranberry juice, 1/2 cup apple cider, 1/4 cup spiced rum, 1/4 cup orange liqueur, 1/4 cup simple syrup
- Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight, to let the flavors blend.
- Before serving, give the sangria a good stir and taste it. If you’d like it sweeter, mix in a bit more simple syrup. Add the ginger ale or Sprite just before serving for a fizzy finish.1/2 cup ginger ale or Sprite
- Pour the sangria into glasses, making sure to include some of the fruit in each glass. Garnish each glass with a sprig of rosemary for a festive touch, if desired.Fresh rosemary sprigs
Video
Notes
- Wine Selection: For a sweeter sangria, use Moscato or Riesling. If you prefer a less sweet option, try Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
- Make-Ahead Tip: This sangria tastes even better when made the day before, allowing the flavors to fully meld. Add the ginger ale or Sprite just before serving.
- Simple Syrup Adjustment: Adjust the sweetness to your liking by adding more or less simple syrup. Start with the listed amount and taste before serving.
- Fruit Options: Feel free to swap the fruits based on what’s available. Granny Smith apples can be used for a tart twist, and frozen cranberries work just as well as fresh.
- Serving Idea: For an extra festive presentation, rim the glasses with sugar. Simply dip the rim in water or orange juice, then in granulated sugar, and let dry before filling.
- Alcohol-Free Version: Substitute the wine with sparkling white grape juice, and omit the spiced rum and orange liqueur. Use a splash of orange juice instead.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
