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Festive Cranberry Pomegranate Sangria: Best Holiday Recipe

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This festive cranberry pomegranate sangria is the ultimate holiday party drink—easy to make, packed with tart and sweet flavors, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Simply combine red wine, cranberry and pomegranate juices, fresh fruit, and warm spices, then let it chill for a few hours to meld the flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine (Merlot, Zinfandel, or Tempranillo)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) 100% cranberry juice (not cocktail)
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) pomegranate juice
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) fresh orange juice
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) maple syrup or honey
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) brandy or orange liqueur (optional)
  • 1 cup (about 120 g) fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1 cup (about 170 g) pomegranate arils
  • 1 large orange, thinly sliced
  • 1 large apple (Honeycrisp or Fuji), thinly sliced
  • 2–3 cinnamon sticks
  • 3–4 whole cloves
  • 1–2 star anise pods (optional)
  • Ice or sparkling water for serving

Instructions

  1. Prep your fruit. Wash the cranberries and pick out any soft or bruised ones. Slice the orange into thin rounds, about 1/4-inch thick. Core the apple and slice it into thin half-moons. If using a whole pomegranate, score the skin around the middle, break it open underwater, and gently pry out the arils. Drain and pat dry.
  2. Combine the liquids. In a large pitcher (at least 2 quarts), pour in the entire bottle of red wine. Add the cranberry juice, pomegranate juice, fresh orange juice, and maple syrup. If using brandy or orange liqueur, add it now. Stir until the maple syrup is fully dissolved. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
  3. Add the fruit and spices. Drop in the fresh cranberries, pomegranate arils, orange slices, and apple slices. Tuck the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and star anise pods into the pitcher, making sure they are submerged. Give everything one more gentle stir.
  4. Chill and meld. Cover the pitcher with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but overnight is best (up to 48 hours). The longer it sits, the more the fruit infuses into the wine.
  5. Serve. Give the sangria a gentle stir. Fill glasses with ice and pour the sangria over the top, making sure to include some of the fruit in each glass. Garnish with a fresh cinnamon stick or a sprig of rosemary if desired.

Notes

For best results, let the sangria chill for 12-24 hours. Use a wine you’d actually drink—avoid cheap or overly oaky wines. Adjust sweetness to taste. If using frozen cranberries, no need to thaw; they’ll help keep the sangria cold. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: sangria, cranberry, pomegranate, holiday, Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year's Eve, party drink, red wine sangria

Find it online: https://eliplate.com/festive-cranberry-pomegranate-sangria-best-holiday-recipe/