Harvest Cranberry Sangria

This Harvest Cranberry Sangria is the ultimate make-ahead cocktail for entertaining, and it captures everything good about fall and winter in one pitcher. The cranberry liqueur adds depth and tartness that regular sangria lacks, while apple cider adds body and a hint of sweetness without making it cloying. This isn’t a summer fruit punch – it’s a sophisticated sipper that pairs beautifully with holiday meals and keeps guests happy without you having to play bartender all evening.

The best part about sangria is that it actually needs time to sit and chill, which means you can knock it out hours before anyone arrives. The fruit soaks up the wine and spirits while everything melds together into something greater than the sum of its parts. Make this in the morning for an evening gathering, or the night before if you want one less thing to think about on party day. Serve it over ice in wine glasses with some of that boozy fruit in each glass, and watch it disappear faster than you’d expect for a drink that serves eight people.

Ingredients in Harvest Cranberry Sangria

Classic sangria ingredients, with a holiday twist, are central in this Harvest Cranberry Sangria.

Red wine – Use a dry red that you’d enjoy drinking on its own. Spanish wines work beautifully, but any dry red from California or South America is fine. Skip expensive bottles since you’re adding so many flavors.

Apple cider – The unfiltered, brown kind from the produce section, not the clear apple juice. It has more depth and body.

Cranberry liqueur – Our homemade version is perfect for this, especially if you add a cinnamon stick when infusing. Store-bought versions work just as well.

Brandy – Any brandy works. Spanish brandy is traditional in sangria, but domestic brands are more affordable and work just fine.

Fresh fruit – Use what looks good and is in season. The recipe calls for orange and apple, but pears, cranberries, or even pomegranate seeds would be lovely additions.

Cinnamon stick – Adds warm spice notes. If you don’t have whole sticks, a small pinch of ground cinnamon will work, though it will slightly cloud the sangria.

Homemade Cranberry Liqueur

Depending on how soon you need it, you can make your own cranberry liqueur. It’s super simple to make; you just need four weeks for the flavor to meld. Here’s the recipe we use for our Cranberry Liqueur. And not for nothing, bottles of it make great holiday gifts!

Make Cranberry Sangria Ahead of Time

One of the best things about sangria is that it improves when made ahead, making it ideal for entertaining when you want to enjoy your guests rather than mix drinks all night. The wine, spirits, and fruit need time together for the flavors to marry and develop that signature sangria taste.

The minimum time you should let sangria sit is two hours. This gives the fruit time to release its juices and the alcohol time to mellow with the other ingredients. You’ll notice the difference between freshly mixed sangria and one that’s had a few hours to rest – the flavors become more cohesive and balanced.

The sweet spot for making this Harvest Cranberry Sangria is 4 to 12 hours before you plan to serve it. If you’re having an evening party, making it in the morning works perfectly. If you’re hosting a lunch or brunch, making it the night before is ideal. This timing gives you the best flavor development without any of the drawbacks of leaving it too long.

You can push it to 24 hours if needed, and it will still be delicious. Beyond that, up to 48 hours is the maximum before the fruit starts to break down too much and the flavors begin to muddy. If you need to prep even further ahead, mix all the liquids and refrigerate them, then add the fresh fruit within 24 hours of serving.

Keep your sangria covered in the refrigerator while it’s steeping. The alcohol and acidity preserve everything nicely, so there’s no food safety concern. When you’re ready to serve, give it a good stir since the fruit and any spices may have settled, then pour over ice and enjoy knowing you did all the work hours ago.

Other Holiday Cocktails

Looking for more festive drinks to round out your holiday menu? Shake up a Holiday Cosmo when you want something quick and elegant. The Cranberry French 75 brings champagne into the mix for celebrations, while the Spiced Pomegranate Cocktail offers a different fruit flavor that’s just as seasonal. The Spiced Cranberry Mule is perfect when you want something easy that doesn’t require shaking, and the Winter Sangria gives you another big-batch option for entertaining with a completely different flavor profile that doesn’t use cranberry. Each of these cocktails brings

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