Sparkling Christmas Sangria

Bring a little festive sparkle to your celebrations with Christmas sangria. Made with red wine, seasonal fruit and warming spices, then topped with fizz just before serving, it’s a colourful crowd-pleaser that’s easy to prepare ahead.

This recipe balances juicy citrus and apple with cinnamon and a splash of brandy. Add sparkling wine at the last moment to keep every glass lively and refreshing.

Ingredients

• 1 bottle fruity red wine, chilled
• 150ml brandy
• 2 oranges, thinly sliced
• 1 red apple, cored and thinly sliced
• 100g fresh cranberries
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 2 tbsp caster sugar, or to taste
• 330ml sparkling wine or chilled lemonade
• Ice, to serve
• Rosemary sprigs and extra cranberries, to garnish (optional)

Method

1. Add the red wine, brandy, orange, apple, cranberries, cinnamon sticks and sugar to a large jug or bowl. Stir gently until the sugar has dissolved.
2. Cover and chill for at least two hours, or overnight, so the fruit and spices can infuse the wine.
3. Just before serving, remove the cinnamon sticks if you prefer a milder flavour. Stir in the sparkling wine or lemonade.
4. Serve over ice, making sure each glass gets a little fruit. Garnish with rosemary and a few extra cranberries, if you like.

Tips for the best Christmas sangria

Choose a fruity, approachable red wine rather than an expensive bottle. A young Spanish red works particularly well, while a lighter red can make the drink feel fresher. Taste the mixture before adding the sugar: ripe fruit and sweet lemonade may mean you need less, or none at all.

For the best fizz, keep the sparkling wine chilled and add it just before pouring. To prepare the drink ahead, mix the wine, brandy, fruit and spices in advance, then add the bubbles when your guests are ready to raise a glass.

For a lower-alcohol option, replace the wine and brandy with red grape juice and add sparkling water or alcohol-free sparkling wine to finish. You can also swap the red wine for white wine for a lighter, golden-coloured version.

A festive drink for sharing

With jewel-bright cranberries, fragrant cinnamon and plenty of seasonal fruit, sparkling Christmas sangria looks as inviting as it tastes. Serve it as a welcome drink, pour it alongside festive nibbles, or make a jug for a relaxed gathering. Just remember to label alcoholic and alcohol-free versions clearly, and enjoy responsibly.

7 Tips for Perfecting Festive Sparkling Christmas Sangria

1. Use chilled sparkling wine for a crisp finish.
2. Add orange, cranberry and sliced pear.
3. Choose a dry fizz to balance the fruit.
4. Stir in cinnamon or star anise for festive warmth.
5. Make the fruit base ahead and chill it.
6. Pour in the bubbles just before serving.
7. Serve over ice with fresh rosemary.

Use chilled sparkling wine for a crisp finish.

For a crisp, refreshing finish, make sure the sparkling wine is thoroughly chilled before adding it to your Christmas sangria. Stir it in just before serving to preserve the bubbles and keep every glass bright and lively.

Add orange, cranberry and sliced pear.

Add orange, cranberries and thinly sliced pear to your sparkling Christmas sangria for a festive mix of colour and flavour. The orange brings bright citrus notes, cranberries add a tart, seasonal touch, and pear lends a delicate sweetness that pairs beautifully with the warming spices.

Choose a dry fizz to balance the fruit.

Choose a dry fizz, such as brut sparkling wine or cava, to balance the sweetness of the fruit and any added sugar. Its crisp, refreshing finish keeps the sangria lively rather than overly sweet. Add it just before serving to preserve the bubbles.

Stir in cinnamon or star anise for festive warmth.

For a warmly festive twist, add a cinnamon stick or a star anise to your sparkling Christmas sangria while the fruit and wine infuse. These aromatic spices bring gentle notes of warmth and fragrance without overpowering the drink. Remove them before adding the sparkling wine, then top up just before serving to keep every glass bright and bubbly.

Make the fruit base ahead and chill it.

Prepare the fruit base a day ahead by combining the wine, fruit and spices, then cover and chill it in the fridge. This gives the flavours time to mingle and makes entertaining easier. Add the sparkling wine just before serving, so the sangria stays fresh and fizzy.

Pour in the bubbles just before serving.

Pour the sparkling wine or fizz into your Christmas sangria just before serving. This keeps the bubbles lively and gives every glass a fresh, festive sparkle.

Serve over ice with fresh rosemary.

Serve your sparkling Christmas sangria over plenty of ice to keep it crisp and refreshing. Add a sprig of fresh rosemary to each glass for a fragrant, festive touch that pairs beautifully with the fruit and warming spices.