Christmas Sangria

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Youโ€™re gonna love this twist on Christmas Sangria! With a fizzy ginger beer and white wine base, and all jazzed up with fruits like apples and pears, itโ€™s bound to become a new holiday favorite.

Suitable for gluten free and vegetarian diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.

A cocktail decorated with sprigs of rosemary.

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Every family has its favorite go-to holiday foods and drinks. If you want something different, try our favorite white Christmas Sangria recipe. This sangria has been enjoyed at our family gatherings over the last few years; you’ll love it, too.

It has tart cranberries and apples mixed with sweet pears and warm star anise. As you sip, you’ll enjoy a balanced flavor, plus it’s super easy to make! It only takes about 5 minutes to prepare and chills in about an hour, and then you’ve got a refreshing drink to serve to guests. 

Sangria in a pitcher with festive fruits.

The vibrant colors of the cranberries, green apples, and pears make this the best Christmas cocktail. Despite its fancy appearance, this white sangria is easy to make and can be prepared beforehand.

We have a lovely, easy Champagne Margarita to bring on more festive cheer. But don’t forget to plan some great Christmas casseroles to accompany your drinks.

Why Make This Recipe

  • Great flavor – The flavors of the ginger beer and the white wine complement each other perfectly. 
  • Festive appeal – Nothing says Christmas like pops of reds and greens!
  • Simple preparation – Easily mix this drink in about 5 minutes and store it in the fridge until you are ready to serve.

Looking for more festive drink recipes? Get all of my alcohol based drink recipes to make your next party a big hit!

Ingredient Notes

  • Ginger Beer – Adds a subtle spice and fizz to the sangria, complementing the fruity flavors with a refreshing kick. You can also use ginger ale.
  • White Wine – Forms the base of the sangria, offering a crisp and light flavor profile that pairs well with the other ingredients.
  • White Sugar – Sweetens the sangria, balancing the acidity of the fruit.
  • Cranberries – Fresh cranberries add a pop of color and tartness to the sangria. You can use frozen cranberries.
  • Green Apples – Add a crisp texture and tangy flavor that brightens the sangria.
  • Pear – This fruit adds a juicy sweetness and subtle floral notes.
  • Star Anise – Infuses the sangria with a warm, aromatic flavor reminiscent of licorice.
  • Rosemary Sprigs – Fresh rosemary provides a fragrant herbal aroma and a hint of pine-like freshness.
Ingredients for a white wine sangria.

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How To Make Christmas Sangria

Get complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card further below.

Wine being poured into a jug.

Step 1. Pour the ginger beer, white wine, and sugar into a large pitcher. Stir well until the sugar dissolves.

Sangria in a jug.

Step 2. Add cranberry juice, sliced apples, pears, and star anise to the pitcher and stir. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Add ice, garnish, and serve.

Pro Tips

  • Choose fresh, ripe fruits for the best flavor.
  • Let the cocktail chill in the fridge for a few hours before serving it to your guests. This allows the flavors to meld, plus the drink is best served cold. 
  • Get creative with your sangria recipe! Try different combinations of fruits, herbs, and spices to create unique flavors.
  • Since wine is a primary ingredient, use one that you enjoy drinking by itself. Choose a wine you like, whether red, white, or rosé. 
  • For extra fizz, top off your sangria with a splash of sparkling water or soda just before serving.
A jug of white sangria filled with cranberries.

Delicious Variations 

  • Tropical – Combine pineapple, mango, and passion fruit with white rum for a tropical sangria. Add a splash of coconut water for extra flavor.
  • Berry – Mix strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries with red wine and a touch of brandy for a rich and fruity sangria. Garnish with fresh berries for a vibrant presentation.
  • Sangria Blanca – Experiment with your sangria by using green grapes, kiwi, and peach slices along with white wine and elderflower liqueur for a floral and delicate flavor profile.
  • Add Fresh Fruit and Juice – Orange slices and fruit juices such as pomegranate juice, apple cider, orange juice or apple juice add lots of flavor.
A pitcher with sangria made with white wine.

Prep And Storage

  • Prep Ahead – It will keep 2-3 days in a sealed container in the fridge, but the fruit can get mushy, so add it when serving if you require longer storage.
  • Store—Store in the fridge in a sealed container for 3-5 days.
  • Freeze – Strain the fruit and freeze it in ice cubes or popsicles.  
A glass of sangria decorated with sprigs of rosemary.

FAQs 

What wine is best for sangria?

Traditionally, red wine is used for classic sangria, but you can also use white or rosé wine depending on your preference. Choose a wine that is fruity and not overly bitter.

Is fresh or frozen fruit better for sangria?

Both fresh and frozen fruit have their perks when it comes to whipping up a batch of sangria.

Fresh fruit brings those bright, bold flavors and a crisp texture that really makes your drink pop visually.

On the flip side, frozen fruit is super handy to keep around, chills your sangria without watering it down, and lets you play with flavors that might be out of season.

Can I make a virgin sangria?

Yes, you can make a non-alcoholic sangria by substituting the wine with fruit juice or a combination of fruit juices. You can also use sparkling water or soda in place of any alcoholic components for a refreshing mocktail version.

Why does my sangria taste bitter?

If your sangria tastes bitter, it could be due to the tannins in the wine or the pith of citrus fruits.

Try using a fruitier, less tannic wine and make sure to only use the colorful zest of citrus, avoiding the bitter white pith.

A splash of simple syrup or honey can also help balance out the bitterness.

A sangria recipe in a low cocktail glass with sprigs of rosemary.

Similar Recipes

Looking for more EASY, delicious, and flavorful drink recipes? I’ve got you covered. Check out my full collection of drink recipes for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic recipes.

Serve with:

An alcoholic drink decorated with sprigs of rosemary.

Weight Watchers Points

There are 6 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

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A cocktail decorated with sprigs of rosemary.
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5 from 1 vote

Christmas Sangria

Serve up this delicious white wine Christmas Sangria at your next festive gathering.
Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American, Western
Diet: Gluten Free
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 207kcal
Author: Bintu Hardy

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (250ml) ginger beer
  • 4 cups (1000ml) white wine
  • 2 tablespoons white sugar
  • 1 ½ cups (160g) cranberries
  • 1 green apple sliced
  • 1 pear sliced
  • 3 star anise
  • 4-6 rosemary sprigs to garnish

Instructions

  • Pour the ginger beer, white wine and sugar into a large pitcher.
  • Stir well until the sugar dissolves.
  • Add cranberry juice, sliced apples, pears, and star anise to the pitcher and stir well.
  • Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.
  • Add ice to the pitcher just before serving.
  • Garnish glasses with rosemary for a festive touch.
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Video

Notes

  • Choose fresh, ripe fruits for the best flavor.
  • Let the cocktail chill in the fridge for a few hours before serving it to your guests. This allows the flavors to meld, plus the drink is best served cold. 
  • Get creative with your sangria recipe! Try different combinations of fruits, herbs, and spices to create unique flavors.
  • Since wine is a primary ingredient, use one that you enjoy drinking by itself. Choose a wine you like, whether red, white, or rosé. 
  • For extra fizz, top off your sangria with a splash of sparkling water or soda just before serving.
  • Storage – Keep in the fridge in a sealed container for 3-5 days. Add the fruit when serving if you require longer storage.
  • There are 6 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

Nutrition

Calories: 207kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.04g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 12mg | Potassium: 213mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 60IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg

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5 from 1 vote

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