Sparkling Holiday Sangria

Whether you’re hosting a small gathering or a large party, this Sparkling Holiday Sangria is sure to be a hit! Sweet, delicious and puts you in the holiday spirit!

The holidays are just around the corner and we’re all getting excited for some time off from work, spending time with friends and family, and of course, the food!

One of our favorite holiday traditions is gathering together for a big Christmas feast. And what goes better with a feast than a delicious Sangria? This year, we’re jazzing up our traditional recipe with some bubbly Champagne for a festive twist.

This Champagne Sangria is the perfect drink to serve at your holiday gathering. It’s easy to make, can be prepared ahead of time, and is sure to please everyone at the table. Plus, it can easily be doubled or tripled for serving a crowd.

So whether you’re hosting a holiday party or just spending time with loved ones, make sure to include this Sparkling Christmas Champagne Sangria on your menu. Cheers!

If you’re looking for more holiday cocktails, try our Rudolph Margarita or Christmas Moscow Mule!

What is sangria?

Sangria is a wine-based cocktail made with fruit juices, spices, and liquor. It originated in Spain, and its name comes from the Spanish word for “blood.”

Sangria is typically made with red wine, but it can also be made with white wine or rosé. The most common fruits used in sangria are oranges, lemons and apples.

Why You’ll Love This Sangria

• The bubbly champagne and fruity flavors are the perfect combination for a holiday party punch!
• This sangria is easy to make ahead of time, so you can spend more time with your guests and less time in the kitchen.
• This recipe can easily be scaled up or down, depending on how many people you’re serving.

What You Will Need

• Vodka – any brand will work.
• Champagne – use your favorite bottle of champagne.
• White Cranberry Juice
• Apple
• Fresh Cranberries
• Lime
• Fresh Rosemary
• Ice Cubes
• Star cookie cutter – optional

How to Make Christmas Sangria with Champagne

1. In a large pitcher add a handful of ice cubes.
2. Slice apple horizontally and use the star cookie cutter to make the shapes. Dice up the apple scrapes. Place the apple shapes, cranberries and slices of lime into the pitcher.
3. Pour in the champagne, vodka and top off with white cranberry juice.
4. Allow to sit in fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.
5. Garnish with fresh rosemary when serving.

Prep Tips

• Choose your champagne wisely– go for a quality Brut or Extra Dry champagne, and avoid any sweeter options like Blanc de Blancs.
• Pick your fruit carefully– fresh, in-season fruits like berries, citrus, and stone fruits will make the best sangria. Avoid using fruits that are overly ripe or beginning to turn.
• Get the right proportions of fruit to champagne– too much fruit will make your sangria too sweet, while too little will make it taste flat. Aim for a 1:1 ratio of fruit to champagne.
• Add a touch of sweetness– a small amount of sugar or honey will help to bring out the flavors of the fruit and balance the acidity of the champagne. Start with a little bit and add more to taste.
• Let it sit– letting your sangria sit for at least 4 hours (or even overnight) before serving will allow the flavors to meld together nicely. Serve chilled over ice, and enjoy!

FAQs

What kind of champagne should I use?

A good rule of thumb is to use whatever you would drink on its own. In other words, don’t spend a fortune on top-shelf champagne, but don’t use the super-cheap stuff either.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! In fact, it’s even better if you do. The flavors have time to meld and it gets even more festive as the fruit starts to sink to the bottom. Just be sure to give it a good stir before serving.

Help! My sangria is too sweet.

If your sangria is too sweet, it’s probably because you used a sweeter wine or added too much simple syrup. To fix this, add a splash of seltzer water or club soda until it reaches the desired level of sweetness.