Elevate your holiday feast with a pitcher of delicious Thanksgiving Sangria made with red wine. Infused with cinnamon and perfectly balanced with cranberry juice, maple syrup, and Cointreau, this easy fall sangria is a festive cocktail.
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This cranberry sangria originated from my love of mixing drinks with cranberry juice. For more cocktails with cranberry juice, try my cranberry gin cocktail or cranberry margaritas for more drinks your guests will love this holiday season.
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About Thanksgiving Sangria
After enjoying plenty of sangria on a recent trip to Spain, I couldn't stop thinking about this delightful red wine cocktail. Since my family loves red wine at holiday gatherings, I decided to create a special Thanksgiving sangria recipe. Sangria can be made with red or white wine. While I enjoy mixing cocktails in my home bar, having a batch of pre-made drinks makes hosting much easier.
I love serving sangria for Thanksgiving because it's simple to make, can be prepared ahead of time, and is perfect for serving a crowd. This recipe for Thanksgiving sangria is bursting with fall flavors and seasonal ingredients like cranberry, cinnamon, and maple.
Although it's named Thanksgiving red sangria, the warm spices and cozy flavors make it perfect to drink all season. I've also served this at Christmas parties too!
Ingredients
- Red wine: Wine serves as the base of this fall sangria recipe, providing depth and richness to the drink. Choose a fruity and medium-bodied red wine like Merlot, Zinfandel, Spanish Rioja, or Pinot Noir. These wines will blend well with the sweetness and tartness of the other ingredients.
- Cranberry juice: Cranberry juice adds a tart, refreshing flavor. It also enhances the Thanksgiving theme with its classic holiday taste.
- Cointreau: Cointreau, an orange liqueur, adds a citrusy brightness and a hint of sweetness. Triple sec, Grand Marnier, or brandy can be used as a substitute for Cointreau.
- Maple syrup: I make this recipe with 100% pure maple syrup. Maple syrup provides a natural sweetness that complements the autumnal feel of this Thanksgiving red sangria. If you don't have maple syrup, simple syrup can be used.
- Cinnamon sticks: Cinnamon sticks infuse the sangria with a warm, spicy aroma and flavor, perfect for the fall season. They add a comforting and festive touch, making the drink more aromatic and inviting.
- Fruit: I add seasonal fruit like apple slices, oranges, pomegranates, and fresh cranberries to make the sangria visually appealing and to infuses it with natural flavors. The fresh fruit absorbs the sangria, becoming a delicious treat to enjoy while drinking.
See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients, exact measurements, and nutritional information.
How to Make Thanksgiving Sangria
Whether you're hosting Friendsgiving or a family gathering, this autumn sangria will be a welcome addition to your Thanksgiving table. Make this red sangria the night before or morning of your party for a crowd-pleasing batch cocktail.
Step 1: First, place the fruit and cinnamon sticks at the bottom of a large pitcher or punch bowl. Then pour in a bottle of red wine.
Step 2: Next, pour cranberry juice into the pitcher.
Step 3: Pour Cointreau, or triple sec, into the pitcher.
Step 4: Add maple syrup to the pitcher.
Step 5: Stir the mixture to combine, then chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving. Serve this easy fall sangria with a garnish of fresh fruit.
Tips for the Best Thanksgiving Sangria
- Opt for a medium-bodied, fruity red wine like Merlot, Zinfandel, or Tempranillo. These wines blend well with the other ingredients and enhance the sangria’s flavor.
- Chill the sangria for at least 2 hours, or overnight. This not only makes it more refreshing but also allows the flavors to develop fully.
- Just before serving, top off the sangria with a splash of sparkling water, club soda, or ginger beer for a slight fizz and added freshness.
- Garnish the glasses with fall spices like a cinnamon stick or star anise. Fresh seasonal fruit, like orange slices, pomegranate seeds, or cranberries add a decorative touch and enhances the presentation.
Serving Suggestions
If you plan to serve this fall sangria recipe with Thanksgiving dinner, consider pairing it with some of our favorite holiday dishes:
More Thanksgiving Cocktails
If you try this recipe or any recipe from Happy Honey Kitchen, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below! Enjoy!
Thanksgiving Sangria
Save this Recipe!
I'll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!
Equipment
- Large pitcher or punch bowl
Ingredients
- 750 ml bottle red wine fruity and medium-bodied
- 1 cup cranberry juice
- ½ cup Cointreau
- 2 Tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- Fruit: apple slices, orange slices, cranberries
Instructions
- Add fruit and cinnamon sticks to the bottom of a large pitcher.2 cinnamon sticks, Fruit: apple slices, orange slices, cranberries
- Pour wine, cranberry juice, maple syrup, and Cointreau into the pitcher.750 ml bottle red wine, 1 cup cranberry juice, 2 Tablespoons maple syrup, ½ cup Cointreau
- Stir to combine and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.
Notes
- Choose a medium-bodied, fruity red wine such as Merlot, Zinfandel, or Tempranillo.
- After making sangria, chill it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight before serving.
- Optional: Just before serving, add a splash of sparkling water, club soda, or ginger beer for a slight fizz and added freshness.
- Optional: Garnish the glasses with a cinnamon stick and fresh fruit.
JJ
This sangria is so delicious! My family loves red wine and this was a great way to serve it.