I can confidently say this is the best Sangria recipe I’ve ever had. Your guests will love this delicious Christmas sangria—a festive drink perfect for holiday gatherings. By the end of the night, they’ll be asking for the recipe!

Glasses of red wine sangria with cranberries

Christmas Sangria Recipe: A Holiday Party Punch to Serve a Crowd!

Party Punch to Serve a Crowd!

The holiday season brings so many opportunities for celebrating, and I always seem to whip up more big-batch cocktails in December than any other time of year, especially this red wine Christmas sangria! Whether for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or New Year’s, this recipe is guaranteed to be a hit.

Throughout college, I got pretty good at creating party punch recipes on the fly—using whatever fresh fruit and drinks I had on hand. My best friend Katie is the queen of holiday drinks and taught me everything about making a good sangria that fits any occasion.

If you’re here because you clicked over from Katie’s original white sangria recipe (seriously the best white sangria recipe of all time), then you’re in for a treat! This red wine version, with seasonal fruits like fresh cranberries, green apples, and pomegranate seeds, has quickly become a crowd favorite.

The Story Behind the Secret Sangria…

Throughout our friendship, my best friend Katie has brought her “secret sangria” recipe to every holiday party and casual gathering. It’s everyone’s go-to festive drink!

I was thrilled when she agreed to share her recipe on my blog, requesting only that I call it “Katie’s Secret Sangria.” Since then, it’s become THE most popular recipe on my website. Affiliate links to this recipe went viral on Pinterest, bringing visitors to my site all year long.

Earlier this year, I found out that Katie’s sangria recipe was actually a remix from her friend Mia’s secret sangria recipe! Mia’s version calls for dry red wine like Carlo Rossi or Spanish wines. Katie, however, adds sparkling water and sometimes club soda or ginger ale to give it an extra fizz.

In my Christmas version, I recommend using any bottle of red wine you have on hand, such as a pinot noir or cabernet sauvignon, plus a little vodka (citrus-flavored would be amazing) and a blend of pomegranate juice, cranberry juice, and orange juice concentrate. If you have a sprig of fresh rosemary, it makes a beautiful garnish for holiday drinks and adds a hint of earthy flavor.

This sangria has become more than just a holiday cocktail; it’s a recipe that brings people together. Many memories have been made while enjoying this signature cocktail, and I hope you’ll create your own memories with those you love most!

Ingredients for Christmas Sangria

Red Wine – any kind of dry red wine or a favorite cabernet sauvignon
Vodka
Fresca Soda
Limeade
Frozen Orange Juice Concentrate
Lime Soda Water (Lacroix or another brand)
Oranges – orange slices are a must!
Cranberries – fresh cranberries or pomegranate seeds work well
Limes
Optional: Add a touch of simple syrup if you like your sangria on the sweet side!

How to Make Christmas Sangria

To make this Christmas sangria, you’ll start by slicing up the fruit and adding it to a pitcher with the vodka so that the fruit can rest in the alcohol for a bit. This is a key step. Let it chill in the fridge for at least an hour.

Once the fruit has chilled, you’ll add in the remaining ingredients. To make the best version of this recipe, use a can of frozen orange juice from concentrate (the kind you’re supposed to mix with water). However, if you don’t have any on hand, 2 cups of regular orange juice will work (extra pulp is the best)!

Whether you’re looking for the perfect Christmas sangria recipe for your holiday party or just need a great go-to party punch, this red wine based sangria will become a crowd favorite! Serve this sangria over ice, well chilled. It is delicious and goes down like water so please drink responsibly!

The Recipe