Description
This Festive Red Wine Sangria is a vibrant, flavorful cocktail perfect for holiday gatherings. Blending Merlot with cranberry and orange juices, blackberry brandy, Chambord, and festive spices, this refreshing sangria is chilled to meld the flavors and finished with lemon-lime soda for a light fizz. Garnished with fresh rosemary, it’s a delightful and aromatic drink to celebrate any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Liquids
- 750 ml Merlot or red wine of choice
- 2 1/2 cups cranberry juice
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1/2 cup simple syrup
- 1/2 cup blackberry brandy
- 1/2 cup Chambord
- 2 cups lemon-lime soda
Fruits & Garnish
- 2 oranges, sliced
- 1 cup cranberries
- 6 cinnamon sticks
- Rosemary sprigs, for garnish
Instructions
- Mix Ingredients: Combine the Merlot or red wine, cranberry juice, orange juice, simple syrup, blackberry brandy, Chambord, sliced oranges, cranberries, and cinnamon sticks in a large pitcher. Stir gently to mix all the flavors together thoroughly.
- Chill the Sangria: Place the pitcher in the refrigerator and chill for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully and intensify for the perfect festive taste.
- Add Soda and Ice: Just before serving, add ice to the pitcher and pour in the lemon-lime soda to give the sangria a light, refreshing fizz. Stir gently to combine without losing carbonation.
- Garnish and Serve: Pour the sangria into glasses and garnish each with a sprig of fresh rosemary for a festive and aromatic presentation that enhances the drink’s holiday appeal.
Notes
- For a non-alcoholic version, substitute red wine and brandies with grape juice and omit alcohol.
- Adjust sweetness by modifying the amount of simple syrup according to taste preference.
- Allowing the sangria to chill overnight maximizes flavor infusion for best results.
- Use fresh, seasonal fruits for garnish and enhanced aroma.
