Winter Sangria

Sangria is the perfect make-ahead cocktail to serve a crowd. The fruit-filled punch recipe can be made with red or white varietals (or rosé!) and can be endlessly customized with your favorite combinations of fruits. But starting with a tried-and-true recipe, especially when new to the sangria game, is always a good idea. This wintery version calls for cranberries, apples, and oranges as well as orange liqueur and Campari. It's festive, cheery, and so good, you'll want to make it all year-round. Plus, it's 100% foolproof: add everything to a pitcher, then let it chill. All that's left to do is pour it up and enjoy!

What kind of alcohol is in sangria?

Sangria is all about the wine! But many sangria recipes, including this one, incorporate other spirits along with the wine. Some orange liqueur and Campari (or Aperol) add fruitiness to this crowd-friendly, batch cocktail.

What is the best wine for sangria?

The best red wine for sangria is one that's not too sweet. The fruit, orange liqueur, and Campari add enough sweetness, so to balance it out, a dryer red wine is preferred. Spanish wines such as Tempranillo or Garnacha are great choices; otherwise, choose a fruity Zinfandel or a Malbec. There are all different types of wine, but none of them should break the bank!

Should sangria be cold or warm?

Sangria is best served chilled, so plan ahead! Your pitcher will need plenty of time to get nice and cold in the refrigerator. Craving a warm and cozy wine cocktail? Consider Ree Drummond's cranberry mulled wine instead. 

Can you make sangria the night before?

This recipe only calls for 2 to 8 hours in the refrigerator, but feel free to let it hang out overnight in the fridge. The fruit will soak up more liquid that way, which is never a bad thing. 

What are the best fruits to use for sangria?

The type of fruit you use for sangria, red or white, should depend on what's in season. Make this recipe on repeat when it's cold outside. During the summer, switch to Ree's red wine sangria made with pineapple juice, strawberries, and nectarines.