Holiday Menu: Christmas Sangria

As you plan your Holiday Menu, don’t forget to include a festive cocktail, like Christmas Sangria, for you party guests. This wintery twist on the Spanish classic combines tart cranberry and orange juices with Grand Marnier, bubbles and a beautiful garnish. It adds a festive element to any gathering.

By blending together a few seasonal flavors you can serve a tasty winter take on this traditional summer drink. Traditional Sangria usually includes muddled fruit, but we like the presentation of the fruit as a pretty garnish on top. What better way to add to your holiday festivities?

How to Make This Delicious Christmas Cocktail

Most of this lovely holiday cocktail can be made and chilled ahead of time, and you can add the bubbles just before serving.

• Combine the frozen cranberry and orange juice concentrates with the white wine and Grand Marnier. Stir vigorously to combine.
• When ready to serve, add the bottle of club soda, or sparkling wine if you’d like it extra boozy:)
• Use a cocktail skewer, like these snazzy bamboo skewers, to spear a few cranberries and a wedge of orange or lime for garnish.

What to Serve with Winter Sangria

This festive cocktail has sweet, tart, and crisp flavors. It will complement a wide range of savory appetizers, creamy cheeses, and chocolate desserts. It pairs really well with some of our favorite appetizers. Click on the links below for the recipes:

• Caprini– Creamy Goat Cheese topped with chopped olives, capers, sun-dried tomatoes, and warm garlic oil. This one doesn’t last long on the hors d’oeuvre table, so be sure to make two!
• Pistachio Apricot Cheese Ball– Just the right amount of sweet and tart combine with salty nuts in this party pleaser.
• Santa and his Reindeer
• Spiced Nuts- Toasted and seasoned to perfection. A great snacker for the appetizer buffet.

Looking for More Holiday Recipes?

We have fantastic appetizers, side dishes and main courses to share with you for your holiday party planning. We also have great make-ahead casseroles, like our family favorite Hashbrown Potato Casserole, that can bake away in the oven while you spend precious time with family.

Holiday Main Dishes

• Glazed Ham
• Rack of Lamb
• Perfect Broiled Salmon

Holiday Side Dishes

• Easy Risotto– This simple, but flavorful side dish goes well with many holiday main courses and is a nice break from potatoes!
• Quick and Easy Green Bean Casserole A classic!
• Zucchini Tomato Gratin This looks so beautiful plated and complements a wide variety of entrées.

Holiday Desserts

• Chocolate Stamped Cookies These easy, make ahead, cookies taste as beautiful as they look!
• Easy Poached Pears This simple, but so elegant dessert, can even be made ahead of time. It tastes wonderful served warm or cold and has such a pretty presentation.
• Sugar Cookies/ Easy Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies These taste great plain, or decorated with your favorite type of icing.
• Buche de Noel (Yule Log)

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There are so many options when considering what drinks you’ll be serving your guests, here are but a few suggestions…

For the adults

• how about a traditional Wassail Bowl from House Beautiful
• a simply decadent Cookies and Cream Cocktail from Simple Bites
• a holiday favorite Peppermint Cosmo from self.com

Don’t forget the kids

• celebrate the season with Hot Spiced Cranberry Cider
• a quick Kiddie Cocktail from Pocket Change Gourmet
• warm up with a Creamy Hot Chocolate from Food Network’s Paula Dean

Do you have a favorite drink for the holidays?