Nothing says cozy and cheerful quite like a glass of sangria bursting with fresh fruit and festive spices. The Festive Cranberry Apple Sangria Recipe brings together crisp apples, tart cranberries, and warming cinnamon for a holiday drink that feels like a celebration in every sip. It’s the kind of recipe I turn to when I want to impress guests without fussing over complicated cocktails.

A clear round glass filled with deep red liquid with several red cranberries and thin orange slices floating inside; the glass rim is coated with green sugar crystals and topped with a cinnamon stick and a small sprig of green rosemary. The glass sits on a white coaster with a gold edge, which is placed on a round wooden board. In the background, parts of similar glasses with the same red drink and garnishes are visible, all set on a white marbled surface with scattered cranberries and green leaves nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Cranberry Apple Sangria Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Cranberry Apple Sangria Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Cranberry Apple Sangria Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I've made this sangria countless times at holiday parties and cozy nights in, and what always gets me is how effortlessly it brings that festive spirit to the table. It's fruity, a little sweet, with just the right hint of spice—and it looks absolutely stunning in a glass pitcher.

Fresh, Seasonal Ingredients: It uses simple fruits like apples and cranberries that are easy to find and really brighten the flavor.
Perfect Balance of Sweet and Tart: The honey and lemon juice create a lovely harmony that isn’t overly sweet.
Make Ahead Friendly: You can mix it hours or even the day before, letting the flavors deepen over time.
Beautiful Presentation: The colorful fruit and rosemary sprigs make it a centerpiece-worthy drink.

Three clear round glasses filled with a deep red drink sit on white coasters with gold edges, placed on a wooden board over a white marbled surface. Each glass has a green sugar-edged rim, floating red cranberries, orange slices, and a cinnamon stick with a sprig of rosemary for garnish. Scattered cranberries and small green pine branches surround the scene, with a red candle and festive decorations in the blurred background. The setting has a cozy, holiday feel, and the photo was taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Festive Cranberry Apple Sangria Recipe plays a role—from the fruit adding freshness and texture to the spices warming every sip. When shopping, aim for the freshest fruit you can find for the best flavor.

Flat lay of fresh apple slices arranged neatly beside a bright whole navel orange and thin orange slices, a small cluster of plump fresh cranberries, a few vibrant green rosemary sprigs, whole cinnamon sticks laid in parallel, small white ceramic bowls containing golden honey and pale yellow lemon juice, a white ceramic bowl filled with amber unfiltered apple cider, and another white bowl holding deep red unsweetened cranberry juice, all placed symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Apples: Use a crisp variety like Fuji or Honeycrisp to add a juicy crunch that holds up well in the sangria.
Cranberries: Fresh or frozen work beautifully, adding that classic tart kick and bright red color.
Orange (navel and sliced): Adds citrus brightness and a gorgeous pop of color.
Fresh Rosemary Sprigs: These provide a subtle piney aroma that feels so festive and unique.
Honey: A natural sweetener that balances the tartness without overpowering.
Lemon Juice: Adds a refreshing zing to enhance all the flavors.
Cinnamon Sticks: Infuse the sangria with cozy spice notes—essential for that holiday vibe.
Apple Cider (unfiltered): Brings depth and a hint of sweetness, complementing the fruit.
Unsweetened 100% Cranberry Juice: Ensures the drink stays vibrant and not too sugary.
Sweet Red Wine: A fruity, smooth base—you can pick your favorite bottle but avoid something too dry or tannic.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One thing I love about this Festive Cranberry Apple Sangria Recipe is how easy it is to tweak it just the way you like. I often adjust the sweetness or experiment with the spices depending on the occasion, so feel free to make it your own!

Variation: I once added a splash of brandy on a chilly night for an extra warming kick—totally delicious and something you'll want to try for cozy gatherings.
Dietary Alternatives: Use agave or maple syrup instead of honey for a vegan twist; swap in sparkling water for extra fizz to lighten it up.
Seasonal Swap: In summer, I switch the apple cider for chilled peach juice and toss in sliced peaches instead of apples—just as festive, but with a sunny vibe.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Cranberry Apple Sangria Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Fruit

Start by washing and slicing your apple and orange. I like to leave the skin on for that vibrant color and extra texture. If using fresh cranberries, give them a quick rinse too. Plop all your sliced fruit into a large pitcher or punch bowl—this makes it easy to stir everything together later.

Step 2: Combine the Liquids

Pour in your sweet red wine, cranberry juice, apple cider, and lemon juice. Then drizzle the honey over everything. Stir gently but thoroughly until the honey is well mixed in—no one wants a honey glob in their sangria! This step helps balance all the flavors perfectly.

Step 3: Add Spices and Chill

Tuck your fresh rosemary sprigs and cinnamon sticks on top—not just for flavor, but they add such a festive, aromatic touch. Then cover the pitcher and pop it into the fridge. It needs at least an hour to let the flavors marry, but if you can swing overnight, even better. I’ve found that the longer it chills, the more the spices infuse properly.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

When you're ready to serve, give it a gentle stir. I like to add a handful of ice cubes or even frozen cranberries to keep it chilled without watering it down. Pour it into your favorite glasses, garnish with a little extra rosemary or fruit, and enjoy!

Top Tip

When I first started making this sangria, I learned that the chilling step is non-negotiable—it really brings all the flavors together and smooths out the edges. Here are some tips I've picked up along the way to make sure yours turns out just right.

Use Fresh Fruit: Stale or bruised fruit can make your sangria taste dull, so always choose fresh, firm apples and bright cranberries.
Don’t Skip the Chill: Letting the sangria sit in the fridge at least an hour, ideally longer, lets the flavors meld beautifully.
Stir Gently: You want to mix, but avoid breaking down the fruit too much to keep a pretty presentation.
Avoid Over-Sweetening: Add honey gradually and taste as you go to maintain that perfect sweet-tart balance.

How to Serve Festive Cranberry Apple Sangria Recipe

Cranberry Apple Sangria - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

For garnishes, I’m a big fan of adding a sprig of fresh rosemary for that piney aroma and a cinnamon stick for extra spice with every sip. A few cranberries or thin apple slices on top not only look pretty but make the sangria feel even more special.

Side Dishes

This sangria pairs beautifully with anything from a cheese platter loaded with aged cheddar and crackers to roasted nuts or even your favorite holiday cookies. I love serving it alongside spiced nuts and a plate of baked brie—it’s a crowd-pleaser every time.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I’ve poured this sangria into a large glass punch bowl to show off the colorful fruit and added extra ice cubes made from cranberry juice to keep it cold without dilution. Another fun idea is layering fruit cubes frozen in juice inside the glasses before serving—it looks magical and keeps the drink chilled longer.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

One of the best things about this sangria is that it stores wonderfully in the fridge for up to 2 days. Just keep it covered tightly and give it a gentle stir before serving again to refresh the flavors. Sometimes the fruit softens a bit over time, so feel free to add fresh slices if you like.

Freezing

I’ve tried freezing sangria additions, like fruit cubes and cinnamon sticks separately, but I don’t recommend freezing the whole sangria since the wine and juices don’t freeze and thaw well. Instead, freezing fruit ice cubes is a great way to prep ahead and keep your drink chilled later.

Reheating

This sangria is best served cold and isn’t really meant to be reheated. If you want a warm version, try making a mulled wine inspired by these flavors instead, heating gently with the spices and fruit for a cozy twist.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of wine for this Festive Cranberry Apple Sangria Recipe?

Absolutely! While a sweet red wine works best for this recipe, you can experiment with fruity rosés or even a lighter white wine if that’s your preference. Just avoid very dry, tannic wines that could clash with the fruit and spices.

How far in advance can I make the sangria?

You can make this sangria up to 24 hours in advance. The flavors actually improve with time as the fruit infuses the wine. Just keep it covered and refrigerated until you're ready to serve.

Can I make this sangria non-alcoholic?

Definitely! Swap out the wine for extra apple cider and cranberry juice or use a sparkling grape juice. Add a bit more lemon juice for balance and keep all the fresh fruit and spices for a delicious mocktail version.

What’s the best way to keep the sangria cold without watering it down?

I like to freeze some of the cranberries or even slices of apple in an ice tray with a little cranberry juice. Adding these fruit ice cubes to the sangria keeps it chilled without diluting the flavors, plus it looks so pretty!

Final Thoughts

This Festive Cranberry Apple Sangria Recipe has become one of my go-to drinks for holidays and special occasions because it’s so easy to make yet feels truly special. It brings people together, brightens any gathering, and offers that perfect balance of flavors every time. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—here’s to many joyful sips ahead!