So fresh and so Christmas-perfect, this holiday drink is festive, refreshing, and bubbly – it’s the perfect drink for your party punch bowl or pitcher.
Jump to White Christmas Sangria Recipe
White sangria (sangria blanca) has always been a favorite for the holidays. This version adds a splash of pomegranate juice to give it a beautiful, red holiday tint.
White Christmas Holiday Sangria Ingredients
The spirits/liquor
Grab a bottle of white wine (Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc is recommended for White Christmas Sangria), brandy, and one bottle of champagne (a dryer type like brut is recommended). Chill the champagne.
The fruit
2 pears, sliced (any will do, but I used green for the color), 2 red apples, and 2 cups of cranberries. Fresh cranberries can be found at your local grocery store, but only September through November/December; they are a very seasonal item. If availability is a concern, make sure to grab some when you find them, and freeze them for later use. *If you have a favorite seasonal fruit, feel free to add it in!
Optional
The beautiful seasonal red color in the photo was from adding ½ cup pomegranate juice. You may omit the juice if a more traditional white sangria look is desired. Additionally, if desired, ¼ cup honey can be added for extra sweetness and rosemary can be added for a decorative garnish.
How to Make White Christmas Sangria
It’s so easy! Uncork your wine and add it and brandy into a punch bowl or large pitcher for serving.
Core and slice your pears and apples, I use an apple corer for removing the core and slicing them quickly.
Add the fruit with the wine, brandy, cranberries, pomegranate juice, and honey (sub organic sugar or maple syrup for vegan or omit for lower sugar) and refrigerate for 2 hours prior to serving.
Add chilled champagne and garnish with rosemary sprigs if desired. Serve as desired; a punch bowl or sangria pitcher is recommended.
Tips for Making Your Own Sangria
I love homemade sangria; it’s fast, easy, and tasty. Here are some of my favorite tips:
- Use an apple corer/slicer to help slice fruits like apples and pears quickly.
- Keep sangria cold and flavorful by using pieces of frozen fruit as ice cubes or freeze wine in ice cubes. Add them to the sangria as needed.
- Make sangria at least a couple hours before you plan to serve it (preferably overnight). As the sangria sits in the refrigerator, it will help the wine and fruit meld together for great flavor.
- Prioritize using seasonal fresh fruit, the fresher the fruit, the better the flavor.
- Sweeten the sangria to your taste buds. Use dry wines and champagne. This will allow you to sweeten the sangria to your personal preferences.
- Add a little spice! Make your sangria with something special: thyme, basil, cinnamon, star anise, or even jalapenos if you’d like some heat.
Make This Sangria Ahead of Time
You can make this sangria ahead of time; saving time to prepare for your party. It is best to make this sangria at least a couple hours before you plan to serve it (preferably overnight). As the sangria sits in the refrigerator, it will help the wine and fruit meld together for great flavor. When ready to serve, champagne can be added.
FAQ
Sangria typically consists of red or white wine and some include liquor. Occasionally champagne is used for a sparkling variation.
Triple sec, vodka, or rum can be used. To preserve the holiday-esque flavor of this White Christmas Sangria, I’d recommend a clear rum.
It all depends on your personal taste preferences. Brandy seems to be more popular in sangria, but it’s all relative. If you are making white sangria and use rum, clear is preferred. If you are making red sangria, either spiced or clear rum can be used.
Both Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc make great options for a white wine sangria.
The best way is without the use of regular ice; as it can water the sangria down. Keep sangria cold and flavorful by using pieces of frozen fruit as ice cubes or freeze wine in ice cubes. Add them to the sangria as desired.
Sangria is preferable to sit (refrigerated) for at least a couple hours to allow the flavors to meld. Allowing it to sit overnight provides even more flavor. I would not let it sit much longer, or the fruit can become mushy.
More Festive Holiday Cocktails
Feeling festive? For a dangerously strong cocktail try this Apple Pie Drink at your next party, for a healthier cocktail try infusing your own vodka for a Mango Pomegranate Vodka Spritzer, or if none of these are your style, browse my 50 Best Gluten Free Appetizers & Cocktails for Christmas to find your perfect pick.
What to Serve with White Sangria?
Traditional white sangria goes great with Spanish/Mexican-inspired recipes, seafood, and crackers/cheeses. This Christmas version, however, is great for holiday parties. Serve with your favorite festive appetizers, snacks, and sweets! It’s especially a great accompaniment to cheeses and everything charcuterie!
Here’s to some healthier and festive holiday cocktails and regaining our sparkle together,
✧❈✯✦Jenn✦✯❈✧
White Christmas Sangria
Ingredients
- 1 – 750 ml bottle white wine (Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc recommended)
- ¼ cup brandy
- 2 pears, sliced
- 2 red apples, sliced
- 2 cups cranberries
- ½ cup pomegranate juice (for color)
- ¼ cup honey (optional)
- 1 bottle champagne (drier like brut is recommended), chilled
- Rosemary (garnish only)
Instructions
- Add everything but the champagne and garnish into a 7+ cup pitcher and refrigerate for two hours (or overnight).
- Gently mix in champagne prior to serving. Garnish each glass with a sprig of rosemary if desired.
How many glasses roughly does this serve on the single batch?
This makes about 6 glasses (if the fruit doesn’t absorb too much of the liquid, sometimes you can get more/about 8 glasses.