Something about the holiday season just makes you want to curl up in a blanket by the fire with a nice cocktail. Yeah a hot chocolate is nice to sip on here and there but cranberry really screams Holiday season to me! I mean yeah when I make homemade chicken salad sandwiches I like to use dried cranberries but I can’t think of another time where I pop open a can of sauce other than the holiday season. You can however always find a can of cranberry sauce on our Thanksgiving and Christmas table.
Also I know what your thinking but don’t come at me for the canned cranberry sauce! My family just prefers the smoothed jellied sauce over a chunky homemade version. Yes I know I could pull out a chinois to make the sauce smooth myself but with everything else going on do I really want to? No. Plus have you ever tried to clean one of those things! Pain in the tush especially if I am only making 1 days worth!
This batch pitcher cocktail recipe is so easy to make and delicious! You can make it ahead for a party or whip it up last minute. On the morning of Christmas we open presents at home but at noon we head over to my grandparents to continue the celebration with extended family. So our day is pretty busy!
My job for family dinner is always to bring a bottle of wine. This year instead of just bringing over a bottle I am going to make this cocktail! The kitchen on Christmas can get crazy! Too many cooks in the kitchen so I actually end up not making anything. In fact I want to avoid the kitchen like the plague if I can so I will be prepping the sangria at home.
Ingredients Needed
1 bottle sparkling wine
1 cup cranberry juice
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup simple syrup (optional)
1/4 cup vodka or hard liquor of your choice
1 orange
1 cup cranberries
How to Make Sparkling Cranberry Orange Sangria
This batch pitcher cocktail recipe is so easy to make and delicious! You can make it ahead for a party or whip it up last minute. Start by cutting the orange into slices. Add the slices along with the cranberries into a pitcher.
Over the fruit pour in the sparkling wine, cranberry juice, orange juice, hard liquor and simple syrup if using. Depending on your tastes and what sparkling wine you use will determine if you need the simple syrup. I usually love drinks on the sweeter side but I actually prefer this cocktail without the added sugar. Make sure to give it a try before adding the simple syrup!
Give the cocktail a quick stir and you are ready to drink!
I recommend using cold ingredients in this cocktail rather than ice. If you are the tye of person who enjoys drinks with more ice than liquid then I would recommend freezing the cranberries ahead of time. Popping the cranberries into the freezer for about an hour will create little ice cubes that won’t water down your drink as you sip along!
Like i said this cocktail is super simple to make ahead. It is perfect for the hostess with the mostess looking for one less thing to do or if you are in charge of cocktails at friendsmas. If you want to make the sangria in advance combine all of the ingredients except for the sparkling wine and pop the mix into the fridge to keep it cold. When you are ready to sip, grab the mix from the fridge and add your sparkling wine.
Since this sangria is made with an entire bottle of sparkling wine you might have leftovers at the end of the night. No judgment if you don’t though! If you do have leftovers though don’t toss them! You can store the leftovers in the fridge to enjoy the next day. Everything will have time to meld together more and a stronger orange note will come out. The cocktail will not be sparkling anymore but you can enjoy it as is or top it off with sparkling water to make it fizzy again.
Sparkling Cranberry Orange Sangria
Ingredients
- 1 bottle sparkling wine
- 1 cup cranberry juice
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup simple syrup (optional)
- 1/4 cup vodka or hard liquor of your choice
- 1 orange
- 1 cup cranberries
Instructions
- Cut the orange into slices. Add the slices along with the cranberries into a pitcher.
- Over the fruit pour in the sparkling wine, cranberry juice, orange juice, hard liquor and simple syrup if using. Give the cocktail a quick stir and serve!
Notes
- If you want to make this in advance combine all of the ingredients except for the sparkling wine. Keep everything cold and when you are ready to enjoy pop the bottle, pour and enjoy!
- If you do not enjoy all of the cocktail the night of you can store the leftover in the fridge for the next day. The cocktail will not be sparkling anymore but you can enjoy it as is or top off with sparkling water to make it fizzy again.
