Winter Sangria Perfect for Christmas

It's the holidays and you know what that means...lots of parties, family gatherings, and fun in general! This winter sangria recipe is perfect for this time of year! 

When we host just about anything, there are cocktails involved.  One of my favorites to make ahead of time is Sangria.  It's a crowd-pleaser...I can make a ton of it in advance AND I can customize it to the season which is how this recipe for winter sangria was born.

A few days ago while shopping in my local Whole Foods Market in Jenkintown, PA I came across a gorgeous bin of Satsumas with their vibrant green leaves still attached. Satsumas are prized for their sweetness and juiciness and are low in acid. They typically yield more juice than other citrus fruits and are always seedless.  They may be small however they are big in instructional value!  An average Satsuma contains just 50 calories and provides more than the daily-recommended amount of Vitamin C, they are also high in calcium, fiber, thiamine, and folate.  That's one heck of a fruit!

Right then & there I decided that satsumas would be a part of my Holiday Winter Sangria!

When it comes to fruit, it's great to buy organic when you can, however when you are making cocktails with fruit, in my opinion, you always want organic...after all the fruits will be floating in & infusing your drinks right?  SO whenever I am at Whole Foods Market, I feel good knowing I can see exactly where the fruit came from and that it is in fact organic.

Grocery shopping  with your kids is like classroom time...they can take a look and see just where it is the food that will soon grace their tables (and their tummies) are coming from...I love that!

This winter Sangria is fabulous for Christmas parties and dinners.  The color is festive and the available fruits in December are a perfect compliment!

I found a gorgeous tub of huge fresh cranberries as well as a big fat pomegranate while shopping. I knew some of each would end up in my Sangria as well!

As a matter of fact, I am gifting a few interestingly shaped jars of Winter Sangria over Christmas...It makes a great hostess or food gift! I bet a few people in your life would LOVE a jar of homemade Christmas Sangria vs a plate of cookies 😉

Winter Sangria Ingredients aka Christmas Sangria

1 bottle (750 ml) Red Wine (I like using Shiraz)
½ cup Satsuma juice (you can substitute clementine)
¼ cup fresh squeezed lime juice
½ cup blackberry brandy
¼ cup Triple Sec
1  to 1 ½ cups Cranberry Simple Syrup (recipe follows)
Satsuma (or clementine) wedges
Lime wedges
Pomegranate seeds
Fresh Cranberries

For Cranberry Simple Syrup

1 cup fresh cranberries
1 cup water
¾ cup sugar
½ TBS fresh lime juice

In a large pitcher or pot, combine wine, citrus juices, brandy, triple sec and 1 cup of the Cranberry Simple Syrup.  Stir, taste.  Decide your preference for sweetness and either add the other ½ cup of Cranberry Simple Syrup or save it for another use.  Add in the fruit (remember if possible organic is best when having fruit floating in your drink).  Allow it to sit in your cold garage or fridge for at least 1 hour up to 36 hours and serve.  You can store it in the fridge (sealed) without fruit for a week.
When serving always serve this over ice... the more ice the better!

If giving this as a gift, do not add fruit until right before gifting OR package fruit on the side (keep citrus whole).

To make Cranberry Simple Syrup for Winter Sangria

• In a small pot, combine cranberries, water and sugar. Heat until the mixture begins
  to boil then reduce to a simmer.
• Continue simmering until cranberries have burst (about 3-4 minutes more).
• Remove from heat and carefully use a potato masher or a muddler to mash the cranberries, which will maximize the infusion. Allow this mixture to cool.
• Strain the syrup (using a mesh strainer) into a bowl. Be sure to press firmly down on the cranberries to get every bit of syrup. You will need to scrape the cranberry pulp off of the strainer and discard to continue, or the strainer will become clogged.
• Once the syrup is completely cool, transfer it into a mason jar or glass container and store in your fridge until ready to use.  This keeps well for a week in your refrigerator.

Colleen's Notes:  You can add some club soda, Sprite, or other citrus soda to this if you choose for a bit of fizz as well as to stretch it for a party - your call...just place a small amount in a glass over ice add some soda in and taste to see if you would enjoy it that way.

Looking for additional holiday season (& beyond) cocktail ideas?

Check out this Wild Hibiscus Liquor & Cocktail
Perfect Pomegranate Mojitos
Homemade Chocolate Liquor (a great food gift!)
The oh-so popular Apple Pie Moonshine (another great food gift!)
Philadelphia Fish House Punch (a New Years Eve staple, one filled with history & a PUNCH!)

Cheers to Happy Happy Holidays!!