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Red Christmas Single Serve Sangria is how I get my sangria fix, without making an entire pitcher of the stuff! Instead of dealing with hosting a party to get rid of a giant batch of sangria, you can celebrate your general fabulousness this holiday season with a festive glass of sangria just for Y-O-U. Garnished with a sugar-coated sprig of rosemary, you’ll be feeling all merry and bright with every sip.
about this red christmas single serve sangria
If I am going to be hosting a party during the holiday season, you better believe there is going to be some festive sangria in the mix.
The colors, the flavors, all of it mixes together in the SIMPLEST drink in the world and makes hosting that much easier during this somewhat overwhelming, extremely social time of year.
My go-to sangria is always my Christmas Sangria from a handful of years ago. It happens to be the most popular recipe on this site, and it’s no wonder why.
It’s easy-to-make, it’s colorful, and it’s festively garnished with fresh rosemary!
As the years have gone on, two things have happened…
1) I am not hosting as many holiday events and 2) I am getting more and more into red wine.
SO, I decided it was high time to not only get my sangria fix without making a GIANT batch, and also incorporating red wine!
Taking a queue from my Christmas Sangria, I brought out the rosemary once again, but this time with a frosted look from the easy peasy sugar coating.
The fresh fruit, cinnamon, and brandy with the red wine makes this a bold and hearty sangria that is perfect for curling up under the Christmas tree with. It’s perfect to make for yourself, you and your boo, or you and your BFF for a gal’s/guy’s night in.
ingredients
wine. since this is a red sangria, you will need to use red wine! I like to use a merlot or a syrah, but you can also use a cabernet sauvignon or pinot noir. Just choose the varietal you like to drink the most!
juice. I use orange juice with this sangria – you can use fresh squeezed orange juice or store-bought.
brandy. choose a mid-tier brandy! I like to use this in a lot of sangrias.
fruit. you will need orange, apple, and fresh cranberries for this recipe!
cinnamon sticks. only need a couple of cinnamon sticks for this recipe!
rosemary. I like to use the rosemary as garnish! You can skip it if you prefer.
sugar. you will only need granulated sugar to coat the rosemary sprigs.
this recipe’s must-haves
This cutting board and chef’s knife are a must so you can easily chop up everything you need for the sangria.
Cocktail spoons are perfect because you are just stirring everything up, right in the glass!
here’s how to make red christmas single serve sangria
combine
Divide the juice, red wine, and brandy between two wine glasses. Add a slice of orange and cinnamon stick to each glass.
Divide the chopped apple and cranberries evenly between the two glasses and stir to combine.
chill
Refrigerate for at least one hour, up to 4 hours.
garnish
Briefly rinse rosemary sprigs in water, then coat in granulated sugar shaking the excess off. Garnish when ready to serve. This sangria can be served chilled or you can let it sit at room temperature for a bit before serving.
what to serve with red christmas single serve sangria
Want to make yourself a little snack or festive bite to enjoy with your sangria? Here are some of my favorite bites that are ideal for pairing with this recipe (just be sure to cut the recipe in half if you are making it for yourself only!):
roasted cranberry goat cheese crostini
bite-sized baked bacon brie pockets
chicken spinach artichoke dip puffs
Also, don’t forget to check out the other holiday recipes I’ve shared for the 12 Days of Jolly Giveaways!
Day One – Red Wine Slow Cooker Short Rib Ragu
Day Two – Gingerbread Challah Bread
Day Three – Mini Beef Wellingtons
Day Four – Bourbon Gingerbread Punch
Day Five – Twice-Baked Chicken Shawarma Stuffed Potatoes
Day Six – Head Country BBQ Prize Pack
Day Seven – White Chocolate Dipped Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
Day Eight – Red Christmas Single Serve Sangria
Don’t forget to check out the full list of Christmas cocktails and drinks (including nonalcoholic options!) too! This red sangria is a big batch option for those looking for it.
Finally, if you make this red christmas single serve sangria recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a rating or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment. Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!
Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!
Red Christmas Single Serve Sangria
equipment
ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups red wine
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup brandy
- 2 slices of orange
- 1 apple chopped
- 1/3 cup cranberries
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 sprigs rosemary
- Water
- 1/4 cup sugar
instructions
- Divide the orange juice, red wine, and brandy evenly between two large wine glasses.
- Add a slice of orange and a cinnamon stick to each glass.
- Divide the chopped apple and cranberries evenly between the two glasses.
- Stir briefly to combine.
- Refrigerator for at least one hour.
- Add sugar to a shallow dish with a wide mouth.
- Briefly rinse rosemary sprigs under water, shaking excess water off.
- Roll the rosemary sprigs in sugar. Set aside on a clean plate until ready to garnish.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Kelly D says
I would choose white wine.
Kim Leonard says
Red wine for me for the winter!
Lisa Babs says
Ooooo toughie. I know I’d go with white if I have to pick and my husband will def go with red wine. So hopefully it doesn’t have to be a house wide decision.
Kayley says
I’m not actually a wine drinker! I’d fill the glasses with non-alcoholic festive drinks such as cranberry punch or sparkling apple cider. 🙂
Dee Johnson says
I would want to live off red wine.
Kim Merselis says
Red Wine!
Becca Collinson says
Red for me for sure… it’s killing me to be without any pinot noir while this baby is cooking!
Jennifer S. says
White….as look as I could still cook with red. Good thing we don’t have to choose!
Melissa Storms says
Definitely red, I like both but prefer red.
Annamarie V says
I would be red for the rest of my life.
Heather B says
I would definitely choose white.
Candace Galan says
I would say red because I do like it more and it’s healthier
carol clark says
i choose white
karen says
I would choose white
Karen D says
Red all the way!
Kimberly Flickinger says
I could live on only red wine. Love white, but red more.
Cathy B says
That’s a very tough question as there are so many varietals for both! and when you live in a place with 4 seasons that is another consideration. But, if I had to choose I would say REDS! ( which would go well with those incredible glasses and the Sangria recipe!
Blessed Christmas everyone!
Cathy B
ET Pruitt says
I would choose red wine
Kristen says
I really love white wine!
latanya says
white wine
Jessica To says
I would have to say white wine.
Annmarie W. says
I’m definitely much more a white wine drinker. There are only a few reds that I like…I find them a bit heavy.
Jessica Gipson says
I would go with red wine.
Saundra Bowers says
I would have to say white wine, as I drink more of that than red.
nickie says
I would rather have red.
Kayte CookWatts says
Red is my fave- there is only a few whites I like-so far- I am always open to tasting!
dominique says
What red wine do you use?
Meghan Y. says
I like to use a Cabernet Sauvignon, but you can also use a shiraz or pinot noir!