Cranberry Sangria

Last updated on September 1st, 2026

I love sangria and I LOVE cranberry! I wish cranberry was showcased more year-round because I seriously can’t get enough of it. Total fall/winter vibes! This Cranberry Sangria was so delicious. I’m constantly buying the stuff in the box – and this was like that, but way better! It was fruity, a little spicy, sweet, and strong. I made my husband a little go cup right before he went on the lawnmower and a little while later, he came back in to tell me how delicious and BOOZY it was! This was really simple to make, and it makes a couple servings. So, ditch that box of blah and just make it yourself at home. This is perfect for a Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas gathering too.

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So, what’s the backstory on sangria?

Sangria was born in Spain and Portugal in the 1800’s! There they referred to it as a wine punch. The name sangria came from the word “sangre” which actually means… blood. Blood?! Well, they only called it that due to its signature deep, red hue. Fascinating, right? And before sangria, there was something called “Leonese lemonade” which was a mixture of wine, spices, citrus, and sugar in the Middle Ages.

The idea of mixing fruit with spices and wine goes all the way back to the Romans though, where they had to fortify water with herbs and wine just to make it safe for drinking! In today’s day and age, sangria is whatever we want it to be. They even make sangria blanca. Essentially, it’s just wine, fruit, brandy, spices, some type of sweetener, and sometimes soda.

Are there any alternatives to the sugar in this recipe?

Absolutely! While this sangria gets most of its flavor from fresh fruits, there’s also granulated sugar that adds to the sweetness in this cocktail. For a healthier option consider using honey or maple syrup instead. You can also enhance flavor with additional spices and by chilling for a longer amount of time.

Typically, some sugar in your diet is fine as long as you don’t have certain health conditions or dietary restrictions. A good rule of thumb – everything in moderation!
Plus, regular sugar will always be a better choice compared to artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose. Check out my blogger friend, Ken’s article where he dives into this topic in depth on his health and wellness blog, Organic Solace!

What ingredients do I need to make this?

For the cranberry sangria:

Pinot Noir
Brandy
Cranberry Juice
Sugar
Lemon
Orange
Apples
Cinnamon Sticks

For serving:

Ice
Boozy Fruit
Cinnamon Stick

What equipment do I need?

• Pitcher
• Wooden Spoon
• Cutting Board
• Chef Knife
• Measuring Cups and Spoons

How do I make it?

To prep the ingredients:

First, wash and dry all of your fruit. Next, slice the lemon and orange into rounds and remove any seeds, then thinly slice or chop the apples.

To make the cranberry sangria:

In a large pitcher, add the wine, brandy, cranberry juice, and sugar, mixing thoroughly with a wooden spoon until combined.

Toss the fresh fruit and some cinnamon sticks into the pitcher, mix it up again, then refrigerate for a while.

Pro Tip: Allowing the sangria to chill in the fridge like this enhances the flavor SO much. The cinnamon sticks spice the liquid, the fruit absorbs the booze, and the flavors deepen dramatically.

To serve:

Serve the chilled sangria over ice, adding some of those boozy slices of fruit and a fresh cinnamon stick to each glass, if desired. Enjoy!

Tips:

• Drink this fruity beverage up within a day or two so the fruit doesn’t get all weird!
• Double or triple this recipe for a party.
• It doesn’t really matter what type of wine you use as long as it’s dry and red.

Did you love this Cranberry Sangria? Check out some more of my festive cocktails!

• Apple Cider Whiskey Sour
• Pear Bourbon Smash
• Cranberry Hot Toddy

Big cranberry lover? I feel that so much!

• Cranberry Clementine Smoothie
• Cranberry Onion Pork Chops
• Cherry and Cranberry Cobbler