If you’re looking to bring a fresh, festive twist to your holiday gatherings, this White Christmas Sangria Recipe is an absolute must-try. It’s bursting with bright, wintery flavors from crisp white wine, sparkling grape juice, and a colorful mix of seasonal fruits, all beautifully accented with fragrant rosemary and a hint of coconut on the rim. This delightful sangria is not only eye-catching but incredibly easy to make, promising a refreshing, bubbly sip that feels both elegant and cozy. Whether it’s a cozy night in or a lively party, this White Christmas Sangria Recipe will light up the moment with every glass.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple, fresh, and festive ingredients make this sangria truly shine. Each element plays a special role, from the tangy apples adding crunch to the cranberries’ pop of flavor, while the rosemary brings a fragrant herbal note that’s perfect for the season.
- White wine (Pinot Grigio, 25 oz): A crisp, dry base that provides a refreshing foundation for the sangria.
- Sparkling white grape juice or sparkling apple cider (25 oz): Adds effervescent sweetness and festive bubbles without overpowering the flavors.
- Cranberries, whole (3/4 cup): Offer tart bursts of flavor and a beautiful splash of holiday red.
- Cranberries, halved (1/3 cup): More tartness and an eye-catching texture contrast throughout the drink.
- Seedless green grapes, halved (1/2 cup): These add juicy sweetness and maintain a lovely green accent color.
- Granny Smith apples (2, cored and chopped): Their tart crunch brightens the sangria and keeps it crisp.
- Rosemary sprigs (2–3): Impart a fragrant herbal touch that perfectly complements the fruits.
- Club soda (to top off): Brings extra bubbles and a light finish for serving.
- Light corn syrup (for glasses): Helps the coconut flakes stick beautifully to the glass rims.
- Coconut flakes (for glasses): Provide a snowy, wintery garnish that adds texture and charm.
How to Make White Christmas Sangria Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Main Ingredients
Start by adding the white wine, sparkling white grape juice or apple cider, whole and halved cranberries, halved green grapes, chopped Granny Smith apples, and rosemary sprigs into a large pitcher. Give everything a gentle stir to combine the vibrant fruits and fragrant herbs with the liquid base. This is where the magic begins, bringing together fresh and lively flavors that will infuse beautifully underneath refrigeration.
Step 2: Chill and Marinate
Cover the pitcher and pop it into the fridge for at least four hours. This resting time lets all those bright notes meld delightfully, allowing the fruits to soak up some of the wine’s crispness while releasing their own juices and aromas. The longer it chills, the better the harmony of flavors, so overnight is even better if you can wait.
Step 3: Rim the Glasses
Prepare your sangria glasses by dipping their rims in a shallow bowl of light corn syrup, then immediately into a bowl of coconut flakes. This creates a frosted rim that looks like winter snow and adds a subtle hint of sweetness with a pleasant crunch. It’s such a fun touch that turns an already festive sangria into a party showstopper.
Step 4: Serve with a Splash of Fizz
Pour the chilled sangria into the prepared glasses, making sure to scoop in some of the gorgeous fruit for that extra burst of flavor and color. Top each glass with a splash of club soda to add sparkling bubbles and a light, refreshing finish. Optionally, garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig to enhance that beautiful herbal aroma with every sip.
How to Serve White Christmas Sangria Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a sprig of rosemary as a garnish not only beautifies each serving but also elevates the flavor profile with a piney, aromatic note that truly captures the essence of the holidays. You can even float a few whole cranberries on top for that irresistibly festive look.
Side Dishes
This White Christmas Sangria pairs wonderfully with light, fresh appetizers like cheese platters featuring tangy goat cheese and crackers, or a seasonal salad with pomegranate seeds and candied pecans. The sangria’s bright acidity and effervescence cut through rich, creamy dishes and complement fresh fruits and nuts, making it versatile alongside a variety of holiday fare.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider serving this sangria in stemless wine glasses or festive mason jars tied with a ribbon for a casual-yet-stylish vibe. For larger gatherings, pre-rimming multiple glasses and chilling them in the fridge makes pouring smooth and seamless. You can also float edible flowers or freeze the fruits into ice cubes to keep drinks cool without dilution while adding visual interest.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with any leftover sangria, simply cover the pitcher tightly and store it in the refrigerator for up to two days. The flavors may intensify but the fruit could become a bit softer. Stir before serving to redistribute the juices for the best taste.
Freezing
This sangria isn’t ideal for freezing since the fruit’s texture and the wine’s delicate bubbles can be affected. For icy refreshment, try freezing some of the sangria into popsicles or cube trays and adding those sangria ice cubes into fresh pours instead.
Reheating
Sangria is best enjoyed chilled and never heated, as warming it can diminish the bright freshness and cause the sparkling elements to fade. Keep it cold, bubbly, and vibrant for the best experience every time.
FAQs
Can I use other white wines for this sangria?
Absolutely! While pinot grigio works wonderfully for its crisp, light character, other dry white wines like sauvignon blanc or unoaked chardonnay can also create a beautiful base for this sangria.
Is it possible to make this sangria non-alcoholic?
Yes! Simply replace the white wine with more sparkling white grape juice or a non-alcoholic white wine alternative. The flavor will be just as festive and refreshing without the alcohol.
How far in advance can I prepare the White Christmas Sangria Recipe?
The sangria can be mixed and refrigerated up to 24 hours before serving. This allows the flavors to develop beautifully and means less stress on the day of your event.
Can I substitute rosemary with another herb?
You can try thyme or even a small pinch of fresh mint for a different herbal note, but rosemary complements the holiday flavors uniquely, so it’s worth giving it a try as is.
What’s the best way to keep the coconut flakes stuck to the glass?
Light corn syrup works like a charm as “edible glue” because it’s sticky enough to hold the coconut flakes in place but smooth enough not to overwhelm the rim’s texture.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about sharing a glass of this White Christmas Sangria Recipe with friends and family during the holiday season. Its fresh, festive ingredients combined with the sparkling bubbles and charming garnishes make it a joy to serve and sip. I can’t wait for you to try it and see how effortlessly it brings warmth, color, and cheer to your celebrations.
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White Christmas Sangria Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings
- Category: Beverage
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This refreshing White Christmas Sangria combines crisp white wine with sparkling grape juice, fresh cranberries, green grapes, and Granny Smith apples, all infused with aromatic rosemary sprigs. It’s a festive, chilled beverage perfect for holiday gatherings, served in coconut-flaked glasses for a seasonal touch and finished with a splash of club soda for extra fizz.
Ingredients
Liquid Ingredients
- 1 bottle (25 oz) white wine (preferably Pinot Grigio)
- 1 bottle (25 oz) sparkling white grape juice or sparkling apple cider
- Club soda, to top off drinks
- Light corn syrup, for glass rims
Fruits
- 3/4 cup whole cranberries
- 1/3 cup halved cranberries
- 1/2 cup seedless green grapes, halved
- 2 Granny Smith apples, cored and chopped
Herbs & Garnish
- 2 – 3 rosemary sprigs
- Coconut flakes, for glass rims
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Add the white wine, sparkling white grape juice (or sparkling apple cider), whole cranberries, halved cranberries, halved green grapes, chopped Granny Smith apples, and rosemary sprigs into a large pitcher. Stir gently to combine all the ingredients evenly.
- Chill Sangria: Cover the pitcher and refrigerate the sangria for at least 4 hours or longer to allow the flavors to meld and fruit to infuse the liquid.
- Prepare Glasses: Drizzle light corn syrup in a shallow bowl and place coconut flakes in another shallow bowl. Dip the rims of stemless wine glasses first into the corn syrup, then into the coconut flakes to create a frosted rim effect.
- Serve and Garnish: Pour the chilled sangria into the prepared glasses, making sure to include some infused fruit pieces in each glass. Garnish with an additional rosemary sprig if desired, and top each glass with a splash of club soda to add refreshing bubbles.
Notes
- Chilling the sangria for longer than 4 hours enhances the flavor infusion.
- Use a dry white wine like Pinot Grigio for a crisp taste or experiment with other varietals based on preference.
- For a non-alcoholic version, substitute the white wine with additional sparkling grape juice.
- Light corn syrup helps the coconut flakes adhere better to the glass rims.
- Adjust the amount of rosemary and fruit according to taste and presentation preferences.
