Updated Christmas Sangria Recipe for National Sangria Day
The Minty’s Christmas Sangria
A few years ago when I first started the Minty, I posted my Christmas (XXXmas) Sangria recipe. I’ve tweak it every year though it’s basically the same.
This year, was probably the biggest variation of it.
Instead of soaking the fruit in citrus vodka, I did a combination of King’s Ginger liqueur, Angostura bitters and an apple shrub. This was done overnight.
I still used Captain Morgan’s spiced rum this year as it’s affordable (and I make a lot of sangria) but I’d be intrigued to try it with Sailor Jerry’s next year. Or I guess I should make a pitcher tonight. It is National Sangria Day after all.
Christmas Sangria – simplified
- Wine (Spanish reds like rioja work best but I’ve luck with some fruity Italian red wines)
- Sparkling cider (Trader Joe’s makes pomegranate, cranberry, apple, blueberry)
- Spiced rum
- King’s Ginger Liqueur
- Shrub & Co tart apple shrub
- Angostura bitters
- apples
- oranges
- tangerines
- cinnamon sticks
- cocktail cherries (Filthy brand recommended)
Dice fruit and place in a container with a lid. Add King’s Ginger, apple shrub, Angostura bitters and set aside. I don’t measure the fruit but account for 1 of each of the fruits in the pitcher. Add enough liqueur, bitters and shrub to evenly coat the fruit.
Day of the party
Add a cup of rum, a bottle of red wine, infused fruit, any leftover liquid from the infused fruit and two cinnamon sticks to the pitcher. Top off with sparkling cider. It’s preferable to let it sit in the fridge for four hours or so but even an hour will do. It only gets better with time.
I’ve kept the fruit simple this year but pears, (hard) persimmons and berries are welcome. I would leave out any citrus though to concentrate on the Christmas spice aspect. Some have suggested nutmeg, cardamon and other warm spices but the cinnamon works just great alone.
When serving, pour sangria into a glass with ice, spoon in a bit of the fruit and add a cinnamon stick for garnish. I also added a Filthy cherry as well.
Enjoy!
Or if you just want to go out tonight, here are some sangria spots LAist picked in LA!
© The Minty 2012