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Fall Drinks With Cranberry Juice Sangria

Thanksgiving Cranberry Sangria

This festive Thanksgiving Cranberry Sangria combines rich red wine with tart cranberries, seasonal fruits, and warming spices to create a make-ahead holiday cocktail that balances brightness with depth—perfect for sipping throughout your Thanksgiving celebration.
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Total Time 15 minutes
Course Beverage, Cocktail
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • 2 bottles 750ml each medium-bodied red wine (like Merlot or Pinot Noir)
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries plus extra for garnish
  • 1/2 cup cranberry juice 100% juice, not cocktail
  • 1/4 cup brandy or Grand Marnier
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup real maple, not pancake syrup
  • 2 oranges one sliced into rounds, one juiced
  • 1 apple cored and thinly sliced
  • 1 pear cored and thinly sliced
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 4 whole cloves
  • 1 bottle sparkling water or club soda for serving
  • Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the cranberries by rinsing them thoroughly and selecting the firmest ones. Set aside a small handful for garnish and add the rest to a large pitcher.
  • Add the sliced fruits to the pitcher—the orange rounds, apple slices, and pear slices all go in. The natural sugars in these fruits will infuse into the sangria, adding layers of flavor.
  • Pour in the wine, ensuring you’re using something you’d enjoy drinking on its own. A medium-bodied red with fruit-forward notes works best here—nothing too tannic or heavy.
  • Add the remaining liquid ingredients—the cranberry juice, orange juice, brandy or Grand Marnier, and maple syrup. The maple syrup adds a distinctly autumnal sweetness that pairs beautifully with Thanksgiving flavors.
  • Drop in the spices—cinnamon sticks and cloves—to add warmth and depth. These warming spices will infuse slowly, creating that perfect holiday aroma.
  • Stir everything gently with a wooden spoon to combine. Avoid aggressive stirring which can bruise the fruit and create bitterness.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight. This resting period is crucial for flavor development—the longer it sits, the better it gets.
  • Just before serving, add a splash of sparkling water or club soda to each glass (about 2 tablespoons per serving) for a light effervescence that brightens the drink.
  • Garnish each glass with a few fresh cranberries, a slice of orange, and a small sprig of rosemary if desired. These finishing touches add visual appeal and fresh aromatics.

Notes

  • For a non-alcoholic version, substitute the wine with cranberry juice and grape juice, and omit the brandy.
  • The sangria base (without the sparkling water) can be made up to 2 days in advance.
  • If you prefer a sweeter sangria, add the maple syrup gradually to taste—you can always add more, but you can’t take it away.
  • For extra cranberry flavor, you can lightly crush about 1/4 cup of the cranberries before adding.
  • The fruit becomes infused with wine and makes a delicious edible treat at the bottom of each glass.