This delicious Blood Orange Sangria combines smooth Merlot, spiced rum, and citrus blood orange juice with fall flavors of apple and cinnamon.
Looking for a delicious sangria that’s perfect for Fall and the holiday season? Try this Blood Orange Sangria! It has citrusy notes of juicy blood orange, crisp apple undertones, smooth Merlot, and earthy cinnamon. It’s the perfect citrus sangria for this time of year!
Enjoy this easy sangria recipe in the warm fall days or the cold winter months. The warm flavors from the cinnamon and spiced rum have a distinct flavor that is perfect for the holidays. It’s sure to be a crowd-favorite cocktail!
What is Sangria?
Sangria originated in Spain and dates all the way back to the 1800s. It is a popular cocktail that combines wine, liquor, different fruits, and spices. Classic sangria is made with either white or red wine. The type of wine used in the sangria recipes dictates the flavor profile.
Red wine pairs well with fresh berries and liquors. It also compliments holiday spices, like cinnamon or cloves. White wine has a lighter flavor and pairs well with citrus.
This delicious recipe for Blood Orange Sangria combines the citrus flavors of blood orange with cinnamon and red wine to create a delicious red fall sangria. It’s perfect for cool evenings, holiday gatherings, or an afternoon cocktail after apple picking!
Looking for more Fall sangria recipes? Try this White Wine Pumpkin Cider Sangria or this Red Fall Sangria!
Ingredients for Blood Orange Sangria
- Apples – Sliced red apples are great for a fall sangria because they are sweet and have a distinctive fall flavor.
- Blood Orange – These oranges are sweeter and less acidic than regular oranges. They look like a regular orange on the outside, but inside the flesh is a dark red color. They are in season in late Fall through Winter. Fresh blood oranges are a must for this blood orange sangria recipe.
- Orange – Add a little acidity to this sangria with fresh orange slices. Naval oranges are best for this sangria because of their robust flavor. Orange season lasts from Autumn to Spring, so citrus cocktails are perfect for Winter.
- Merlot – This smooth wine is medium-bodied, and dry, with a slightly fruity flavor. The flavor profile combines dark berries and earthy clove. It’s the best wine for this sangria. If you don’t like Merlot, Pinot Noir is an excellent alternative. Cabernet Sauvignon would work as well, but it is full-bodied and less sweet. That makes it a less ideal match.
- Blood Orange Juice – This delicious dark red juice adds the sweet blood orange flavor to this sangria cocktail. Use bottled blood orange juice, or freshly squeezed. Whichever is easiest and most readily available to you. Bottled juice is sweeter, so it eliminates the need for a simple syrup sweetener.
- Spiced Rum – This spirit is a dark rum with rich spices added to it. The most commonly used spices are cinnamon, vanilla, cardamom, and cloves. Some spiced rum may also have notes of nutmeg or caramel. The rich, spicy flavor is perfect for autumnal cocktails.
- Cinnamon Sticks – Add a burst of cinnamon flavor with a few fresh cinnamon sticks! They also make an excellent garnish when serving this sangria.
How to Make Blood Orange Sangria
Sangria is one of the best big batch cocktails for a party or cocktail hour. It combines a full bottle of red wine with juices, winter citrus, and spiced rum. Plus, it is an easy cocktail to create!
First, slice a red apple, blood orange, and naval orange into thin round slices. Add them to the bottom of a large pitcher. Then pour the Merlot and blood orange juice over the fruit. Add the spiced rum and cinnamon sticks.
Stir to combine the ingredients and flavors. I recommend letting the sangria sit in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. This resting time gives the fruit and cinnamon time to permeate the sangria. Serving sangria the next day is even better because it gives the flavors time to meld together more.
Serve this blood orange sangria over ice in a large wine glass. Garnish with slices of blood orange and a cinnamon stick.
How Long Does This Sangria Last in the Refrigerator?
Sangria typically lasts up to five days open in the refrigerator. Store it in a pitcher or carafe with a sealed lid. The flavors of the sangria deepen and develop over time. This means the flavor may change the next time you drink it.
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Enjoy a glass of sangria this citrus season! It’s the perfect wine cocktail for this time of the year!
Delicious Recipes to Pair with Blood Orange Sangria
Blood Orange Sangria
Equipment
- pitcher
Ingredients
- 1 red apple sliced
- 1 blood orange sliced
- 1 naval orange sliced
- 2 cups Merlot
- 2 cups blood orange juice
- 4 oz spiced rum
- 2 cinnamon sticks
Instructions
- Cut a red apple, blood orange, and naval orange into thin round slices. Add them to the bottom of a large pitcher.
- Pour Merlot and blood orange juice over the fruit.
- Add the spiced rum and cinnamon sticks.
- Stir to combine the ingredients and flavors. Let sangria sit for at least 1 hour before serving to allow ingredients time to release their flavor.
- Serve over ice in a large wine glass. Garnish with slices of blood orange and a cinnamon stick.
