Enjoy this delicious winter sangria while warm and cozy inside. It contains white wine, sparkling grape juice, St. Germain, and rosemary.
Winter is a time for staying in and being cozy. For many, that includes a cozy cocktail! While sangria is typically considered a warm-weather cocktail, it can also be cozy. You just need the right flavors!
A winter sangria made with citrus and earthy flavors tastes cozy. It’s the perfect cocktail for unwinding or enjoying a winter gathering with friends.
What Is Winter Sangria?
Sangria is a cocktail typically made with wine and fruit. Many sangria recipes also include liquors, herbs, spices, and juices to enhance the flavor. Seasonal sangrias tend to pull their flavor inspiration from fruits that are in season.
This bold white winter sangria highlights some of the popular flavors of winter, like citrus and aromatic herbs. The bold taste of this sangria is perfect for those looking for a different flavor profile.
Winter Sangria Ingredients
- Chardonnay
- Sparkling white grape juice
- Triple Sec
- St. Germain (or elderflower liquor)
- Orange
- Frozen Cranberries
- Rosemary
How to Make This Bold White Winter Sangria
This bold sangria is the perfect blend of winter flavors. But it’s different than many Christmas cocktails. Which is perfect if you need a break from holiday flavors!
For this winter sangria, start with the fruit. Add an entire sliced orange to the bottom of a large glass pitcher.
Next, add a cup of frozen cranberries. You could also use fresh cranberries. Whichever is more readily available to you.
Then pour in a bottle of sparkling white grape juice. A bottle is typically just over three cups of juice.
Next, add a bottle of Chardonnay. Again, a bottle is typically just over three cups.
What Type of White Wine is Best for Winter Sangria?
A dry and bold-flavored white wine works best for this winter sangria. The less sweet wine perfectly compliments the sweeter juice and liquor.
The recipe for this sangria calls for Chardonnay. I prefer Chardonnay because it is typically a dry white wine. It is either medium or full-bodied. That means that it tastes thicker. Many Chardonnays are aged in oak. So they have a bit of oaky flavor. Which balances the sweetness of the grape juice. And complements the elderflower liquor.
Another wine option is a Brut sparkling wine. Brut is the French word for “dry.” A dry wine has fewer residual sugars. This results in a dry taste versus a sweet one. Dry wine is excellent for this sangria because the sparkling grape juice and elderflower liquor are quite sweet.
After the wine, add the liquor. This sangria uses both orange and elderflower liquors. The orange liquor in this recipe is Triple Sec. But any other orange liquor also works. Add 2 ounces of Triple Sec to the sangria. Then add 2 ounces of St. Germain.
What is St. Germain?
St. Germain is an elderflower liquor. It has a sweet and floral flavor. The consistency is a little thick. Similar to light syrup. It is truly unique! The liquor is incredibly flavorful, so a little bit goes a long way! The sweet botanical flavor complements the aromatic, earthy rosemary. And it pairs well with the citrus flavors of the orange as well.
Finally, add one or two fresh sprigs of rosemary to the winter sangria and stir.
I recommend letting the sangria sit in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. This resting time gives the rosemary time to permeate the sangria. If the sangria doesn’t sit the rosemary taste won’t be as bold.
Serve this bold winter sangria over ice with an orange slice and rosemary garnish.
How Long Does This Sangria Last in the Refrigerator?
Sangria typically lasts up to five days open in the refrigerator. However, I recommend removing the rosemary after the first day. The longer the rosemary infuses with the sangria, the stronger the flavor. It gets a little overpouring if left for too long.
Keep in mind that using sparkling wine shortens the shelf life of the sangria. Once the wine goes flat, its flavor profile changes a bit. I wouldn’t recommend storing this particular sangria for more than 2 or 3 days.
What to Serve with Winter Sangria
- A charcuterie board
- Cranberry Chicken Salad Dip
- Whipped Goat cheese
- Layered Greek Dip
White Winter Sangria
Equipment
- 1 glass pitcher
Ingredients
- 1 orange sliced
- 1 cup frozen cranberries
- 25 oz sparkling white grape juice whole bottle
- 25 oz white wine (Chardonnay) whole bottle
- 2 oz Triple Sec (orange liquor)
- 2 oz St. Germain (elderflower liquor)
- 1-2 sprigs fresh rosemary
Instructions
- Slice one whole orange. Add slices to the bottom of a glass pitcher.
- Add 1 cup of frozen cranberries.
- Add a whole bottle (about 25 oz) of sparkling white grape juice.
- Add a whole bottle (about 25 oz) of dry white wine, such as Chardonnay or Brut sparkling wine.
- Add 2 oz of orange liquor, such as Triple Sec.
- Add 2 oz of St. Germain (elderflower liquor)
- Add 1-2 sprigs of fresh rosemary.
- Allow sangria flavors to meld in refrigerator for at least one hour.
- Serve over ice with cranberries or rosemary as garnish.
