I experimented with many sangria recipes when I came up with this. It is now a customary libation at Thanksgiving and Christmas; the one time I forgot to make it, my family actually became unhappy!
| Prep Time: | 15 mins |
| Cook Time: | 10 mins |
| Additional Time: | 1 day |
| Total Time: | 1 day 25 mins |
| Servings: | 8 |
| Yield: | 8 servings |
Ingredients
- 1 cup white sugar
- 4 cranberry-flavored tea bags
- 4 slices fresh lemon
- 6 whole cloves
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 ½ cups water
- 2 (750 milliliter) bottles white wine
- 4 apples, cored and cut into chunks
- 1 ½ cups dried cranberries
- 2 fluid ounces apple brandy
Instructions
- Place the sugar, tea bags, lemon slices, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and water into a saucepan, and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let mixture cool. Strain out and discard the spices, lemon, and tea bags.
- Pour the white wine into a large jar or covered container, and mix with the tea mixture. Stir in apples and cranberries; mix in the apple brandy. Chill in refrigerator 24 to 48 hours. Serve cold.
- I have made a kid-friendly version of this using white grape juice in place of the wine and a 1/4 cup of apple juice as the “kick!”
Reviews
Great recipe! I could not find cranberry tea, so I used cranberry juice and cut the sugar significantly. Topped it with sparkling wine. Thanks for the awesome recipe!
I made this for Thanksgiving and had to make a few adjustments due to lack of ingredients. I used 1 1/2 cups cranraspberry juice in place of the tea and water. I cut the sugar to 1/2 cup. I had frozen cranberries instead of dried. Came out delicious! My family is now telling me that this is what I am bringing to all family functions.
Made this for Thanksgiving, it was a big hit!
This was the hit of Thanksgiving this year! I used half the sugar just because a whole cup seemed like a lot ( I usually do that with everything). I used cranberry apple tea, and two travel sizes (like airplane size) of apple brandy. It came out delicious and everyone liked it, even those that normally don’t drink alcohol. I will definitely make it again!
This was delicious – though a bit too sweet for some of us. The spices were awesome. Next time, I might reduce the apple brandy to help cut the sweetness or switch to a really dry white wine.
Have been making this for a few years, Everyone’s favorite, Always asked for the recipe. I use cranberry hibiscus tea, instead of apple brandy I use Apple Whiskey ( I double the amount of Whiskey!
Excellent.
I substitute Splenda for white sugar and look for other sugar–free ingredients. The sugar-free ingredients do not change the taste of the sangria.
I loved this and so did my guests! It was the perfect blend of fruits and liquor. I’ll definitely make this again.
Substituted cherry herbal tea for cranberry tea, as none available in store. Could use wild berry too… Add 1 cup of frozen cranberies to the simple syrup tea mixture when cooking. then strain per directions after cooling. Cook another 1cup frozen cranberries in simple syrup (don’t allow berries to split open), cool, strain and then add to fruit mix for sangria. Added a lovely pop of color to the fruit. Add 1 cup gingerale to sangia before serving. Delicious! Crowd loved it….Will make again!
This was delicious! I made a double batch for Thanksgiving and there wasn’t a drop left! Like others, I could only find cranberry apple tea, but it worked great. And I also added some whole cranberries during the cooking part. But other than that, I stick to recipe. Will definitely make again for the holidays!
truly, it is THAT good
I made this for a work Christmas party at my house. It was absolutely delicious! I made it 1 day before and followed the instructions, except for adding a little more brandy. the apples really soaked it up, so watch out for that extra kick! Everyone loved it and it was very pretty and festive!
I did not care for this recipe. Made as described.
It was nice
What a great sangria for the Holidays! I looked for cranberry flavored tea at the store, but couldn’t find any, so I opted to use a “mixed berry” tea that I had on hand. It worked great! It made the house smell wonderful while the tea and spices were simmering. I am looking forward to making this again when we have guests. Loved it!
I made this punch this year for our annual cookie exchange and it was AMAZING! I doubled the recipe exactly, except for only adding 4 chopped apples. I also added cranberries and dried blueberries! The punch was loved by all!
I made a huge batch of this for a holiday party. Everyone loved it and were very impressed that I made it. I did not use the amount of fruit the recipe called for but I do think at least some is necessary. The apples lend a nice touch and the craisins create a lovely ruby red color at the bottom of your glass. Cooking the tea mixture also made the house smell really festive.
This would be great if you are looking for a spiced wine. Unfortunatley I should have realized that as I was adding the spices. As a Sangria I did not like this and would rate it a 1. As a mulled wine, I’d rate it a 5. Hence the mid road review. Made as written except I used only one apple. Four would be too much and the dried cranberrries did not do anything in regard to flavor or garnish since they sank to the bottom. (The reviewer who said Christmas in a glass had it right.)
This would be great if you are looking for a spiced wine. Unfortunatley I should have realized that as I was adding the spices. As a Sangria I did not like this and would rate it a 1. As a mulled wine, I’d rate it a 5. Hence the mid road review. Made as written except I used only one apple. Four would be too much and the dried cranberrries did not do anything in regard to flavor or garnish since they sank to the bottom. (The reviewer who said Christmas in a glass had it right.)
This sangria is awesome!! I also could not find apple brandy so I used apple liqueur which is sweeter then brandy so I reduced the sugar to 1/2 cup. I used cranberry pomegranate green tea because I could not find just cranberry tea. Very good recipe!!