Food and Recipes Drinks Cocktails Cranberry Sangría Punch 5.0 (1) Add your rating & review This cranberry punch is a holiday favorite for a reason. By Karen Schroeder-Rankin Karen Schroeder-Rankin Karen Rankin is a chef, recipe developer, and food stylist with over 25 years experience cooking, developing recipes, styling food, and entertaining guests at her table and in restaurants. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on July 30, 2024 Recipe tested by Southern Living Test Kitchen Recipe tested by Southern Living Test Kitchen The Southern Living Test Kitchen has been publishing recipes since 1970, four years after the first issue of Southern Living Magazine appeared on newsstands. The Southern Living Test Kitchen team includes a team of professionals with deep expertise in recipe development, from pastry chefs and grilling experts to nutritionists and dietitians. Together, the team tests and retests, produces, styles, and photographs thousands of recipes each year in the state-of-the-art test kitchen facility located in Birmingham, Alabama. Learn more about the Southern Living Test Kitchen Rate PRINT Share Active Time: 20 mins Total Time: 40 mins Servings: 10 This wintry, ruby-red cranberry sangria punch is a staff favorite but comes with a warning: It goes down easy. You can make it a day ahead to make your life that much easier, and just add the Champagne right before serving. Even though cranberries are usually reserved for holidays, you'll be very tempted to make this punch all year long. This fruity drink has a beautiful jewel tone color, so it's a picture-perfect addition to any holiday bar. Serve this sangria drink in a festive punch bowl or large pitcher, and make sure to have plenty of apple and orange slices available to guests for garnishing. Learn how to make this cranberry punch. All of our Test Kitchen professionals agreed that the cranberry sangria punch is so delicious that you could easily overindulge, but we think your lineup of holiday appetizers and snacks will more than make up for it. Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless What Is Sangria? Sangria is a traditional Spanish and Portuguese drink that combines wine with fruits, sweeteners, spirits, or other additions for a fruity, refreshing punch. While red wine is the most common base for the drink, it can also be made with a combination of wines, as well as white, rosé, or sparkling wine. It can also be prepared with whole or cut seasonal fruits in the mix, including cranberries, apples, or pears in the fall and winter, or fresh berries, grapes, or peaches in the spring and summer. Using what you have on hand, you can easily whip up a batch to suit your preferences. Peach Sangria Is The Summer Party Drink Why This Cranberry Punch Is Perfect for the Holidays With its vibrant red color and seasonal flavor profile, this cranberry sangria punch is just made for celebrating the holiday season. Cooked cranberries break down to infuse the punch with a rosy red hue, with bits of fruit left in the drink to add a pop of tanginess throughout. Using bottled sangria has the benefit of making this punch a breeze to throw together and perfect for serving a large crowd, while also imparting a complex, fruity flavor to the drink. A garnish of fresh apple and orange slices adds even more seasonal flair to the drink, while a final flourish of Champagne gives it an effervescent touch perfect for holiday celebrations. Best of all? You can even prepare it a day in advance. Trust us—you're going to love this one. Ingredients for Cranberry Sangria Punch A flavorful blend of tangy cranberries, rich sangria, citrusy Campari, and bubbly Champagne makes this punch go down a little too easy. To make cranberry sangria punch, you'll need: Frozen or fresh cranberries: The defining ingredient of the drink, cranberries add a vibrant color and tart, fruity flavor.Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cooked cranberries to enhance and balance their flavor.Water: Dilutes the cooked cranberry mixture.Sangria: Pairs with Champagne as the alcohol base of the drink, while adding complexity and depth.Campari: Adds a bitter, herbal note to help balance the punch. It's available in liquor stores with the aperitifs.Naval orange and Granny Smith apple: For a bright, fresh flavor, as well as visual interest.Brut Champagne: For an effervescent, refreshing touch. Be sure to use Brut Champagne, not Prosecco, as it could make this fruity drink too sweet. Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless What Type of Champagne Is Best for Sangria Punch? Balancing the complexity of cooked cranberries, sangria, Campari, and fresh fruit, Champagne adds a refreshing lightness to this punch. Choosing a Champagne that isn't too sweet is key to keep the balance of the drink intact. A dry, versatile sparkling wine like Brut or Cava, or a crisp sparkling wine should be a good fit. Avoid using prosecco, which could make the drink just too sweet. No matter what type of bubbly you choose, make sure to chill it before adding to the punch, and only add it right before serving for that effervescent touch. Cranberry Sangria Punch Variations To add your own unique twist to this festive sangria punch, consider these variation ideas: Cranberries: If you just don't love cranberries, swap with other types of fruits, including raspberries, blackberries, or red currants for a fun twist. Sweeteners: Sweeten the cooked fruit mixture with honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar for a unique flavor profile. Sangria: Make your own sangria instead of using a bottled version, if preferred. Campari: Swap with Aperol for a more citrusy flavor, or Select Aperitivo for a complex, slightly spicy touch. Fruit garnishes: Swap the apples and oranges for any cut fruits you prefer, including cherries, mixed berries, additional frozen cranberries, and more. Holiday touch: Add a festive touch by garnishing the punch with cinnamon sticks or sugared cranberries. How To Make Cranberry Sangria Punch Simply cook the cranberries until they start to pop, and you're halfway there. Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started: Step 1. Boil cranberries: Bring cranberries, sugar, and water to a boil in a saucepan. Cook until cranberries begin to pop. Cool 30 minutes.Step 2. Mix sangria, Campari, and cranberry mixture: In a pitcher or punch bowl, stir together sangria, Campari, and cranberry mixture. Add orange and apple slices.Step 3. Add Champagne: When ready to serve, add Champagne.Step 4. Pour and serve: Serve over ice. Can I Make Cranberry Sangria Punch Ahead? This punch can be prepared up to one day before serving, so you can check one item off of your holiday party prep list. To prepare in advance, mix the sangria, Campari, and cranberry mixture as directed in Step 2. Wrap and refrigerate overnight. Give a quick stir in the morning, adding the fresh orange and apple slices. When ready to serve, add Champagne. What To Serve With Cranberry Sangria Punch This vibrant, fruit-forward cocktail is the perfect sipper for a holiday party, especially when paired with savory appetizers. Start the party off with a pitcher of this punch, to serve with a cheese platter, charcuterie board, spiced nuts, or your favorite holiday bites. You can even enjoy this cocktail as you enjoy your main course, whether you're serving roasted turkey or chicken, honey-glazed ham, stuffed pork tenderloin, or other holiday entrees and sides. Or, hold off and serve this fruity punch with dessert, pairing with cheesecake, a fruit tart, white chocolate fondue, and more. 50 Holiday Finger Foods To Serve At Every Party This Season More Holiday-Worthy Cocktail Recipes You'll Love When it's time to celebrate, these classic and festive cocktail recipes are here to help you do just that: Party Punch Sparkling Punch Gingerbread Martini Cherry Blossom Cocktail Retro Rum Punch Mississippi Bourbon Punch Hot Toddy White Chocolate Martini Ingredients 2 cups frozen or fresh cranberries 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup water 1 (750-ml.) bottle sangría, chilled 1/4 cup (2 oz.) Campari 1 large navel orange, thinly sliced 1 large Granny Smith apple, thinly sliced 1 (750-ml.) bottle brut Champagne, chilled Directions Boil cranberries: Combine cranberries, sugar, and water in a medium saucepan over medium-high; bring to a boil, stirring often until sugar dissolves and berries just begin to pop, about 3 to 4 minutes. Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless Remove from heat; cool 30 minutes. Mix wine, Campari, and cranberry mixture: Stir together sangría, Campari, and cooled cranberries with liquid in a large pitcher or a small punch bowl. Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless Add orange and apple slices. Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless Add Champagne: Just before serving, add Champagne. Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless Pour and serve: Serve over ice with a few pieces of fruit in each glass. Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless Frequently Asked Questions Do I strain out the cranberries when making this sangria punch? The cooked cranberries are not strained out, but you can strain and only use the cranberry syrup in the drink, if preferred. How long can you store cranberry sangria punch? Once the Champagne has been added, the punch may start to lose its bubbles rather quickly. You can still enjoy it for up to three days, with the benefit of having the flavors deepen over time. Top off with sparkling water or additional Champagne before serving, if desired. What type of glassware is best for serving cranberry sangria punch? You can serve this punch in red wine glasses, stemless wine glasses, highball glasses, mason jars, or any glasses you prefer. Should frozen cranberries be thawed before making cranberry sangria punch? There's no need to thaw frozen cranberries before using in this recipe. Rate It Print