Cranberry Sangria Champagne Cocktail

This Cranberry Sangria Champagne Cocktail recipe will be your “go-to” holiday party drink. It makes pitchers full for a crowd; it’s really easy to prepare; it’s even easier to drink. Plus, it’s so pretty and festive!

My friend, Pat, is always coming across fabulous recipes like this one; the best part is she’s always willing to share them with me! She served this Cranberry Sangria Champagne Cocktail at our Thanksgiving gathering and I loved it immediately!

She made up a huge pitcher to serve, but the boys opted for an icy cold beer. That was perfectly fine with us girls, since at the first sip we knew this was a winner! As the evening progressed, and the pitcher emptied, the boys decided they would try it too. They regretted not having any sooner!

It may look beautiful, and it does, but the best part about this drink is that it is every so tasty, without being overly sweet!

Whole fresh or frozen cranberries are cooked in water and a bit of sugar, just until the cranberries “pop”. That cranberry simple syrup is cooled then added to a pitcher with sangria (store-bought bottles are fine), some Campari (an Italian apéritif that is herbs and fruit in alcohol and water. It is a bitter characterized by its dark red color and really tempers the sweet of this drink), orange and apple slices. All of this can be made ahead to steep.

When ready to serve, strain off most of the fruit, add champagne and it’s time for a party!

You really need this for your holiday gatherings! Do try it! Please remember, when consuming alcoholic beverages, do so responsibly. Of course.

Cranberry Sangria Champagne Cocktail

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This Cranberry Sangria Champagne Cocktail recipe will be your "go-to" holiday party drink. It makes pitchers full for a crowd; it's really easy to prepare; it's even easier to drink. Plus, it's so pretty and festive!

Author: The Saucy Southerner via Southern Living

Recipe type: cocktail

Ingredients

2 cups frozen or fresh cranberries
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water 1 (750-ml.) bottle sangría, chilled
¼ cup (2 oz.) Campari
1 large navel orange, thinly sliced
1 large Granny Smith apple, thinly sliced
1 (750-ml.) bottle Brut Champagne, chilled

Instructions

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.
Remove from heat; cool 30 minutes.
Stir together sangría, Campari, and cooled cranberries with liquid in a large pitcher or a small punch bowl.
Add orange and apple slices. This can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator.
Just before serving, strain out most of the fruit, add Champagne.
Serve in fluted champagne glasses, with or without ice.

Notes

I made a double batch of the sangria mixture from this recipe and put it in the refrigerator. When I wanted to serve it, I poured enough to fill half a pitcher with the sangria mixture, then added champagne.

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