Holiday Sangria Recipe (White Christmas Sangria with Vodka)

This white wine holiday sangria recipe is the easiest big-batch cocktail you'll make all season. It takes about 10 minutes to throw together, and then the fridge does the rest of the work for you.

This holiday sangria recipe is a white wine and vodka sangria made with grapefruit juice, orange juice, and fresh fruit, finished with a splash of sparkling water. It's built for holiday parties because you make the whole pitcher ahead of time and let it sit in the fridge, so there's nothing to do when guests arrive except pour. It serves 6, doubles easily for a crowd, and can be made red or white depending on what wine you have on hand. If you're hosting this season and want a make-ahead drink that still feels festive, this is the one.

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You'll love this holiday sangria recipe.

It's easy to make. You mix everything in a pitcher, let it sit, and pour it over ice when your guests show up. There's no bartending required once the party starts.

It's delicious. A dry white wine like Pinot Grigio keeps this from tasting too sweet, and the grapefruit and orange juice give it a fresh, citrusy backbone.

It's festive. Fresh cranberries, orange slices, and green apple floating in a white wine sangria just look like the holidays. It's the kind of drink that gets photographed before it gets poured.

What is sangria?

Sangria is a wine-based mixed drink that started in Spain. The color depends on the wine: red wine makes red sangria, white wine makes white sangria. Beyond the wine, most recipes build in a few other categories of ingredients.

• A flavored liqueur, like triple sec, peach liqueur, or apple brandy
• Fresh fruit, like citrus, green apple, or strawberries
• A sweetener, like sugar or honey
• A splash of fruit juice, like orange juice

You might also like this bourbon cranberry cocktail if you're building out a holiday drink menu.

Ingredients

White Wine. I use a dry white here, usually Pinot Grigio. It's the least sweet option, and it pairs well with the triple sec and citrus juices without fighting them.

Vodka. Plain vodka, nothing flavored. The fruit and wine already bring plenty of flavor, so I keep the vodka simple.

Triple Sec. This is an orange liqueur. Grand Marnier works too if that's what's in your bar cart. Either bottle is worth having around since you'll use it in margaritas and cosmos too.

Grapefruit Juice. Citrus is in season right now, so I take advantage of it. Fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice makes a real difference here if you have a few extra minutes.

Orange Juice. This rounds out the grapefruit juice and softens its tartness. Like the grapefruit juice, fresh-squeezed is worth it if you can swing it.

Sparkling Water. The wine and juice combination is fairly sweet on its own, so I top each glass with sparkling water, club soda, or diet ginger ale to lighten it up and add some fizz.

Best white wine for sangria

The wine matters more than any other ingredient here, since you're drinking a full glass of it. Pick something you'd be happy drinking on its own.

• Pinot Grigio
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Chardonnay

I default to Pinot Grigio because it's dry and doesn't compete with the citrus juices, but any of these three will work.

How to make this holiday sangria recipe

This is meant to be made ahead, so you can have it ready in the fridge before a single guest walks in the door.

1. Add the white wine, vodka, triple sec, grapefruit juice, and orange juice to a large glass pitcher.
2. Add in orange slices, green apple slices, and fresh cranberries.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
4. Pour over ice and top with sparkling water right before serving.

Can you make this holiday sangria recipe with red wine?

Yes. Swap in a red wine with low tannins, like Pinot Noir or Merlot. Skip the grapefruit juice and use 12 oz of orange juice instead. Everything else in the recipe stays the same.

Tips for the best holiday sangria

Don't skip the bubbly. Whether it's soda water, ginger ale, or prosecco, that fizz on top makes a real difference in the final drink.

Give it time to sit. The wine, juice, and liquor need a few hours together in the fridge for the flavors to actually combine. Don't rush this step.

Load up on fruit. In-season fruit adds color and flavor, and it's a good way to use what's fresh right now.

Only use wine you'd drink on its own. If you wouldn't want a glass of it by itself, don't pour it into the pitcher.

FAQs

How far in advance can you make holiday sangria?

You can make this up to 48 hours before serving. If your schedule allows it, making it the day before and letting it sit overnight gives you the best flavor.

Is vodka or brandy better in sangria?

It depends on the wine. Brandy works well in red wine sangria, while vodka is the better match for a white wine sangria like this one.

What's the best fruit to add to sangria?

Citrus fruit, pomegranate seeds, red apples, green apples, and strawberries are my go-to choices for adding color and flavor.

How many drinks does this holiday sangria recipe make?

This recipe makes about 6 drinks. It's easy to double or triple for a bigger party; just scale up every ingredient at the same ratio.

How strong is holiday sangria?

It's on the stronger side since it combines a full bottle of wine with a cup of vodka and triple sec. Serve it over ice and expect it to pour more like a cocktail than a glass of wine.

Amazon home bar finds

You'll absolutely want a large pitcher or punch bowl to serve this in! 

Also, what's more fun than festive glasses to serve holiday cocktails in? 

Pin it for later!

Want more festive cocktail recipes?

• Holiday Cocktails with Skrewball
• 10 Christmas Cocktails with Gin
• Mistletoe Margarita on the Rocks
• 15 Peppermint Schnapps Drinks