Non Alcoholic Christmas Sangria

The fruit starts to perfume the juice while the cinnamon stick quietly warms the whole pitcher. That’s the part I love about this Non Alcoholic Christmas Sangria: it looks festive before it’s even poured, and the flavor comes together while it chills instead of needing a last-minute stovetop step.

I keep the orange and apple thinly sliced so they’re easy to scoop into a glass and have plenty of surface exposed to the juices. Red grape juice gives the drink its deep color, while cranberry juice cocktail and orange juice round it out. Chilled sparkling water goes in at the end, so each glass stays bright and lively rather than tasting like flat juice.

Why the Sparkling Water Belongs at the Very End

The fruit and juice need time together, but bubbles don’t benefit from a long rest in the pitcher. Stirring sparkling water in before refrigeration would leave it sitting with the fruit for hours, and much of its lively fizz would disappear before serving. Keeping the base still during its chill gives the orange, apple, cranberries, and cinnamon time to mingle without spending the carbonation.

There’s also a useful balance here: the juice mixture is concentrated enough to taste full before it’s diluted, and the sparkling water lifts it into a lighter, more refreshing drink. Stir it in gently once the pitcher comes out of the refrigerator. A hard stir knocks out bubbles; a few slow turns combine the liquids while leaving the finished sangria with a soft sparkle. For the same reason, use sparkling water that’s already chilled, not a warm bottle from the pantry.

What Each Juice and Piece of Fruit Brings to the Pitcher

• Red grape juice — It supplies the deep red color and a rounded, fruity base. A familiar grocery-store juice works well; the cranberry and orange juices add enough contrast that a specialty bottle isn’t necessary.
• Cranberry juice cocktail — Its sweet-tart taste keeps the grape juice from reading as one-note. It’s not the same as unsweetened cranberry juice, which is much sharper; switching to the unsweetened kind would make the pitcher notably more tart.
• Orange juice — This connects the citrus slices to the juice base and softens the cranberry edge. Use juice you enjoy drinking on its own; there’s no need to buy a premium variety for a pitcher drink.
• Orange — Thin slices add a fresh citrus aroma as they rest in the liquid. Slice across the orange with a sharp knife, keeping the rounds even so they’re easy to lift out or serve.
• Apple — Its mild sweetness and crisp bite give the fruit in each glass a different texture from the soft citrus. Core it before slicing, and keep the slices thin enough to fit comfortably in a glass.
• Fresh cranberries — These bring tartness and a bright pop of color without disappearing into the juice. Choose firm berries; very soft ones are more likely to collapse during the chill.
• Cinnamon stick — It adds a gentle warm spice while the mixture rests. A whole stick is easy to remove before serving, unlike ground cinnamon, which would stay suspended in the drink.
• Chilled sparkling water — It lightens the juice blend and gives the finished pitcher its bubbles. Plain sparkling water keeps the fruit and juice in the foreground; flavored water would introduce an additional taste.

Build the Pitcher, Give It Time, Then Add the Bubbles

Slice the Fruit Thinly

Core the apple and slice it thinly, then cut the orange into thin rounds. Even slices sit neatly in the pitcher and are easier to serve than thick wedges. Add the fruit to the pitcher promptly after cutting; the juice mixture will surround it as soon as you stir. Keep the cranberries whole for a clear, tidy-looking pitcher.

Stir Together the Juice Base

Add the orange, apple, cranberries, cinnamon stick, red grape juice, cranberry juice cocktail, and orange juice to a 3-quart pitcher. Stir until the juices are combined and the fruit is distributed through the pitcher. Use a spoon that reaches the bottom, where slices can settle. The mixture should be still rather than foamy at this stage.

Let the Fruit Infuse in the Refrigerator

Cover the pitcher and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours and up to 8 hours. That resting time gives the sliced fruit and cinnamon a chance to share their flavor with the juices. Keep the pitcher covered so the drink stays cold and doesn’t pick up refrigerator odors. Don’t add the sparkling water during this rest.

Finish Gently and Serve

Remove the cinnamon stick once the pitcher has chilled. Pour in the chilled sparkling water and stir gently, using just enough turns to combine it with the juice. Add the sparkling water close to serving so the finished drink keeps its fizz. Pour into glasses with some of the fruit for color and a little bite.

Two Simple Ways to Change the Texture of the Pitcher

Questions That Come Up Before Pouring Christmas Sangria

Non Alcoholic Christmas Sangria

Non alcoholic Christmas sangria combines red grape juice, cranberry juice cocktail, and orange juice with fresh fruit and cinnamon. Chill the mixture for at least 2 hours, then add sparkling water for a bright, bubbly finish.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Chilling time 2 hours hrs

Total Time 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Drink

Cuisine: American

Calories: 130

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 orange medium, thinly sliced
• 1 apple medium, cored and thinly sliced
• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 cups red grape juice
• 2 cups cranberry juice cocktail
• 1 cup orange juice
• 2 cups sparkling water chilled

Equipment

• 1 3-quart pitcher

Method

 

1. Add the orange, apple, cranberries, cinnamon stick, red grape juice, cranberry juice cocktail, and orange juice to a 3-quart pitcher.
2. Stir to combine.
3. Cover the pitcher.
4. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 8 hours.
5. Remove the cinnamon stick.
6. Gently stir in the chilled sparkling water.
7. Serve.

Notes

For the best bubbles, add the sparkling water just before serving. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 2 days; not suitable for freezing. For a less-sweet version, use unsweetened cranberry juice instead of cranberry juice cocktail.