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Christmas Sangria

Overview

Sangria at Christmas!  It works.  Really well.  This recipe delivers the fruity, easy-drinking pleasures of Sangria with enough holiday flavors put you in festive spirits (ahem, so to speak).  It features a pairing of cinnamon (what else?) elderflower that is particularly delightful.

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St. Germain (pronounced jer-Maine) is a popular elderflower liqueur that should be stocked at your local liquor store.  I usually don’t like to promote drinks that will require you to buy a bottle of something you only need a few ounces of.  But as anyone who has had St. Germain will tell you, it is a very versatile mixer (a splash of it in a glass of champagne does wonders), and a worthy addition to your home bar.

 

The fruit you add is very much open to interpretation, I’ve included some suggestions below.  As always, the longer the fruit soaks, the more flavor will be extracted.  But don’t overthink it.  The point of this recipe is to be tasty, easy to throw together, and enjoyed with loved ones.  Drink and be merry!

Recipe - Makes 8-12 servings

 

  • 1 bottle Red wine - ideally a fuller-bodied like Cab or Malbec

  • 8 oz Reposado tequila

  • 6 oz orange juice

  • 4 oz cinnamon syrup

  • 4 oz St. Germain

  • 2 oz lemon juice

  • 2 cups ice

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  1. Combine all ingredients in a pitcher or punch bowl.  Add chopped fruit of your choice, apples, pears, and orange slices work well.  Add the ice a few minutes before serving.  

  2. Garnish with 1 long grapefruit peel, expressing some of the oils before dropping in, and grated nutmeg.

  3. Ladle/pour into glasses over ice.

  4. If you can, garnishing each glass with an additional grapefruit peel, cinnamon stick, or rosemary sprig is a nice touch.

Christmas Sangria Master 2.jpg

Spirit options

Reposado tequila is best in this recipe, which is tequila that’s been aged between 1 month to 1 year.  Do not confuse this with gold or joven tequila, those are artificially colored and often flavored and much lower quality.   Blanco tequila works as well.  As always, whenever using tequila it should say 100% agave on the label. Other spirits like brandy, bourbon, or aged rum, can also stand in for tequila.

If you make some Christmas Sangria,

let me see!  Tag a photo with @socialhourcocktails on Instagram.

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