10 Thanksgiving Sangria Recipes (Red, White, Rosé & Cider Twists)
When it comes to Thanksgiving, I’ve learned that the drinks matter almost as much as the food. Between the big meal, the catching up, and the long day of cooking, having something festive and ready to pour makes hosting a lot easier. That’s why I always turn to sangria.
The beauty of sangria is that it does the work for you—you can make it ahead of time, scale it up for a crowd, and play with seasonal flavors. Cranberries, apples, pears, pomegranate, spices, even maple syrup—everything we love about fall can fit into a pitcher of sangria.
Over the years, I’ve experimented with different versions, and I’ve narrowed it down to 10 that always work. Some are red and cozy, others are white and crisp, there’s even a bubbly rosé twist and a non-alcoholic option. Whether you like your sangria warm, chilled, or sparkling, there’s a pitcher here ready for your table.
Red Sangrias for a Cozy Table
When I think sangria, I usually picture red wine first—it’s bold, fruity, and always feels right for cooler weather. At Thanksgiving, I like to give my red sangrias a seasonal twist with cranberries, oranges, and warm spices. These two versions are my go-tos: one is bright and citrusy, the other is mulled and best served warm in mugs.
1. Cranberry-Orange Red Sangria
This one is a crowd-pleaser. The cranberry keeps it tart, the oranges add sweetness, and the cinnamon gives it just enough holiday spice. It’s refreshing but still feels festive.
Ingredients:
- 1 (750 ml) bottle dry red wine (Spanish tempranillo, garnacha, or cabernet blend)
- 1 cup cranberry juice (100% juice for tartness, cocktail for sweetness)
- ½ cup brandy
- ¼ cup orange liqueur (Cointreau, Triple Sec, or Grand Marnier)
- ¼–½ cup maple syrup or simple syrup (adjust to taste)
- 1 orange, sliced into wheels
- 1 apple, thinly sliced
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- Optional: 1 cup soda water or sparkling wine for topping
- Ice
Steps:
- In a large pitcher, combine wine, cranberry juice, and brandy.
- Add orange slices, cranberries, and cinnamon sticks.
- Chill at least 4 hours (overnight is best).
- Add sparkling water just before serving, if you like some fizz.
This one always looks beautiful on the table with the floating orange slices and cranberries. I make it every year, and there are never leftovers.
2. Mulled Red Sangria (Warm)
This is the sangria I make when the house is chilly, and I want everyone to feel cozy. It’s like mulled wine but with that fruity sangria twist.
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle dry red wine
- 1 cup apple cider
- ½ cup brandy
- 2 apples, sliced
- 1 orange, sliced
- 4 cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional, for sweetness)
Steps:
- In a large saucepan, combine wine, cider, and brandy.
- Add fruit, cloves, and cinnamon.
- Warm gently over low heat for 20–25 minutes (don’t boil).
- Sweeten with honey or maple syrup to taste.
- Serve warm in mugs, with extra fruit slices for garnish.
This one feels more like a hug in a cup. I’ve served it while everyone’s waiting for dinner to finish, and it’s always a hit.
White Sangrias with Fall Fruit
White sangria doesn’t get as much attention as red, but I think it’s perfect for Thanksgiving. It’s crisp, slightly lighter, and pairs beautifully with fall fruits like pears and apples. These three variations each have their own personality: one’s elegant with pears, one’s sweetened with maple, and one’s spiced like chai tea.
3. Spiced Pear White Sangria
This is the sangria I make when I want something a little more elegant. The pear flavor is subtle but refreshing, and the star anise floating in the pitcher makes it look fancy without any effort.
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle dry white wine (Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
- 1 cup pear nectar (or pear juice)
- ½ cup brandy
- 2 ripe pears, thinly sliced
- 2–3 star anise pods
- 1 cinnamon stick
Steps:
- In a pitcher, combine white wine, pear nectar, and brandy.
- Add sliced pears, star anise, and cinnamon stick.
- Chill for at least 2 hours.
- Serve over ice with extra pear slices for garnish.
It’s light, spiced, and looks like something you’d get at a fancy dinner party.
4. Maple Cranberry White Sangria
This is my personal favorite. Instead of sugar, I use maple syrup to sweeten the sangria—it blends perfectly with tart cranberries and gives it that cozy, fall touch.
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle dry white wine
- 2 cups cranberry juice
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- ½ cup orange liqueur (like Cointreau or Triple Sec)
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 2–3 sprigs fresh rosemary
Steps:
- Stir together wine, cranberry juice, maple syrup, and orange liqueur in a pitcher.
- Add cranberries and rosemary.
- Chill at least 4 hours before serving.
The rosemary sprigs make this look so festive—like a holiday centerpiece in a glass.
5. Chai-Spiced White Sangria
If you like chai lattes, this one’s for you. Instead of adding just cinnamon or cloves, I infuse the sangria with chai tea concentrate. The result is warming but still crisp.
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle dry white wine
- 1 cup apple cider
- ½ cup chai tea concentrate
- 1 apple, thinly sliced
- 1 orange, thinly sliced
- 2 cinnamon sticks
Steps:
- Combine wine, apple cider, and chai tea concentrate in a pitcher.
- Add sliced apple, orange, and cinnamon sticks.
- Chill 2–4 hours before serving.
It tastes like fall spices in a glass—but not too heavy. I’ve even served it with Thanksgiving dessert, and it pairs beautifully with pie.
Apple & Cider Sangrias
If there’s one flavor that screams fall, it’s apple cider. Mixing it into sangria makes the drink feel instantly seasonal. These two versions go in different directions—one’s bold with bourbon, the other’s light and sparkling. I like to serve both if I’m hosting a big group so everyone has an option.
6. Apple Cider Bourbon Sangria
This one is strong, cozy, and perfect if you’ve got whiskey lovers at the table. The bourbon adds warmth, while the cider keeps it fresh and fruity.
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle dry white wine (Chardonnay works well)
- 2 cups apple cider
- ½ cup bourbon
- 2 apples, thinly sliced
- 1 orange, sliced
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- Optional: ginger beer for topping
Steps:
- In a pitcher, combine wine, cider, and bourbon.
- Add fruit slices and cinnamon sticks.
- Chill at least 2 hours.
- Top with a splash of ginger beer before serving for extra kick.
It’s a little boozy, a little spicy, and always a conversation starter at the table.
7. Sparkling Cran-Apple Sangria
If the bourbon sangria is cozy, this one is festive and bubbly. It’s crisp, light, and looks beautiful with cranberries floating in the glass.
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle sparkling wine (Brut or Cava)
- 2 cups apple cider
- 1 cup cranberry juice
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1 apple, thinly sliced
- Optional: splash of club soda for extra bubbles
Steps:
- In a large pitcher, combine apple cider and cranberry juice.
- Stir in cranberries and apple slices.
- Just before serving, add chilled sparkling wine.
- Top with club soda if you want even more fizz.
This is the sangria I bring out when we’re toasting before dinner. It’s bright, refreshing, and feels celebratory without being too heavy.
Rosé & Bubbly Twists
Rosé and sparkling wines aren’t just for summer—they can be dressed up for fall with the right fruits and flavors. These sangrias look beautiful on the table and taste just as festive as the reds and ciders. They’re great if you want something a little less heavy but still full of Thanksgiving flair.
8. Pomegranate Rosé Sangria
This sangria is as gorgeous as it is tasty. The pomegranate gives it a tart punch and that deep pink color that makes every glass look special.
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle rosé wine
- 1 cup pomegranate juice
- ½ cup orange liqueur (like Triple Sec)
- 1 cup pomegranate seeds
- 1 orange, thinly sliced
Steps:
- In a pitcher, combine rosé, pomegranate juice, and orange liqueur.
- Add pomegranate seeds and orange slices.
- Chill at least 2 hours before serving.
This one’s my go-to when I want something that looks impressive with zero effort.
9. Ginger-Pear Prosecco Sangria
If I had to pick one “fancy” sangria, this would be it. The pear keeps it delicate, and the ginger adds just enough spice. Using prosecco makes it light and bubbly.
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle prosecco (chilled)
- ½ cup ginger liqueur (or ginger beer if you want less alcohol)
- 2 ripe pears, thinly sliced
- Fresh thyme sprigs for garnish
Steps:
- In a pitcher, combine prosecco and ginger liqueur.
- Add pear slices and thyme sprigs.
- Serve immediately while it’s still bubbly.
This one feels elegant, like something you’d sip at a holiday brunch, but it works beautifully for Thanksgiving dinner too.
Non-Alcoholic Sangria Option
Not everyone at the table drinks alcohol, and I’ve found that offering a festive mocktail makes everyone feel included. This apple-cranberry version has all the flavors of Thanksgiving, and the sparkling water gives it that celebratory fizz.
10. NA Apple-Cran Sangria
This is the drink my kids always ask for at Thanksgiving. It’s colorful, refreshing, and looks just like the grown-up sangrias.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cranberry juice
- 2 cups apple cider
- 1 cup sparkling water (or ginger ale for sweetness)
- 1 apple, thinly sliced
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 cinnamon stick
Steps:
- In a pitcher, combine cranberry juice and apple cider.
- Add apple slices, orange slices, and cinnamon stick.
- Chill at least 1 hour.
- Stir in sparkling water just before serving.
It’s fruity, lightly spiced, and festive—perfect for kids, designated drivers, or anyone who just wants something refreshing.
Wrap-Up
Sangria is one of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions because it takes the stress out of serving drinks. You can make a big pitcher ahead of time, let the fruit and spices infuse, and just pour when guests arrive. Whether you go with a bold red, a crisp white, a sparkling rosé, or a cozy cider version, there’s a sangria here for every mood and every guest.
And don’t forget the non-alcoholic option—it always makes the table feel more welcoming.
So grab your favorite bottle, slice up some fruit, and let one of these sangrias take its place alongside the turkey and pie this year. Trust me, your guests will thank you. 🍷🍎🍐🍊
