Skip to main content

Repurpose Your Red Wine with Winter Sangria

red wine hot chocolate
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Sangria is pure fun in the glass, a mix of fruit and wine and herbs that, if made correctly, can fit any month of the year. Folks don’t normally associate the drink with winter, but that’s because they don’t know what they’re doing. Here, we’ll transition the Portuguese and Spanish beverage into something you’ll want on hand even when the snow starts to fall.

Related Reading

A quick note on sangria. The Iberian treat can be made with red or white wine spanning many grape varieties. In the winter, you’ll likely want to go red, as it tends to be a bit heavier and pairs better with a lot of the warm baking spices and herbs of the season. But a well-selected white or even pink wine can do the trick, too. We’ve offered a few suggestions for each recipe below. If you want to play it safe, have some meaty reds at the ready, like Tannat, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Merlot.

Keep in mind that these are just templates, worth following but also tweaking to your liking. Sangria welcomes so much in terms of added complementary ingredients, so make sure your spice rack is full and that you have some other boozy treats, like brandy, port, and Grand Marnier. Here are a few cocktail recipes, including one warm version with chocolate made especially for the chilliest of nights.

Lillet Rouge Spiced Sangria

Lillet Spiced Sangria.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Blending fresh juice, orange liqueur, and a certain French aperitif, this sangria recipe from Lillet involves no wine technically, but you’d never know based on the flavors. Add a splash of Rosé if you feel so inclined.

Ingredients:

  • 1 bottle Lillet Rouge
  • .5 cup Grand Marnier
  • 1 cup cold-pressed apple juice
  • 3 ounces fresh lemon juice
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 apple sliced
  • 1 pear sliced

Method:

Combine all ingredients in a pitcher with a large block of ice. Garnish with fresh orange.

Fresh Victor Winter Sangria

Fresh Victory Winter Sangria.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

This cold-weather sangria courtesy of Fresh Victor mixes up colorful pomegranate and prickly pear cactus with some soothing herbs and spices to excellent results.

Ingredients:

  • 2 parts red wine (for lighter, try Beaujolais, heavier try Grenache or Rioja)
  • 1 part Fresh Victor Cactus Pear & Pomegranate Mixer
  • Cinnamon stick, rosemary, apple slices, and blood orange for garnish

Method:

Place fruit slices in cup and add the mixer and wine. Garnish with cinnamon stick, citrus wedge, and herbs.

Campo Viejo Traditional Sangria

Sangria
Image used with permission by copyright holder

A pleasant mix of Spanish red wine, Cognac, citrus, and some sweetness, this more traditional take is reliably tasty. The recipe was provided by Campo Viejo.

Ingredients:

  • 5 parts Campo Viejo Garnacha
  • 1 part Cognac
  • .25 part sugar
  • .25 part lemon juice
  • .5 part orange juice

Method:

Combine all liquids and stir until sugar dissolves. Add fruit and let rest 15-30 minutes. Pour over ice and garnish with fresh fruit.

Hot Chocolate with Red Wine

red wine hot chocolate
Johanna Frenkel

This recipe, courtesy of Home Cooking Adventure, makes about one to two servings, so add or subtract proportions as you will.

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup red wine (go with. Malbec)
  • 4 teaspoon sugar
  • 3 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 cup milk
  • Pinch of salt
  • Cinnamon sticks (optional)
  • Whipped cream (optional)

Method:

Bring your wine to a simmer over low heat, adding any mulling spices you’d like. Keep in mind that alcohol burns off around 173 degrees. So, if you don’t have a way to check the temperature, heating the wine first will only reduce the alcohol level. You could also add the wine over the cocoa and milk mixture, and bring everything to a boil if preferred. Meanwhile, combine your cocoa powder with sugar and salt in a separate bowl. Add a splash of milk and stir well to combine. Then, add the rest of the milk, stir well, and pour over the wine. Whisk (or stir) while bringing to a light boil. Once it reaches your desired temperature, pour into your favorite mugs, garnish with whipped cream and cinnamon sticks, then indulge in your new favorite holiday drink!

Editors' Recommendations

Mark Stock
Mark Stock is a writer from Portland, Oregon. He fell into wine during the Recession and has been fixated on the stuff since…
The Best Hot Chocolate Cocktail Recipes
Red Wine Hot Chocolate in mug.

We're not going to argue the fact that hot chocolate is glorious on its own, especially on a cool and crisp evening. But we love it even more when included in one of these hot cocktail recipes, as you get a one-two punch of comfort via the warm chocolate and hooch. Hot chocolate cocktail recipes are more than just throwing in a splash of Bailey's or dark rum in your mug of instant cocoa; we think you deserve something even better.

Think complimentary flavors like coconut and banana as well as suitable spirits like brandy and vodka. Hot chocolate may seem like a kid thing (and drinking it should, by all means, make you feel like one), but you can give it the bona fide adult treatment in style. Get the marshmallows ready and stoke the fire, these are the best hot chocolate cocktails to take the sting out of the cold.
Rum and Caramel Spiked Hot Cocoa
This one involves some labor, but the results are well worth it. If you're stuck on time (or effort), simply use pre-made hot cocoa and whipped cream.

Read more
How to Make Hot Chocolate Bombs
red mug filled with hot cocoa, marshmallows, and a candy cane sitting next to a plate of Christmas cookies.

Nothing screams of the cozy winter holiday season more than a mug of creamy, rich hot chocolate. While you can certainly go the conventional route and stir together your favorite powdered mix in warm milk, if you want to kick things up a notch and elevate your hot chocolate game this winter, you can make fun hot chocolate bombs with a few easy steps.
Hot chocolate bombs are delicious spheres of hot chocolate mix and mini marshmallows encased in a luscious chocolate shell. When you drop one in your mug and then pour steaming milk over the top, the hot chocolate sphere starts to melt, releasing the mix and marshmallows into your mug. With a few stirs, you have your creamy, dreamy mug of hot cocoa. It’s a fun way to enjoy the same nostalgic drink, and you can customize your hot chocolate spheres with different fillings and types of chocolate used in the shell. They also make great gifts or party treats when you’re entertaining around the holidays.
Curious to try your hand at making hot chocolate spheres? You’ll just need a silicone mold to form the spheres and a few simple ingredients.

Hot Chocolate Bombs Recipe
Equipment needed

Read more
The 3 Best Scotch Breakfast Cocktail Recipes to Kickstart Your Morning
A refreshing glass of Miami Godfather on a table.

When you think of breakfast cocktails, you probably think of light, spritzy classics such as the mimosa, Bellini, or even the Bloody Mary. We love these traditional breakfast staples, but right now, we’ve been complementing our breakfast with an unconventional spirit -- Scotch.

While Scotch is an odd beverage to drink in the morning, mixing it in a cocktail with the right ingredients makes the smoky whisky a fine pair to pancakes and eggs. That said, here are the best Scotch breakfast cocktail recipes you can make at home to supercharge your fall mornings and overcome your fear of mixing Scotch with other ingredients.
Red Tartan

Read more