When I think of sangria, I think of a red drink that is fruity and sweet, but this holiday variation is so much more. The longer the sangria sits in your refrigerator before serving, the more time the fruit has to absorb all the tantalizing flavors. Imagine the apples and cranberries bursting in your mouth with every bite. The aroma alone welcomes the holiday spirit this time of year brings. For a non-alcoholic version, you can make the sangria without the wine, instead using only the sparkling apple cider.
May this holiday bring you all that is good and kind with the warmth of family and friends.
Holiday Sangria
Ingredients
2 bottles Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay
3/4 cup sparkling apple cider
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup cranberries, halved
3/4 cup cranberries, whole
1 Granny Smith apple, chopped
3 rosemary sprigs
Anise whole stars, for garnish
Directions
Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher and stir together with a wooden spoon until all the sugar has dissolved. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving. Serve chilled or over ice.
Lucia Schnitzer and her husband, Ken, own Pomelo (a full-service restaurant), Luci’s at The Orchard and Splurge (a candy and ice cream shop), all at The Orchard Phx, 7100 N 12th Street, Phoenix. They also own Luci’s Healthy Marketplace, 1590 E Bethany Home Road, Phoenix, which they opened in 2009 in Lucia’s honor after her successful battle with breast cancer.
