Holiday Sangria: Winter White and Christmas Red

For a fresh spin on punch, try sangria. This wine punch is a cinch to make, adds a splash of worldly flavor to the holiday party, and with its fresh fruit and herbs is as healthy as a holiday libation can possibly be. Read on for two recipes: A festive red pomegranate sangria and an elegant white sangria with winter fruit.

Christmas Red Sangria with Pomegranate

2 bottles fruity red wine
1/2 cup brandy or cognac
1 cup pomegranate juice
1 large pomegranate
1 red Bartlett pear, cored and thinly sliced

1 orange, thinly sliced into rounds
1 cup red grapes, sliced in half lengthwise
1/3 cup honey
1 bunch fresh mint leaves, reserving some for garnish
1 bottle sparkling water (optional)

Combine ingredients except sparkling water in a glass pitcher and let sit at room temperature for one hour. Refrigerate for at least two hours, or overnight. Spoon some fruit into glasses and top with a splash of sparkling water (if using), garnish with mint.

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Winter White Sangria
This can be made with sparkling wine for a bubbly sangria. Yum. Make the recipe as is, but use only one bottle of still white wine (it will be very concentrated) to let the flavors develop, and then add a bottle of sparkling wine before serving.

2 bottles dry white wine
1 large grapefruit, thinly sliced into rounds
2 tangerines, thinly sliced into rounds
1 pear, cored and sliced
1 apple, cored and sliced
1 cup fruit nectar or juice of your choice
1 bunch fresh mint leaves, reserving some for garnish
1 bottle sparkling water (optional)

Combine ingredients except sparkling water in a glass pitcher and let sit at room temperature fro one hour. Refrigerate for at least two hours, or overnight. Spoon some fruit into glasses and top with a splash of sparkling water (if using), garnish with mint.

Read more: Food, All recipes, Drinks, brandy, cognac, pomegranate, sangria, wine punch