Winter Sangria with citrus & pomegranate

This year we have two parties leading up to New Year’s, then a blissful clear calendar on the 31st. I’m so looking forward to a non-hyped quiet night in, especially after the hustle and bustle of the holidays. The visiting -and feasting- has been wonderful, and I’ve been thrilled to host out-of-town family for a week, but Danny and I are very ready to put our feet up and exhale in a quiet house.

Last year we organized to have baby sitter, then bundled up (why is NYE always freezing?) and had a great evening out with friends, but I’m hesitant to leave Clara this year – or maybe I’m just using her as an excuse to stay in! Either way, we’re staying cozy this New Year’s Eve.

Danny’s stashed a bottle of champagne for midnight and I’m planning fondue for two and mini tourtière hand pies. In the meantime, though, we’ll be sipping on a dark and fruity winter sangria and nibbling maple spiced nuts as the hours count down.

I’m fond of a white summer sangria, flavored with sweet strawberries and honeydew, but this dark and delicious winter sangria rivals its summer counterpart. It’s perfumed with clementines and sliced pears, and garnished prettily with fresh pomegranate arils. It’s lovely served with a straw so you can sip and scoop up the wine-infused fruits.

This fruity winter sangria with citrus & pomegranate makes a great big batch, so you’re all set if you are entertaining on New Year’s Eve. It also keeps for a few days in the refrigerator, so if you don’t finish your pitcher, you can brighten it up with some sparkling water and serve it for New Year’s Day Brunch.

Winter Sangria with citrus & pomegranate

Sangria is a forgiving concoction, so don't be hesitant to make adaptions to this recipe. Almost any winter fruit will do - quince, tangerines, grapes - and although I used a delightful organic elderflower juice, pomegranate juice will work just as well. You can also add a 1/2 a cup of brandy or apple liquor to boost the sangria's alcohol content and complex flavour.
4.41 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Drinks
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 10 people
Calories: 182kcal
Author: Aimee

Ingredients

  • 1 pear washed, seeded and sliced
  • 4 clementines washed and sliced thinly
  • 1 apple washed, seeded and sliced
  • 1 cup pomegranate arils
  • 1/4 cup organic raw cane sugar
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 bottle red wine
  • 3 cups pomegranate juice or elderflower cordial
  • 1 cup orange juice ideally freshly squeezed
  • 1 litre ginger ale or club soda for serving
  • ice cubes

Instructions

  • In the bottom of a large glass pitcher or gallon jar, combine sliced fruit and pomegranate.
  • Sprinkle with cane sugar and toss in the cinnamon stick.
  • Pour the red wine and the fruit juices over the fruit.
  • Stir well, cover and refrigerate overnight or for at least 6 hours.
  • To serve, remove cinnamon stick, and pour over ice into glasses. Top with ginger ale or club soda to taste. Garnish with more pomegranate arils if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 182kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 435mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 60IU | Vitamin C: 30.1mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 0.6mg

 

If you’re hosting friends or family on the 31st, be sure to check out my ideas in the post 8 Fun & Simple Ways to Entertain on New Year’s Eve.

And if you are ringing in the new year with kids, these Pomegranate Sparklers are a simple, festive drink for all ages.

Have a safe and very happy New Year’s Eve!

What is your drink of choice to bring in the new year?

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Recipe Rating




27 Comments

  1. Hey, at least you’re planning to stay up until midnight! Eloise is usually asleep by 7 and we’re not far behind, considering she’s still up several times a night. So I’ve already resigned myself to sleeping through the new year. 🙂 As far as drinks go, I’ve been thinking about some prosecco over lemon sorbet with dinner. Maybe.

    Love this sangria, by the way. Pomegranate and orange are such a wonderful combination.

  2. 4 stars
    This looks so good, I’ve got nearly all the ingredients on hand, so I think we’ll give it a go this weekend 🙂 Now I just need to learn how to cut open a pomegranate!!

  3. We’re on the west coast, but we’ll be celebrating “New York New Years” at 9 PM. That’s late for the kids to stay up and we can watch the ball drop live. Plus, when we have friends over, it gets them home before the roads become too dangerous. This year, it might just be our family of 4 – I might recruit the kids to help me try Cinnamon Bunuelos for the first time. Not our heritage, but it seems like the perfect treat!

  4. 5 stars
    Sangria is a favorite around here, whether it’s made with white or red wine. We tend to stay in, simply because we’re both homebodies! After all the traveling we did for Christmas, I’m ready to just kick back with a bevvie and my boys. Happy New Year, Aimee!

  5. Mmmm, how I love Sangria! But I’ve never really made it myself. What kind of red wine would you recommend for this recipe?

  6. Yummy. Thank you. We are also staying in as it is our youngest sons birthday on December 31. He turns 6 this year. Since his arrival in our family at the age of 1 we have not wished to spend time away from him and especially on important days like his birthday. Like you we will have a bottle of bubbles at midnight and something adult to nibble after both boys are in bed. I will definitely make this sangria. Thanks again.

  7. 4 stars
    Thank you so much for posting this delicious treat. Sipping on it now as we ring in the New Year with dear dear friends. Happy New Years to you!

  8. I’m totally digging this seasonal sangria. And as much as I love pomegranate, I have to ask where you purchase elderflower cordial – that sounds amazing!

  9. I just re-stumbled upon this recipe and am so glad I did…just in time for a girls’ Christmas get together next weekend. It will be perfect for this sangria loving group – thank you!

  10. Aimée,

    Thanks for giving me the link to include in my upcoming Band Fruit Fundraiser Recipe Round Up! It will be published on 12/4/2013!

  11. 4 stars
    Made a double batch of this tonight for my husband’s Christmas work party and it was a hit! I have never made sangria myself so I was nervous but there was nothing left at the end of the party and everyone kept complimenting it! I’m pregnant so I couldn’t enjoy it but I will be making this after the baby comes, It is definitely a keeper!

    1. I was googling for a winter sangria for New Year’s Eve, and of course had to choose the Simple Bites link – you’ve never steered me wrong! Imagine my surprise when I went to save in on Delicious and found that I’d made it for New Year’s Eve 2012, and have tagged it “Delicious!” 🙂 thanks for all your encouragement to host “real” get-togethers. This year, adding the pomegranate sparklers for the kids.