Planning the perfect Thanksgiving menu takes a lot of time, and finding good drink options that please everyone is tough. You want something special but not too complex.

I’ve got an amazing fall-themed sangria recipe that will make your guests smile. This fruity, spiced drink blends the tastes of autumn with the ease of make-ahead prep. I love how it lets me spend more time with my family instead of mixing drinks all evening.

The best part? You can put it together the night before, so there’s one less thing to worry about on the big day.

Let me show you how to make this seasonal treat, which might become your new holiday tradition.

What Sets Thanksgiving Sangria Apart from Regular Sangria?

Most folks know basic sangria – wine with fruits, often served in summer. But fall sangria brings a whole new set of flavors to your table.

The difference is all in the fruits and spices.While summer sangria uses berries and citrus, my Thanksgiving version swaps in apples, pears, and cranberries. The wine choice shifts, too. Red wine works year-round, but for fall, I like wines with hints of vanilla or cinnamon.

Then come the spices – cinnamon sticks, cloves, and nutmeg – which add warmth regular sangria lacks.

Lastly, I add a splash of apple cider for that true autumn touch. These small changes create a drink that feels right at home next to turkey and stuffing.

But if you’re looking for something new and refreshing, try my white wine sangria with vodka recipe for a surprising twist.

Kitchen Supplies and Ingredients Required for Thanksgiving Sangria Recipe

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this fall-themed sangria. I like to get all my stuff ready before I start – it makes the whole process run smoothly.

Kitchen Supplies You’ll Need:

• Large glass pitcher (at least 2-quart size)
• Sharp kitchen knife
• Cutting board
• Wooden spoon for mixing
• Measuring cups
• Wine opener
• Paper towels
• Large spoon for serving
• Wine glasses for serving

Ingredients List:

• 1 bottle (750ml) of red wine
• 2 cups apple cider
• 1/2 cup brandy
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 medium apples
• 1 large pear
• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 3-4 cinnamon sticks
• 2 star anise pods
• Ice cubes for serving
• Optional: Extra cinnamon sticks for garnish

The best part is that most of these items are likely already in your kitchen. If not, they’re easy to find at any grocery store during the fall months, nothing fancy or hard to get!

Choosing the Red Wine for Your Thanksgiving Sangria Recipe:

Easy Instructions for Making Thanksgiving Sangria Recipe

Making this seasonal drink isn’t hard at all. I am breaking down the process into simple steps so that you can follow without any fancy tools or skills. The whole thing takes less than 15 minutes to put together, and then you can let time do the rest.

Here’s how I make my favorite holiday sangria:

Step 1: Prepare Your Fruits

Wash all fruits well. Cut apples and pears into thin slices. I leave the skin on for color and texture. There is no need to peel them! Make sure to remove all seeds. For cranberries, make sure you give them a good rinse.

Pat everything dry with a paper towel to keep excess water out of your mix.

Step 2: Mix the Liquids

Pour the wine into a large pitcher. Add the apple cider and brandy.

Stir with a wooden spoon to mix the liquids well. The mix might look a bit odd at first, but don’t worry – the flavors will come together nicely as it sits. I like to taste it now and adjust as needed.

Step 3: Add Fruits and Spices

Put all the fruit slices into the pitcher. Add cinnamon sticks and star anise. Sprinkle in the brown sugar and stir until it starts to dissolve.

The sugar helps pull juice from the fruits, which adds more flavor to the sangria. This step takes just a minute or two.

Step 4: Let it Rest

Cover your pitcher and put it in the fridge.

Let it sit for at least 4 hours, but overnight is best. This waiting time lets the flavors mix and meld. The fruits will soak up the wine while also giving off their own taste. It’s worth the wait, I promise!

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Pour into glasses with ice cubes. Use a spoon to add some of the soaked fruit to each glass. You can decorate the glass with some spices and fresh fruits.

I like to add a fresh cinnamon stick to each glass as a stirrer and for looks. Serve cold and watch your guests smile.

Tips for Making a Perfect Thanksgiving Sangria

Here are some tips that can make your Thanksgiving sangria recipe better than ever:

• Use room temperature wine when mixing – it helps the flavors blend better before chilling.
• Don’t cut fruits too small or they’ll turn mushy; larger chunks hold up better overnight.
• Taste before serving and add more sugar if needed – cold dulls sweetness.
• Sangria gets better with time, so make it at least 8 hours ahead for best results.
• Keep a small pitcher of extra wine or cider nearby to top off glasses that look too full of fruit.
• Freeze some apple slices to use as ice cubes – they cool drinks without watering them down.

Substitute Ingredients for Thanksgiving Sangria

Tip: Sangria is very forgiving. The key flavors come from the wine, fruits, and a touch of spice. So, feel free to experiment a bit based on what’s in your pantry.

Wrapping Up Your Thanksgiving Sangria

So there you have it; a simple sangria recipe that brings fall flavors right to your Thanksgiving table. This drink does more than just taste good; it frees up your time to enjoy the day with the people who matter.

Just mix everything the night before, and you’ll have one less thing to worry about on Thanksgiving day.

I’d love to hear how your sangria turns out!

Drop a comment below with your own twist on this recipe or share a photo of your creation. Did you try any substitutions that worked well?