Red Wine Sangria with Brandy, Pear and Pomegranate
Dry red wine, brandy, orange liqueur, unsweetened cider and maple syrup over apple, pear and orange, chilled 2 to 24 hours and topped with a splash of fizz.
Red Wine Sangria with Brandy, Pear and Pomegranate
Course: DrinksDifficulty: Easy8
servings10
minutes2
hoursDry red wine, brandy, orange liqueur, unsweetened cider and maple syrup over apple, pear and orange, chilled 2 to 24 hours and topped with a splash of fizz.
Ingredients
1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine (Merlot, Pinot Noir or Tempranillo)
1/2 cup brandy
1/4 cup orange liqueur, like Cointreau or triple sec
2 cups unsweetened apple cider
1/4 cup maple syrup or honey, adjusted to taste
1 Honeycrisp or Gala apple, thinly sliced
1 pear, thinly sliced
1 orange, thinly sliced
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds or cranberries, for garnish
Sparkling water or ginger beer, for topping
4 cups ice, for the glasses
Directions
- Slice the apple, pear and orange thinly.
- In a large pitcher, combine the red wine, brandy, orange liqueur, apple cider and maple syrup.
- Stir well.
- Add the sliced apple, pear and orange.
- Stir again.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, up to 24 hours, so the flavors meld.
- Stir, then fill stemless wine glasses with ice.
- Pour the sangria into the glasses with some fruit.
- Top with a splash of sparkling water or ginger beer for some fizz.
- Add pomegranate seeds or cranberries, or a little of both, to each glass.
Notes
- For a drink without alcohol, use dark grape juice for the wine and extra cider for the brandy and liqueur. Keep it covered in the fridge for about 3 days. Taste before adding all the maple syrup. A Pinot Noir gives a lighter pour than a Merlot.
Why this Red Wine Sangria works
Dry red wine gives the pitcher structure, and the cider and maple keep it from tasting thin or harsh. Thin slices matter. They release juice into the wine fast, so even two hours in the fridge tastes finished.
Brandy and orange liqueur add warmth without a sugary edge, which is why you hold back some of the maple until you taste.
Swaps that work and one that does not
A fruity Pinot Noir makes a lighter pour. Honey stands in for maple with no fuss. Sliced peaches or cranberries can replace the pear.
Do not use a sweet dessert wine. With the cider and syrup already in the pitcher, it turns cloying.
What to put on the table
Salty things balance it best: a cheese board, olives, marcona almonds, spiced nuts. It also sits well beside roast chicken or a pork supper.
Mistake to skip
Adding the fizz to the whole pitcher. Pour it glass by glass, or the last servings go flat.
Wine brands vary a lot in tannin, so taste the pitcher after an hour. If it is sharp, add a spoonful more maple and stir. If it is too sweet, a squeeze of orange fixes it. Pull out any fruit that has gone brown after a day, because it dulls the flavor and the look of the glass.
Red Wine Sangria with Brandy, Pear and Pomegranate at a glance
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Servings: 8 servings
- Ingredients: 11, led by bottle (750 ml) dry red wine (Merlot, brandy, orange liqueur, unsweetened apple cider
Tips for Red Wine Sangria with Brandy, Pear and Pomegranate
For a drink without alcohol, use dark grape juice for the wine and extra cider for the brandy and liqueur. Keep it covered in the fridge for about 3 days. Taste before adding all the maple syrup. A Pinot Noir gives a lighter pour than a Merlot.
Red Wine Sangria with Brandy, Pear and Pomegranate FAQ
How many people does Red Wine Sangria with Brandy, Pear and Pomegranate serve?
This recipe makes 8 servings.
What do I need to make Red Wine Sangria with Brandy, Pear and Pomegranate?
11 ingredients, led by bottle (750 ml) dry red wine (Merlot, brandy, orange liqueur, unsweetened apple cider. Amounts are in the recipe card above.
Part of: 25 Easy Fall Sangria Recipes for Thanksgiving and Cozy Nights
