During the season of mulled wine and hot cocoa, a cool, refreshing beverage can be a nice change of pace. We always look forward to National Sangria Day, which falls on December 20, as it gives us an excuse to have a little fun with our wine during California Christmas! This year, we opted for a simple sangria that infuses our punchy Home Ranch Zinfandel with a variety of the bright citrus fruit grown all around our ranch.
Our festive sangria is a fun and fruity crowd-pleaser that’s easy to make in big batches and ideal for serving at any holiday gathering.
Sangria is a brilliant beverage in part for its adaptability. Even if your garden isn’t overflowing with oranges and kumquats, most any citrus will do. And, if you happen to stop by the winery this time of year, we are happy to share!
We like juicing fresh blood oranges for our sangria due to their rich flavor and aroma. Plus, the gorgeous ruby colors can’t be beat. A few sprigs of rosemary from our back garden are the finishing touch, giving this tasty drink an herbal holiday twist. The result? A fun and fruity crowd-pleaser that’s easy to make in big batches and ideal for serving at any holiday gathering.
Zinfandel & Home Ranch Citrus Sangria Recipe:
1 Bottle Zinfandel Wine (We Use Our Home Ranch)
½ Cup Apple Brandy
1 Cup Blood Orange Juice
A Blend of Sliced Citrus Rounds
3 Sprigs Fresh Rosemary, Plus a Few More for Garnish
Ice
Combine all ingredients in a large glass bowl or pitcher, saving the ice until ready to serve. For sliced citrus, we use what grows in abundance at the winery right now – 2 regular oranges, 2 blood oranges, 1 grapefruit and a handful of kumquats. We recommend using a blend of citrus to enhance your sangria’s flavor and provide visual variety, but which fruit you choose to use is up to you!
Sangria can be enjoyed anytime, but is best if chilled for a few hours so the flavors can really mingle.
When ready to serve, transfer sangria to a pitcher, if not already using, and half-fill glasses with ice. Pour sangria, being sure to include lots of fruit in each glass. Top with an extra sprig of rosemary and enjoy!
We’d love to know if you enjoyed our sangria this season! Tag us to share: @harneylanewine
