The Cranberry Pineapple Sangria is a juicy, fruit-filled twist on a classic. It blends the tart bite of cranberry juice with the tropical sweetness of pineapple, layered over wine and fresh fruit for a laid-back, easygoing drink. This sangria is great for sharing think backyard hangs, holiday dinners, or anytime you need a crowd-pleaser that’s not too heavy. You can build it ahead of time, let the flavors chill together, and pour over ice when you’re ready. Add orange slices, cranberries, or pineapple chunks for extra flavor and color. It’s simple, bright, and made for relaxing with friends.
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Tasting Notes
This Cranberry Pineapple Sangria is bold, fruity, and well-balanced with a little sparkle on top. The dry red wine gives it a solid base, while pineapple, cranberry, and orange juices bring in a mix of sweet, tart, and citrus notes. Fresh pineapple adds texture and depth, while cranberries and orange slices round out the fruit blend. Orange liqueur and honey syrup tie it all together with smoothness and just the right amount of sweetness. A splash of club soda adds a refreshing finish. Each sip is bright, juicy, and layered, with a little rosemary on top to bring it all together.
Equipment and Glassware
You’ll need a large pitcher or punch bowl to mix and chill the sangria. A long spoon or ladle will help stir everything and serve easily. A citrus knife and peeler will make prepping the orange slices and pineapple quick and clean. Use a jigger to measure the orange liqueur and honey syrup. For serving, go with stemless wine glasses, tumblers, or any wide-mouth glass to fit the fruit. A small strainer is helpful if guests prefer their pour without too much pulp or fruit. If you’re garnishing each glass, cocktail picks or short skewers help keep things tidy.
Ingredients
- 1 bottle dry red wine, chilled
- 8 oz pineapple juice
- 8 oz cranberry juice
- 8 oz orange juice
- 2 oz orange liqueur
- 2 oz honey syrup
- 1 cup chopped fresh pineapple
- 2/3 cup cranberries
- 1 orange, peeled and thinly sliced
- Club soda, for topping
- Garnish: cranberries and pineapple wedge
Instructions
- In a large pitcher or punch bowl, combine the wine, pineapple, cranberries, pineapple juice, cranberry juice, orange juice, orange slices, orange liqueur, and honey syrup.
- Stir well to mix and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours (up to overnight for more flavor).
- Just before serving, add club soda to taste.
- Serve over ice and garnish each glass with a few cranberries and a pineapple wedge.
Pro Tips
- Use a dry red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot to keep the sangria from getting too sweet.
- If using frozen cranberries, rinse them before adding so they don’t water down the drink.
- Fresh orange juice gives the best flavor, but bottled works in a pinch.
- Honey syrup is easy to make combine equal parts honey and warm water.
- Chill all ingredients before mixing so you don’t have to add too much ice.
- Let the sangria sit at least an hour before serving so the fruit can infuse.
- Garnish right before serving so the rosemary stays bright.
When to Serve
This Cranberry Pineapple Sangria is perfect for fall and winter gatherings, especially when you want something festive that’s easy to batch. It works well for holiday parties, potlucks, or casual dinners where guests can serve themselves. The mix of cranberry and pineapple keeps it bright enough for daytime events but deep enough in flavor for evening. It’s also great for Friendsgiving, brunch, or as a make-ahead option for larger crowds. Because it’s lower proof and fruit-forward, it’s easy to sip and pairs well with a wide range of food.
Which Liquor Brands to Choose
- Choose a dry red wine like Josh Cellars Cabernet, Alamos Malbec, or a clean Spanish Garnacha.
- For orange liqueur, Cointreau or Grand Marnier are solid choices, but Triple Sec works too if you’re keeping it simple.
- Use 100% juices Lakewood, Simply, or store brands with no added sugar are great.
- Fresh pineapple and cranberries work best, but frozen is fine if you thaw them a bit.
- For club soda, use a fizzy brand like Topo Chico, Fever-Tree, or store brand with strong bubbles.
- Fresh rosemary adds great aroma don’t skip it if you want that final touch.
Similar Cocktails
- Joe’s Crab Shack Ya Ya Punch
- Pineapple Mango Colada Sangria
- Blue Hawaiian Long Island
- Tropical Pineapple Punch
- Cranberry Orange Bourbon Cocktail
Equipment
- Stirring spoon
- Citrus peele
Ingredients
- 1 bottle dry red wine chilled
- 8 oz pineapple juice
- 8 oz cranberry juice
- 8 oz orange juice
- 2 oz orange liqueur
- 2 oz honey syrup
- 1 cup chopped fresh pineapple
- 2/3 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 orange peeled and thinly sliced
- Club soda for topping
- Garnish: cranberries and pineapple wedge
Instructions
- In a large pitcher or punch bowl, combine the wine, pineapple, cranberries, pineapple juice, cranberry juice, orange juice, orange slices, orange liqueur, and honey syrup.
- Stir well to mix and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours (up to overnight for more flavor).
- Just before serving, add club soda to taste.
- Serve over ice and garnish each glass with a few cranberries and a pineapple wedge .
Notes
Pro Tips
- Use a bold red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Tempranillo to stand up to the fruit.
- If using frozen cranberries, they’ll help chill the sangria without watering it down.
- For extra aroma, lightly slap the rosemary sprig before adding it to the glass.