5 Festive Holiday Wine Cocktails

Sure, you could drink wine straight from the bottle while cozied up on the couch this winter (no judgment here!) but where's the fun in that? This season, branch out and try one of these five festive wine cocktails! From a classic mulled wine to a more unique white wine sangria, there's something for everyone. So grab a couple of your favorite bottles of vino and get mixing to the recipes below.

MULLED WINE

Mulled wine is the ultimate “cozy weather” cocktail.

For this drink you’ll need

• 1 bottle of red wine

I would recommend a Merlot, Zinfandel or Grenache. While the wine is the backbone to this recipe, the red wines you enjoy at room temperature may not taste as good heated, so a basic red wine will do!

• ¼ cup of Brandy
• 2 small oranges
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 to 2 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup
• 3 star anise
• 4 whole cloves

​​Directions:
1. Pour the wine into the pot, followed by the brandy. Add 1 tablespoon of the sweetener for now. Add the cinnamon sticks, star anise and cloves
2. Warm the mixture over medium heat until steaming (about 5 minutes), and keep an eye on it. When you start seeing the tiniest of bubbles at the surface, reduce the heat to the lowest temperature possible
3. Carefully taste, and add another tablespoon of sweetener if it’s not sweet enough for your liking. If it’s not spicy enough, continue cooking over very low heat for 5 to 10 more minutes
4. Serve in mugs with your desired garnishes!

Pro tip: to save the time and a trip to the store, check out the mulled spice kit on my Holiday Gift Guide!

WHITE WINE CHRISTMAS SANGRIA

I feel that white wine is often forgotten around the holiday season, so let’s change that!

For this drink you’ll need:

• 1 bottle of white wine

For this, I would recommend a dry, crisp, unoaked wine since you’ll be adding sweetness to it - unless you enjoy super sweet sangria! Try a dry Reisling (yes, they exist), Pinot Grigio, or a Sauvignon Blanc. You can also mix two to get your desired taste.

• 1 cup sparkling apple cider
• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• 1 green apple, sliced
• 1 pear, sliced
• 1 star anice for garnish
  ​

Directions:
1. Cut your apple and pear into thin slices. Pour the wine, sparkling apple cider, cranberries, apple slices, and pear slices into a large pitcher. You can layer them or simply mix them all in. Refrigerate the sangria for at least four hours, or overnight to let the flavors meld together
2. Serve the sangria in individual glasses over ice and top off with fresh sparkling apple cider
3. Garnish with you star anice, and any other garnish you’d like!

HOLIDAY WINE SPRITZER

Spritzers may be a popular summer choice, but in my opinion, they’re great all year round!

For this drink you’ll need:

• 1 bottle white wine

It’s really your preference on this one! I think a Chardonnay would work well.

• 3 cups cranberry juice
• 3 cups ginger ale
• 1 cup cranberries

Directions:
1. In a large pitcher combine white wine and cranberry juice until well combined
2. Pour into your glass of choice, and top with ginger ale and cranberries.

SPARKLING CRANBERRY PROSECCO

I know you’ve been waiting for a sparkling wine recipe, so here it is! This one is super easy, and yes, involves more cranberries.

For this drink you’ll need:

• 5 oz. cold Prosecco
  
• 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier
  
• 2 tablespoons cranberry juice
  
• Lime wedges and cranberries for garnish

Directions:
1. Combine Prosecco, Grand Marnier, and cranberry juice in a champagne flute or cocktail glass of your choice
2. Add a splash of lime if desired
3. Garnish with lime wedges and cranberries
4. Stir gently and serve
​

BOOZY EGGNOG COCKTAIL

Okay, this one doesn’t involve wine, but what’s more festive for Christmas than eggnog? It’s only here for a limited time, so I couldn’t pass it up!

For this drink you’ll need:

• ½ oz Brandy
• ½ oz dark rum
• 3 oz eggnog (store bought, or homemade)
• ⅛ teaspoon sugar
  
• Dash of nutmeg
  
• Dash of cinnamon
  
• 1 cinnamon stick for garnish
  

Directions:
1. Mix the brandy, rum and eggnog in a cocktail shaker with ice
2. Add the nutmeg, cinnamon and sugar to a small plate, et the rim of a glass with rum, and roll the rim of the glass in the spices
3. Strain the cocktail into the glass
4. Garnish with cinnamon stick (optional)

If you do try out some of these recipes, take a picture and tag me in it on Instagram!

If cocktails aren’t your thing, and you're looking for some simple, elegant, and fun wines to enjoy this holiday season, be sure to check out my Holiday Wine Guide.

Cheers and Happy Holidays!