Make Sangria for a Holiday Party

Sangria is one of my favorite drinks to make for a party because it’s such a crowd pleaser. Plus, you can make it ahead of time. This means that during the party itself there’s no work for you at all. You can impress your friends with a drink that feels fancy, but still have time to actually enjoy your guests—and this drink!

The Ingredients for This White Wine Sangria

This sangria pairs white wine with pear nectar, diced pears, and some of the traditional spices that we associate with the holiday season—cinnamon, anise, and clove. You often see apple paired with these spices, but it turns out that spiced pears are just as delicious! Add to this a splash of ginger beer, which brings everything together really beautifully for a sangria that says “holiday” all over.

Which White Wine To Buy

For this recipe, you’ll want a dry white wine, such as a Pinot Grigio or a Sauvignon Blanc. Another thing I love about sangria is that it’s budget friendly. Since the fruit flavors and spices will mask the nuances in the wine, this is not a time to go for an expensive bottle—something in the lower price ranges will work quite well. I’ve made sangria with bottles of wine that cost $5 and had it turn out fantastic. It’s not about the wine, per se. It’s what you put in it.

Where To Find Pear Nectar

Pear nectar is a drink made from pear juice, sometimes with added sweeteners. It’s sweeter than pear juice, and also a lot easier to find. You can find it in the juice aisle at your supermarket. I used Looza brand for this recipe; Santa Cruz also makes an organic pear nectar.

More Great Drinks for Holiday Parties

Holiday Punch Cranberry Apple Sangria Coquito (Puerto Rican Eggnog) Orange Vanilla Hot Butter Rum Blood Orange French 75 Cocktail

Add the lemon juice to the pitcher. Add the cooled pear and spice mixture to the pitcher with the wine and stir.