Sangria may just be the perfect holiday drink. Fruity, spicy, tangy, and perfectly sweet, sangria is a go-to at holiday gatherings nationwide. Combine this drink with the sharp and subtly sweet flavor of cranberry, and you have a winner. Cranberry sangria offers a well of inspiration for holiday-themed products for manufacturers to experiment with. Let the holiday flavors shine with these cranberry products!
The Flavor Profile of Cranberry
Cranberry itself has a flavor profile that’s almost identical to lemons. A cranberry sangria is a refreshing balance of both zestiness and sweetness.
Cranberries are rather tart. This is because the berry contains low sugar and high acid levels. This allows the berry to oscillate between savory or sweet recipes. Cranberries can be added to anything from cereals, sauces, dressings, and even a cocktail. Often, a cranberry recipe will need sugar added to be more digestible and enjoyable. Dried cranberries are tarter than fresh cranberries. Fresh cranberries burst with more zest and maintain a berry-like flavor.
Cranberry is otherwise known to help the body boost up on antioxidants. They are antibacterial because they do not allow bacteria to stick to a cell. On top of its health benefits, this tangy berry has also become known as a winter staple. It is found in candles and various foods!
Other flavors that pair well with the cranberry include the following:
- Raspberries
- White chocolate
- Pumpkin pie spice
- Apple
- Star anise
- Cinnamon
- Grand Marnier
- Pears
- Pistachios
- Walnuts
Incorporating Cranberry Juice Flavors into Sangria
Among the typical regular cranberry juices, there are other bold flavors to choose from. These cranberry juice flavors can include white-cran strawberry juice. This is a white cranberry flavor so it won’t be as tart as the original. There is also a splash of strawberry, adding to the brightness of the juice. White cran strawberry juice can be incorporated into a holiday sangria for a burst of sweetness amidst the bold seasonal flavors.
Other cranberry juices contain splashes of lemonade, blueberry, blood orange, and sometimes apple. Pairing cranberry with sweeter, softer flavors can offer a range of sangria possibilities.
Cranberry Flavor Can Work Here, Too?
Aside from juice and candies, here are some other places cranberry can be enjoyed this season. For starters, you can try cranberry meatballs. As interesting as it sounds, this recipe really exists, and it’s delicious! Sweet, tart, and savory make for a dynamic flavor experience. This recipe is simple to make and is sure to bring a different flavor profile to the holiday table. Aside from these meatballs, cranberry flavor goes (surprisingly) into these dishes too:
- Cranberry mimosas
- Cranberry-apple almond pie
- Cranberry-maple chicken
- Cranberry-ginger pinwheels
- Cranberry brie pie (yes, brie cheese!)
Enjoy This Cranberry Sangria Recipe
The goodness of sangria is that it blends wine and fruit flavors together. It is also the type of drink that can be made in bulk. This is helpful for a busy host, too.
For this holiday season, try out this cranberry sangria. It is sure to be delightful and refreshing while making hosting a breeze. To start, gather the following ingredients.
- 1 bottle of fruity red wine (e.g., red Moscato or Zinfandel) – equivalent to 750 ml
- 2 cups of fresh cranberries
- 2 medium oranges
- ½ cup of simple syrup
- ½ cup of pulp-free orange juice
- 1 ½ cups cranberry juice
- ½ cup triple sec
- Club soda (get enough to fill the pitcher above the other ingredients in the pitcher)
Once all ingredients have been gathered the host can begin mixing their sangria! Follow the steps below:
- Pour wine into a 2-quart pitcher
- Mix in simple syrup, orange juice, cranberry juice, and triple sec
- Add the fresh cranberries and oranges
- Fill the pitcher with club soda. Please note, the whole bottle of wine may not be used.
- Stir and let sit for ½ hour before serving. Enjoy!
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