TGIF, y’all! Who’s down for a fizzy, colorful cocktail this weekend? Nay, a fizzy, colorful champagne cocktail?!
It’s a fact that Sangria is one of my all-time favorite drinks (tied with Mojitos, of course,) and I make the Red Wine Sangria recipe I posted here on IGE a bajillion years ago every chance I get. The recipe is from a friend’s Mom and is PERFECT, as most Mom-sourced recipes are.
Anyway, although cocktail hour is few and far between at my house these days, I wanted to come up with a fun twist on the fruity drink to make when we have family in town later this month for Christmas. Champagne Sangria Punch is it! Bubbly champagne is mixed with wine-soaked winter fruits including kiwi, oranges, and pomegranate arils, then finished with a splash of orange juice to sweeten each sip.
Sangria meets mimosa in this festive punch, and it’s alll good. Perfect for the holidays or a girl’s night in. People will go bonkers for it!
Champagne is such a crowd pleaser already (I mean seriously, how excited do you get at weddings when they start passing around flutes filled with bubbly before the toasts?!) and the fact that this drink is so beautiful and has booze soaked fruit makes it an even bigger joy to drink. Boozy fruit, FTW!
Before we go any further please note that in my sleep deprived state I totally forgot to add the orange juice to the Champagne Sangria Punch before photographing it, so just know that your punch will have a pretty, light-orange hue!
Start with your alcohol. You’ll need 1 bottle (750ml) each riesling and champagne.Â
One thing I learned a few years ago is that not all rieslings are sweet, so make sure you pick one on the sweeter side for this drink. Relax Riesling is one of my favorites. If you want your Champagne Sangria Punch even sweeter, you could use moscato wine instead. FlipFlop Wine has a great one!
Pour the riesling into a big pitcher or punch bowl then get your fruit ready. I used a variety of fruit that are currently in season including pomegranate, kiwi, and oranges.
Cut 1 orange in half lengthwise then into slices.
That’s how you get the pretty sections to face out!
Next de-seed 1 pomegranate.Â
There are a variety of ways to de-seed a pomegranate, but this is my preferred method >Â (Click that link for buying tips, too!) You could also buy just the pomegranate arils at Costco or Trader Joe’s. I think they are so, so beautiful in this drink.
Finally, peel then slice 4 kiwi. The kiwi get kind of fizzy in the champagne – it’s so fun.
Add the fruit to the pitcher with the wine then refrigerate for 2 to 24 hours. When you’re ready to serve, slowly add the champagne and 1-1/2 cups orange juice (tip: that’s just one of the small/single-serve Simply Orange containers.) Stir to combine then pour over ice and serve!
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Champagne Sangria Punch
Description
Champagne Sangria Punch is fizzy, just sweet enough, and spiked with fresh fruits. The perfect cocktail for the holidays!
Ingredients
- 1 bottle sweet Riesling or Moscato (I like Relax and FlipFlop wines, respectively)
- 1 orange, sliced
- 4 kiwi, peeled then sliced
- 1 pomegranate, seeded
- 1 bottle Brut Champagne or sparkling wine
- 1-1/2 cups orange juice
Directions
- Pour wine into a large pitcher or punch bowl then add orange and kiwi slices, and pomegranate arils. Refrigerate for 2-24 hours. When ready to serve add champagne and orange juice to the pitcher then stir to combine. Serve over ice.
Notes
Inspired by Spoon, Fork, Bacon.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Mimosas are another one of my favorite drinks, especially on Thanksgiving and Christmas morning, so this punch is really hitting all the bases for me. Hope you enjoy!
Startknu 12.06.2013
Nice!
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Alexe @ Keys to the Cucina 12.06.2013
This looks so refreshing and those pictures are to die for!
Liane 12.06.2013
This looks fantastic! We are having a party next week and I’ve been looking for a festive drink recipe. Found it!!!
Ashley 12.06.2013
Love this recipe! I just made a sangria for Thanksgiving with red wide, but this one sounds amazing too! So many different options!
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em@simplypresent 12.06.2013
I don’t think that it’s a good day for a Sangria in Texas today. We have several inches of ice. Of course no one is used to driving in it so we’re stuck inside.
Kelly Mitchem 12.06.2013
This sounds amazing! I love sangria and champagne so this is perfect!
Tiff @ Love, Sweat, & Beers 12.06.2013
Yay for boozy fruit! haha Looks great! I really enjoy sangria- but only when it doesn’t have the extra brandy in it. I like my wine n’ fruit!
Mandy @ Eat Pray Grow 12.06.2013
Yup. Pinning this for post-pregnancy. It looks so refreshing, I might have to try it with sparkling grape juice!
Cassie 12.06.2013
That looks so pretty!
Sally G. 12.06.2013
Looks delish! Also, I just had to chuckle at the “mom-sourced recipes” comment, since now *you* will be a source of mom-approved recipes :-)
Sanaz@Run for Cake 12.06.2013
This looks amazing! Makes me want to have a party. I’ve never thought of using pomegranate in a sangria. Genius!
FitBritt@MyOwnBalance 12.06.2013
This looks amazing! I want this right now!
Becky 12.06.2013
This looks so yummy! We are doing a “Thanksmas” with friends, and this would be a perfect, fun drink!
kristy 12.06.2013
This looks awesome. I made apple cider sangria for thanksgiving cocktail hour and this looks perfect for christmas.
C. 12.06.2013
Ooh, I could use one of these later today! I love the addition of kiwi and pomegranate. Very unique.
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More 12.06.2013
OH.EM.GEE!! I just sent this recipe to my sister. I think this needs to happen for the holidays. Yes, yes it does!
Erin | The Emerging Foodie 12.06.2013
Get out! This is brilliant!! I love champagne, I love riesling, and I love fruit… this is a huge winner. Totally pinning and using this Christmas season. Mmm. Also, your photography is so crisp and inviting–stunning!
Brie @ Entrée the Giant 12.06.2013
This is a drink I can get down with – and while it’s almost too pretty to drink – I don’t think it would last long :)
Captain Competition 12.06.2013
This would be a great substitution for champagne on New Years Eve that people will actually drink. I can’t tell you how many half full glasses of champagne I throw away New Years Day morning.
Katie @ Daily Cup of Kate 12.06.2013
Relax was my first wine I ever started drinking in college…we kept it classy and drank straight out of the bottle. This recipe makes it look a little more sophisticated– sounds delicious!