Next Post
Pancetta Wrapped Pork Tenderloin.
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
Better known as a super fancy way to drink beer…Christmas style!
I’m not sure if any of you are familiar with Great Lakes Brewing Company’s Christmas Ale, but if you live in Cleveland Ohio…aka “The Land”, then you know it’s a Christmas tradition. Everyone has to drink some Christmas Ale at least once during the holiday a season, it’s just a must. I’ve had this drink in my back pocket for months now and I am so excited to finally share it…like so excited. Basically, this is just a really fancy way to drink beer…which is cool cause it’s Christmas and anything goes!
This Christmas Ale Sangria is actually nothing like a traditional sangria, but…it’s kind of the same idea. Just take a beer and mix it with fruit, a little apple cider, a little vodka, a few dashes of orange bitters and then top it off with some sparkles, if you’d like. I know it sounds kind of odd, but it’s actually really good and it works really nicely with Christmas Ale since it’s a heavier beer with hints of cinnamon, ginger and honey…perfect for a sangria style drink! Since the beer is heavier, it can handle the addition of the apple cider and vodka…not to mention that all the flavors go really nicely together. Since I like a little fizz with pretty much all my drinks, I topped mine with some sparkling water, but I get it if you’re not into sparkles in your beer. Me personally…love em!
Here’s the thing with this sangria. Unlike traditional sangria, you don’t want to add the beer and then let it sit in the fridge. Since beer is carbonated, you’ll need to add it just before serving. SO mix up all the other ingredients, then let them chill in the fridge and infuse the vodka a bit. Then just before serving, add the beer. See, still simple as can be! This is great for all the beer drinkers at the party or just another fun way to serve up Christmas. Plus, this drink is obviously delicious and super refreshing. I made this on Thursday for my cousin Abby’s arrival and it’s safe to say this drink was a hit.
Oh, and seeing as I live in Colorado, I couldn’t find the Great Lakes Christmas Ale, BUT I did find some Breckenridge Brewery Christmas Ale, and I gotta say, their cute little bottles had me sold from the get-go. I mean, these are the best Christmas beer bottle I’ve ever seen. Love them!
Christmas Ale Sangria.
Servings: 8 servings
Calories Per Serving: 331 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups apple cider
- 1/2 cup vodka
- 6 dashes orange bitters
- 2 pears sliced
- 3 oranges sliced
- arils from 1 pomegranate
- 1 cup cranberries
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 5 bottles Christmas Ale chilled
- sparkling water for topping (optional)
Instructions
- In a large pitcher, add the apple cider, vodka and orange bitters, stir to combine. Add the pears, oranges, pomegranate arils, and cranberries. Chill until ready to serve.
- Before serving, slowly pour in the beer and gently stir to combine. Pour among glasses and top with sparkling water if desired.
Cheers to the holidays and family fun!
I’m not sure which camera and lens you use, but wow your pictures are stunning! It looks like the glasses are popping out of my screen (if that makes sense?)! I’m in love with your photography. haha. 🙂
Thanks Caroline! These where just shot with my 50mm 1.2! 🙂 Happy Holidays! ?
Thank you!! I really need a new lens! haha 🙂
Wow thank you so much!! I use a 35mm, 50mm, 24-70mm, and a 100mm!
This looks delish, may have to try it with our family gathering on Christmas. With GF beer however. And as always love your food photography. Don’t you just love those darling fairy lights? I’ve gotten several sets, perfect for table top lighting to add to subtle candle lights.
I hope you guys love it!!
I love the lights! So fun and festive!!
my hop-head hubby will DIE over this. yay!! i can’t wait to try.
Hope you both love it!! Thank you!
This is a different sangria and I bet it taste super delicious. As always stunning photos.
Happy Holidays!
Ah Hi Carlos!! Thank you so much as always! I always get excited when I see your comments! Pretty much always so nice (:
Yum! These look great
Thanks so much Sara! So nice to hear from you so often lately (:
I might leave out the vodka and use hard apple cider. Beautiful beautiful pics!
That will be delicious!! Hope you love it!! Thank you (:
Tieghan, I’m headed home to Ohio from New Orleans in just a couple days and I can’t wait to get my hands on some Great Lakes Christmas Ale! This just might have to make it on the Christmas menu!
Oh my gosh!! One of the best things about going back to Ohio!! You must try it!! I hope you’ll love it!!
riiiiiiiiight… being portuguese, I need to stress that sangria means wine!! Sangria means wine!!! (now I’ve cleared that one out, how delicious would this sangria with ale be??? My mouth’s watering at it!!!!)
https://bloglairdutemps.blogspot.pt/
It means wine!! I am actually super curious how it would be!! Now that youb have me wondering I must find out!! Lol!
Between the food you make and the beverages you mix like this I can see why so many people spend the holidays with the Gerard family!
Haha! I’d like to think it is because of my cooking!! But thank you!!
This sangria looks absolutely incredible and festive too. It’ll definitely be a hit at holiday parties!
YAY!!! Thats honestly all I wanted to hear!! So thank you for being the one to tell me!! So so happy it was a hit!!
This looks SO good!!! And what a genius idea to make sangria out of beer! 🙂 Happy days!
Thanks so much Anna! I was so excited making it! Happy holidays!! (:
How are your photos always so gorgeous?! Seriously girl, you are killing it. Sending big hugs <3
Way to many hours and WAY to many repeats of the recipes haha!! Totally worth it though!! Thanks Sarah!
Oh my goodness…Is it Christmas Morning yet?
I will see what Ale i can find over here to make this..
Thank you seems so small for something this Magnificent. !!
Have a Happy Saturday..
and thanks for the note about the photo with the reciles.
Goof girl!! 🙂
Awh thank you so much Leslie!! It plenty for me!!
I wish it was christmas by the way!! LOL!
Yummmm this looks so beautiful and I love those glasses
Thank you so much!!
When I was younger I loved sangria but I can’t drink alcohol anymore.
The pictures are wonderful.
Awh I’m sorry Nancy! It is tasty! You could try a non alcoholic!
Thanks so much about the pictures!!