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My go-to Thanksgiving Sangria – to kick off a night with family and friends. This is one of my favorite festive pitcher style drinks to serve up this November. White wine mixed with cider, brandy, pumpkin butter, citrus, spices, and a splash of ginger beer. It’s a touch sweet, refreshing, so easy to make, and perfect for both Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving gatherings!

side angled photo of Thanksgiving Sangria | halfbakedharvest.com #thanksgiving #sangria #holiday

Happy first Saturday of November everyone! Stopping in for a quick cocktail Saturday post to officially kick off the holiday season! Crazy that November is already here! We have a very full month ahead, stocked with delicious Thanksgiving recipes and quick weeknight dinners. But first, a cocktail to celebrate the season!

Over the years I’ve made a few Sangria recipes, this Christmas Sangria being one of my favorites to date. I’ve known for about a month now that I wanted to create a Thanksgiving Sangria. I figured if Christmas has its own Sangria, then Thanksgiving needs one too!

Enter today’s recipe. It’s the EASIEST pitcher cocktail to throw together. You can make it up to a day in advance and it’s pretty festive too. Especially when served in this pumpkin punch bowl with accompanying seamless pumpkin wine glasses.

raw fruit and spices before adding wine

Here is how you make this sangria.

Combine all the ingredients in a large punch bowl. Chill until ready to serve. Top off with ginger beer.

DONE.

I mean, how easy is that?!?

close up photo of Thanksgiving Sangria in pumpkin glass

The Secret?

Using a mix of white wine, apple cider, and brandy, then stirring in spiced pumpkin butter or apple butter. I prefer using spiced pumpkin butter, but only because I find it a little more appropriate for Thanksgiving. Either pumpkin butter or apple butter works great, and both add just the right amount of spice and sweetness to your sangria.

For my mix of fruit, I used sliced apples, blood oranges, and pomegranates. You can really use any mix of autumn fruits you love. But I found these particularly pretty, and they pair deliciously with the flavors in the wine and cider.

And then, the ginger beer. My complete obsession. I love topping all cocktails with just a little ginger beer. I find it adds the perfect amount of spice to every cocktail.

I’m excited to be including this in my 2019 Thanksgiving menu that will be coming in just about a week!

This is the perfect make-ahead party Sangria for both Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving!

Tip? Test this sangria out tonight. You know…just to be sure it’s Thanksgiving ready….hey, it’s a fun drink for the first Saturday of November too. Enjoy!

close up photo of Thanksgiving Sangria in pumpkin glass

If you make this Thanksgiving Sangria, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Thanksgiving Sangria.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories Per Serving: 219 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

Instructions

  • 1. In a large pitcher, combine all the ingredients except the ginger beer. Stir and then place in the fridge until chilled.
    2. Before serving, add the ginger beer. Fill each glass with ice and pour the sangria over the ice. If desired top with more ginger beer. Drink up!
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horizontal photo of Thanksgiving Sangria with pitcher in background

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This was a show-stopper! We cut out the orange peels before slicing. This made it easier to use left-over fruit on dessert (someone here mentioned “drunken chopped fruit” over ice cream, it was a fantastic suggestion!).
    Orange peel soaked in triple sec overnight worked well as a garnish. The triple sec went into the sangria.

  2. 5 stars
    Absolutely delicious! I made a day ahead of Thanksgiving and everyone loved it. Received Merlot as a gift today… Have you ever tried this recipe with red wine? Thanks.

  3. 5 stars
    I made this for Thanksgiving and it was such a hit that my company requested that I make it again a few days later. Ginger beer is a great additive and the star anise is a must!

  4. 5 stars
    This was an absolute hit at Thanksgiving!!! My guests couldn’t stop drinking it. It was simply DELICIOUS! I put sugar on the rims of the glasses and made large square ice cubs with folded over sliced orange, fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary. Definite show stopper. I wish I could upload a picture for you.
    I put the pitcher with the leftover fruit back in the fridge (after we drank all of the sangria) until the next day. Can I tell you that “drunken fruit” is amazing over ice cream 🤣

    1. Hey Kristin,
      Happy Saturday!! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe and your comment! So glad to hear it was enjoyed:)

    1. Hey Megan,
      Thanks for making this recipe and your comment, so glad it was enjoyed! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! xx

  5. How far ahead can I make this? I would wait to add the ginger beer, but other than that, can it be made pretty far in advance and kept in the fridge?

    1. Hi Jansen,
      You could make this one day in advance and then add the ginger beer for serving:) I hope you love this recipe! Cheers! xx

    1. Hi Daniela,
      Sure, that should work well for you! Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! Cheers! xx

  6. What are the possible these bourbon instead of Brandy? If so, what do you think would be the difference in measurements? Can’t wait to make this!

    1. Hi Jeanette,
      I have never made this recipe using bourbon, so I am not sure how much it would change the results. Let me know if you give it a try! xx

    1. Hey Ashley,
      It’s really personal preference, I like to use a Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc for this recipe and then Remi Martin makes a good brandy! I hope this helps! xT