Christmas Sangria

Steps

1. Warm the honey, 1/2 cup of the cranberry juice and the cinnamon sticks in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring, until the honey dissolves, about 3 minutes. Let it cool for 10 minutes.
2. Pour the wine, the remaining 1 cup of cranberry juice, the brandy and the orange liqueur into a large pitcher. Stir in the cooled honey mixture, cinnamon sticks and all.
3. Drop in the orange and apple slices and the cranberries, and stir gently.
4. Cover and chill for 3 to 4 hours, so the fruit and cinnamon can flavor the wine.
5. Fill glasses with ice and pour in the sangria with some of the fruit. Top with a splash of sparkling water if you like, and tuck in a rosemary sprig.

Good to know

• For an alcohol-free pitcher, use alcohol-free red wine or 3 cups unsweetened grape juice instead of the wine, replace the brandy and liqueur with 1/2 cup orange juice, and use half the honey.
• You can mix it up to 1 day ahead; add the apple slices within 4 hours of serving so they stay crisp.
• For a party of 12, double everything and serve it from two pitchers or a large drink dispenser.
• Swap half the cranberry juice for pomegranate juice, and stir in a handful of pomegranate seeds for sparkle.