Spooky Sangria is the perfect Halloween party drink, combining the deep, rich flavors of red wine, dark fruit, and a hint of citrus for a chillingly good time. This sangria recipe is loaded with spooky garnishes like “floating” fruit slices and gummy worms to add a frightful flair to your festivities. Easy to make and perfect for serving a crowd, this sangria will be the haunting centerpiece of any Halloween gathering!
Ingredients
- 1 bottle of red wine (750 ml, preferably a fruity red like Merlot or Shiraz)
- 1/4 cup brandy or orange liqueur
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup pomegranate juice
- 1/4 cup simple syrup (or to taste)
- 1 orange, thinly sliced
- 1 apple, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup blackberries or blueberries
- 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
- Gummy worms or spooky candy (optional garnish)
- Club soda (optional, for a bit of fizz)
- Ice cubes
Directions
- Prepare the Fruit:
Add the orange slices, apple slices, blackberries, and pomegranate seeds to a large pitcher. - Mix the Sangria Base:
Pour the red wine, brandy (or orange liqueur), orange juice, and pomegranate juice over the fruit. Stir in the simple syrup to sweeten, adjusting to your taste. - Chill:
Refrigerate the sangria for at least 2 hours (or up to 24 hours) to allow the flavors to blend together. - Serve:
Just before serving, add ice cubes to the pitcher and give the sangria a final stir. For an extra spooky touch, drop a few gummy worms or spooky candy into each glass. - Optional:
For a sparkling version, top off each glass with a splash of club soda before serving.
Time and Servings
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Chill Time: 2 hours (or more for stronger flavors)
- Servings: 6-8 glasses
Variations
- White Spooky Sangria: Substitute red wine with a crisp white wine or sparkling wine for a lighter version. Add green grapes and apple slices for a ghostly twist.
- Non-Alcoholic Spooky Sangria: Use a non-alcoholic red wine or grape juice, and replace the brandy with extra pomegranate juice for a kid-friendly version.
FAQs
Can I make this sangria ahead of time?
Yes, sangria actually tastes better when the flavors have had time to blend. You can make it the night before and let it chill in the fridge overnight.
What other spooky garnishes can I add?
In addition to gummy worms, you can freeze plastic spider rings into ice cubes, add blood orange slices for a gory look, or float lychee “eyeballs” (lychees stuffed with blueberries) in the sangria!
How do I adjust the sweetness?
You can increase or reduce the amount of simple syrup to your liking. If the fruit and juice are already sweet, you may not need much at all.
Spooky Sangria
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: Stirred
- Cuisine: Spanish-inspired
Description
This Spooky Sangria is a frightfully fun and easy cocktail for your Halloween parties. Made with red wine, fresh fruit, and a splash of orange liqueur, it’s spiked with flavors that are perfectly eerie for the spooky season. You can add creepy garnishes like floating lychee eyeballs or gummy worms for extra Halloween flair.
Ingredients
- 1 bottle (750ml) red wine (such as Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon)
- 1/4 cup orange liqueur (like Cointreau or Triple Sec)
- 1 cup cranberry juice
- 1/4 cup brandy (optional)
- 2 oranges, sliced
- 1 apple, chopped
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh blackberries
- 1–2 tablespoons sugar (optional, to taste)
- 1 cup soda water or lemon-lime soda (optional for fizz)
- Ice cubes
- Gummy worms, lychees, or other spooky garnishes (optional)
Instructions
- In a large pitcher, combine the red wine, orange liqueur, cranberry juice, and brandy (if using).
- Add the orange slices, apple pieces, lemon slices, and blackberries to the pitcher.
- Stir in sugar if you’d like the sangria a bit sweeter.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld together. The longer it sits, the better it tastes.
- Just before serving, add soda water or lemon-lime soda if you want a fizzy sangria.
- Serve over ice in glasses and garnish with gummy worms, lychees, or other spooky decorations for a Halloween twist.
Notes
- Make it ahead of time! Sangria tastes even better when it sits overnight.
- Add spooky garnishes like “eyeballs” by stuffing a blueberry into the center of a peeled lychee.
- If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, swap out the wine for grape juice and omit the liqueur and brandy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass (approximately 8 oz)
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 5mg