Toast the Holidays with Spiced Cranberry Sangria

The next three weeks will be an absolute whirlwind. There will be holiday parties, gatherings, cookie exchanges, office parties and so much more that will make me feel a little bit overwhelmed. Its the happiest time of yearbut also the time that moves the fastest and most stressful.

This sangria is meant to make this time of year slightly easier because theres alcohol, and its the most fuss-free drink to throw together for a large group. This recipe starts off with cranberries simmered in orange juice, water, ginger, sugar and a cinnamon stick. None of these flavors overwhelm the cranberry syrupthey just add hints. The cranberry syrup is strained and mixed with a bit of Cointreau and in this case, white wine, but this recipe actually works well with a light red wine, too. Whatever you have on hand.

Garnish the sangria with more cranberries, slices of apples, slices of orange and other citrus, if you have it. Let it marinate in the fridge; sangria always tastes a bit better after being able to marry together.

Adrianna Adarme is a food blogger and author living in Los Angeles, California. She writes the blog A Cozy Kitchen, where she shares comforting, everyday recipes from her kitchen. She recently authored her first cookbook, PANCAKES: 72 Sweet and Savory Recipes for the Perfect Stack. She's a lover of breakfast, pie (and sometimes even pie for breakfast), corgis and cute things. You can find her on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.