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Boozy Blood Orange Sangria: The Best Halloween Party Punch

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This blood orange sangria is a simple, make-ahead Halloween punch with deep red color and warm, cozy flavors. It’s naturally spooky without artificial coloring and perfect for sharing with friends.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine (Spanish Tempranillo or medium-bodied Merlot)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) pomegranate juice (100% pure)
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) blood orange juice (fresh-squeezed from 2–3 blood oranges)
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) orange liqueur (triple sec or Cointreau)
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) honey or agave syrup
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 star anise (optional)
  • 3 blood oranges (2 for juicing, 1 for slicing)
  • 1 pomegranate (for seeds, about 1/2 cup)
  • 1 apple (Honeycrisp or Fuji, sliced)
  • 1/2 cup fresh cranberries (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the fruit: Slice 1 blood orange into thin rounds (about 1/4-inch thick). Cut rounds in half if desired. Slice apple into thin wedges, removing core. Cut pomegranate in half and tap back with a wooden spoon to release seeds into a bowl. Pick out any white pith.
  2. Juice the citrus: Juice remaining 2 blood oranges to get about 1/2 cup juice. Supplement with a regular orange if needed.
  3. Build the base: In a large pitcher or punch bowl, combine red wine, pomegranate juice, blood orange juice, orange liqueur, and honey. Stir until honey dissolves completely. If honey is stubborn, warm it slightly in the microwave for 10 seconds.
  4. Add the aromatics: Drop in cinnamon stick and star anise (if using). Stir gently.
  5. Add the fruit: Add sliced blood oranges, apple wedges, pomegranate seeds, and cranberries (if using). Stir gently to distribute fruit without mashing.
  6. Chill and steep: Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably 4-6 hours. Overnight is even better. Taste after 2 hours and adjust steeping time as needed.
  7. Serve: Fill glasses with ice (if desired) and pour sangria, including some fruit in each glass. Give pitcher a gentle swirl before each pour to redistribute pomegranate seeds.
  8. Garnish (optional): Add a fresh blood orange slice or small sprig of rosemary to each glass.

Notes

Don’t use expensive wine; a $10 bottle of dry red works perfectly. Serve cold but not ice-cold; let sit out for 10 minutes after refrigeration. Taste and adjust sweetness/tartness before serving. For best results, steep liquid and spices overnight, then add fruit 4-6 hours before serving. Leftover sangria keeps in refrigerator for up to 3 days; remove fruit after 6 hours if storing longer.

Nutrition

Keywords: sangria, Halloween punch, blood orange, pomegranate, fall cocktail, party drink, make-ahead

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/boozy-blood-orange-sangria-the-best-halloween-party-punch/