Every winter season, River Mountain brings out it’s famous Winter Sangria Recipe. It has quickly become one of the favorite drinks during the colder months. If you can’t make it to River Mountain this season to taste it for yourself, try one of these winter sangria recipes to bring a little piece of River Mountain into your home.

Pomegranate Winter Sangria
1 bottle of sweeter red wine
1 cup pomegranate juice
1/4 cup Triple Sec, cointreau or Grand Marnier (orange liqueur)
1/4 cup brandy
2 tbsp simple syrup
1 orange cut into slices
1 green apple (remove from core and cut into chunks)
1 cup grapes (cut in half)
1/4 cup blackberries
1/2 pomegranate (just the arils (seeds))

Add all of these ingredients together in a large pitcher and let rest for at least 4 hours in a refrigerator or chilled area. Garnish with cranberries. If you prefer to make this drink without alcohol, replace the wine with a carbonated soda like Sprite. This drink is typically served chilled. To serve this drink warm, add all ingredients into a slow cooker and let heat for up to one hour.

Spiced Winter Sangria
2 bottle semi-dry spanish red wine
3 cups apple cider or sugar free apple juice
3 honeycrisp apples cored and sliced
Juice from 3 oranges about 1 cup
2 oranges sliced with the peel
2/3 cup brandy
1/2 cup Grand Marnier
6-7 cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoon whole cloves

Add all of the ingredients to a slow cooker and cook on high for one hour. Do not go over one hour, it will start to taste bitter. After one hour, turn the heat to “warm” and serve with fresh fruit and cinnamon sticks. This drink is typically served warm. To serve this drink chilled, add all ingredients into a large pitcher and refrigerate for 1-2 hours. Top with club soda if desired.

Cranberry Winter Sangria
4 cups Cran-Apple Juice
2 bottles red Moscato
1 bottle Prosecco
1/2 cup vodka
2 cups frozen cranberries
1/3 cup mint leaves
1/2 cup granulated sugar, for rimming glasses
2 limes, sliced into rounds

Combine all ingredients in a punch bowl or large pitcher, stir together and let rest in the refrigerator if desired. Using a wedge of lime, wet rim of glasses. Dip in sugar until coated. This drink is typically served chilled.

Though River Mountain’s own recipe may be a secret, these recipes will be sure to get you pretty darn close. To try the real thing, come enjoy our Winter Sangria during happy hour in the old log cabin every day from 5pm-6pm.