I spent years trying to find a holiday-worthy drink for everyone at the party. You know, something that wasn’t just a sad bottle of soda or a kids’ juice box. I wanted something festive, beautiful in the glass, and sophisticated enough that no one felt like they were at the “kids’ table.” And then, after a lot of experimenting, this gorgeous, festive Non-Alcoholic White Sangria was born!
It hits all the right notes: it’s bright, perfectly sweet-tart, and infused with an amazing (and surprising) holiday warmth from cinnamon and cranberries. It looks absolutely brilliant in a pitcher, with all the vibrant reds and greens. Best of all? You can whip this up in about 10 minutes of active prep time, and it’s the ultimate make-ahead-and-forget-it party drink. It’s not just “juice,” it’s an experience, and it’s one I’m so excited to share with you.
Table of Contents
Non-Alcoholic White Sangria
Ingredients
For the Mocktail Base:
- 3 cups sparkling white grape juice chilled
- ½ cup white cranberry juice
- â…“ cup fresh orange juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
For the Fruit & Spices:
- 1 red apple cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 3 cinnamon sticks plus extra for garnish
- 1 orange sliced into rounds
For Serving:
- 1 cup lemon-lime soda or club soda
- Fresh rosemary sprigs optional, for garnish
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Prepare the Fruit: Wash and cube the red apple (skin on), rinse the cranberries, and slice the orange into thin rounds. Place all the prepared fruit and the 3 cinnamon sticks into a large glass pitcher.
- Mix the Juice Base: Pour the white cranberry juice, fresh orange juice, and fresh lime juice into the pitcher over the fruit. Stir gently to combine.
- Chill & Infuse: Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for at least 2-4 hours, or ideally overnight. This step (maceration) is essential for allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Add the Sparkle: Just before serving, remove the pitcher from the fridge. Add the chilled sparkling white grape juice and the lemon-lime soda (or club soda). Stir very gently to preserve the bubbles.
- Serve: Fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the sangria over the ice, making sure each glass gets a generous spoonful of the infused fruit. Garnish with an extra cinnamon stick and a fresh sprig of rosemary for a festive touch.
Nutrition
What is a Non-Alcoholic White Sangria?
At its heart, Non-Alcoholic White Sangria is a vibrant, alcohol-free pitcher drink built on a base of juice, sparkling water, and a generous amount of beautiful, fresh fruit.
Unlike its red sangria counterpart, which often has deeper, tannic flavors, a white sangria mocktail is typically lighter, crisper, and has a brighter, fruit-forward profile. It’s a total crowd-pleaser.
While many white sangrias are summery (and we love those!), this recipe is my special holiday version. We’re taking that classic virgin white sangria concept and giving it a festive, cozy twist. By adding fresh cranberries, warm cinnamon sticks, and an optional sprig of rosemary, we create a drink that is perfectly at home on a Thanksgiving or Christmas table. It’s sophisticated, refreshing, and genuinely inclusive.
Key Ingredients for This Holiday Mocktail
Getting your ingredients together is, in fact, the most challenging part, but I promise it’s not as hard as you think! Here’s what you’ll need to create that festive pitcher.
- Sparkling White Grape Juice: This is the heart of our mocktail. It brings the perfect level of sweetness and a little body that mimics a sweet wine.
- White Cranberry Juice: This is my secret weapon! It adds a fantastic, crisp tartness that cuts the sweetness of the grape juice. It’s lighter and more delicate than red cranberries.
- Fresh Orange & Lime Juice: This is non-negotiable for me. That fresh citrus punch brings a “zippy” brightness that a bottled juice can’t match.
- Red Apple & Fresh Cranberries: These are for flavor and for beauty! The apple soaks up the flavors and adds its own, while the cranberries provide that stunning, jewel-toned holiday color.
- Cinnamon Sticks: This is what makes it a holiday sangria. It infuses the whole pitcher with a gentle, aromatic warmth that is so comforting.
- Lemon-Lime Soda (or Club Soda): We add this at the very end for that final, festive spritz and fizz!
Step-by-Step: How to Make Non-Alcoholic White Sangria
Alright, let’s make this! This recipe is all about simple prep and letting time do the work for you. Here are the steps:
â‘ Prepare the Fresh Fruit
First, get your fruit ready. Wash and cube one red apple into 1-inch pieces. I love keeping the colorful skin on for that beautiful red contrast! Rinse your fresh cranberries and pat them dry. Then, slice one orange into thin rounds. Place all of this prepared fruit, along with the three cinnamon sticks, into a large glass pitcher.
â‘¡ Mix the Juice Base
Now, pour the white cranberry juice, fresh orange juice, and fresh lime juice right into the pitcher over the fruit. Please give it a gentle stir to combine all the ingredients. That citrus juice is going to get to work right away, mingling with the fruit and starting to extract all those amazing flavors.
â‘¢ Chill & Infuse (The Magic Step!)
This is the most crucial part, and it’s where all the flavor magic takes place. Cover your pitcher with plastic wrap and pop it into the refrigerator for at least 2-4 hours.
I know, waiting is the hardest part, but this is what separates “juice with fruit in it” from authentic “sangria.” This “maceration” period allows all those wonderful holiday flavors to meld together. The fruit infuses the juices, the cinnamon sticks soften and release their warmth, and everything becomes one delicious, complex drink.
My Personal Tip: Make this the night before! Allowing it to chill overnight (up to 24 hours) yields an even deeper, more robust flavor. It’s the definition of a perfect party: prep ahead.
â‘£ Add the Sparkle
Just before you’re ready to serve, remove the pitcher from the fridge. Now it’s time for the fizz! Add the sparkling white grape juice and the lemon-lime soda (or club soda). Stir very gently just enough to combine. You want to preserve all those fantastic, festive bubbles!
⑤ Serve Over Ice
Set out your wine glasses or festive goblets and fill them with ice cubes. Pour the virgin white sangria over the ice, making sure to spoon some of that beautiful, infused fruit into every glass.
For a final, elegant touch, I love to garnish each glass with an extra cinnamon stick and a fresh sprig of rosemary. It looks so professional and smells like the holidays!
Tips, Variations, and Make-Ahead Magic
This recipe is a fantastic starting point, and I totally encourage you to play with it and make it your own! Here are a few of my favorite tips and variations.
Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
- Make-Ahead: As I mentioned, this drink is best when made ahead. You can (and should!) complete Steps 1-3 up to 24 hours in advance. Just keep it covered in the fridge, then add the fizzy ingredients (Step 4) right before your guests arrive. It’s a total game-changer for easy hosting.
- Storage: Got leftovers? (It’s rare, but it happens!) Your non-alcoholic white sangria will keep in a covered pitcher in the fridge for about 1-2 days. The fruit will become softer, and the fizz will subside, but the flavor will remain delicious.
Fun Variations & Substitutions
- For a Drier, More “Wine-Like” Version: If you find the sparkling grape juice too sweet, you can absolutely make this a non-alcoholic white wine sangria. Substitute the 3 cups of sparkling grape juice with a 750ml bottle of your preferred non-alcoholic Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling. It will give the sangria a drier, more adult complexity that is really lovely.
- Change Up the Fizz: My personal preference is the sweet-citrus kick of lemon-lime soda, but you can also use ginger ale for a spicier, warmer note. For a much less sweet version, opt for plain club soda or sparkling water. All are excellent choices!
- Swap the Fruit: Feel free to get creative. A sliced pear would be an excellent substitute for the apple. A handful of pomegranate seeds would look like little red jewels floating in the glass!
A Note on Nutrition
Nutritional information is approximate and may vary based on the specific brands of juice and soda used. For one serving (about 1/8th of the pitcher), you can expect approximately:
- Calories: 110-130 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 28-32 g
- Sugar: 25-29 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
What to Serve With This Virgin White Sangria
Because this virgin white sangria is so bright, crisp, and festive, it pairs beautifully with a wide range of foods. It’s especially good at cutting through richer holiday dishes.
I love to serve it at a party alongside a big, savory Holiday Cheese Board. The sangria’s bright acidity is the perfect partner for creamy brie, salty prosciutto, and delicious nuts. It’s also fantastic for a holiday brunch, served with something like a rich Winter Quiche or baked French toast.
Honestly, just set out the pitcher and a tray of small bites, and you’ve got an instant party!
Your Holiday Mocktail Questions Answered (FAQ)
What is in a non-alcoholic sangria?
It’s a simple, beautiful formula! At its core, a non-alcoholic sangria recipe includes three main things:
A Juice Base: Usually white grape juice or a non-alcoholic wine.
Fresh, Sliced Fruit: Citrus (such as oranges and lemons) is a must, along with other fruits like apples and cranberries we’re using.
A Splash of Fizz: This typically refers to sparkling water, seltzer, or a lemon-lime soda to add a festive sparkle.
Am I still sober if I drink non-alcoholic wine?
This is an essential question. By law in the United States, “non-alcoholic” wines can contain up to 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV). For comparison, a regular bottle of wine is usually 12-14% ABV. For most people, this trace amount is not an issue. However, suppose you are in recovery or avoiding alcohol altogether for health or religious reasons. In that case, you may prefer to stick with a 0.0% alcohol base, like the sparkling grape juice used in this recipe’s main instructions.
Is there a non-alcoholic wine that tastes like real wine?
This is the million-dollar question! The N/A wine world has improved so much in the last few years. While they will never have the exact “bite” or “heat” that comes from alcohol, many brands now do a fantastic job of capturing the complex flavor profiles, dryness, fruit notes, and acidity. For a white sangria mocktail, I’d recommend looking for a non-alcoholic Sauvignon Blanc or a dry Riesling.
What drink makes you feel buzzed but no alcohol?
I totally get what you’re asking. You want a drink that feels special and complex, not just like you’re drinking a kid’s juice box. While no non-alcoholic drink will give you an actual buzz (that’s the alcohol!), drinks with complex, “grown-up” flavors can feel far more satisfying. Think about the spicy “kick” from a strong ginger beer, the tartness of a vinegar-based shrub, or the aromatic notes in an herbal-infused tonic. This sangria, with its blend of tart citrus, warm cinnamon, and fresh fruit, definitely falls into that “special” category!
Cheers to Easy Entertaining!
And that’s all there is to it. You’ve got a show-stopping, festive, and genuinely delicious non-alcoholic white sangria that everyone at the party can enjoy. It’s bright, refreshing, and feels special to hold.
It’s proof that you don’t need alcohol to have a sophisticated, fun, and totally crave-worthy beverage for your gathering.
I hope you whip this up for your next holiday. If you try it, please let me know in the comments below! I’d love to hear how it went or if you added your own fun variations.
Happy holidays and happy hosting!
