This Cranberry Wine Spritzer is perfect to serve in the winter months! It’s full of flavors like cranberry, pear, cardamom, cinnamon, and clove. Make it in a large pitcher to serve at your next party!
This tart and fruity wine typically pairs well with rich, fatty meats, such as pork, lamb, and duck. That’s because the acidity in the wine cuts through the meat’s richness, while its sweetness complements the natural meat flavors.
Cranberry sauce, a staple at many holiday tables, is known for its tart, sweet, and slightly bitter flavor profile. The high acidity and sweetness of cranberry sauce can be a challenge to pair with wine, as it can easily overpower more delicate flavors. Therefore, when pairing wine with cranberry sauce, its important to consider wines that can balance the sauces acidity and sweetness, while also complementing its unique flavor. Beaujolais, a light-bodied red wine from France, is a good match for cranberry sauce. Made from the Gamay grape, Beaujolais is known for its bright acidity and low tannins, which can balance the tartness of the cranberry sauce. Its fruity flavors of red berries and cherries can also complement the sweetness of the sauce. On the other hand, a dry German Riesling, with its high acidity and flavors of green apple, citrus, and stone fruit, can provide a refreshing counterpoint to the sweetness of the cranberry sauce. This white wine is known for its ability to pair well with a variety of dishes, thanks to its balance of sweetness and acidity. Lastly, a California Zinfandel, a robust red wine known for its bold fruit flavors and high alcohol content, can stand up to the strong flavors of cranberry sauce. Its flavors of dark fruit, spice, and sometimes chocolate, can add complexity to the pairing, while its acidity can help cut through the sweetness of the sauce.
A DELICIOUS HOLIDAY DRINK
I love myself a good cocktail here and there and this Cranberry Wine Spritzer is one I especially love during the winter months. The flavors in this drink really pair so well together and warm you up from the inside out. The best part is that it is made in a pitcher so it is great for gatherings where you can just pour over ice as your guests like. I have gotten so many compliments on this drink because the flavors are tasty yet a little different than what you are used to. I like to step out of the box from time to time and that is exactly what we are doing with this Cranberry Wine Spritzer recipe.
A wine spritzer is one of the easiest drinks to make! Pour wine and some soda over a glass of ice and you’re done! This large batch spritzer is perfect for holiday parties and gatherings but could be made by the glass as well. Simply add ice to your glass, fill three-fourths full with wine, top with soda and desired garnishes.
If you can’t find this brand or another cranberry wine, look for another fruit wine. Or perhaps go with a Rose or even a Cabernet Sauvignon for a richer, deeper flavor. I prefer to use something light and sweet with just a hint of tartness. I found this particular Cranberry Wine at World Market but you can find it easily at most places that see wine like Total Wine.
No. Any light colored sweet soda will work. A good substitute would be Ginger Ale or even Sprite. The Pear Soda really adds to the flavor of this recipe. Pear and cardamom round out traditional winter/holiday flavors and work well with the cranberry. But it’s not absolutely necessary for this to taste delicious.
It is a pod spice in the ginger family. Most people are more familiar with ground cardamom. This is an optional addition to the recipe. It makes for a pretty garnish and will add a soft background flavor but it is not necessary for this drink to taste delicious. Generally cardamom pods can be found at grocery stores like Fresh Market or Whole Foods.
I used whole cinnamon sticks and cloves as the star spices in this drink but you could also add star anise or perhaps a pinch of ground nutmeg. This spritzer is very customizable and you can remove or add whatever flavors you prefer.
Sure! If you want a deeper flavor from the whole spices, you can fill the pitcher with the spices, wine, and lime juice and let it sit in the refrigerator for a few hours and up to overnight. Top with soda before serving the next day.
Yes here are some of my suggestions: Too sweet? Add some tonic water in lieu of the soda. Not sweet enough? Add some granulated sugar or simple syrup to make it sweeter. You can also switch up the flavor of the soda. The French Soda brand has other fun flavors, like a Cranberry-lime, that you could try. You could also try adding ginger ale or sprite.
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FAQ
What pairs with cranberry wine?
Is Cranberry Wine Dry or sweet?
Does cranberry wine taste good?
What is a good combo with wine?
What to eat with cranberry sauce?
We love our cranberry sauce with wine! It is a very wine and meat friendly sauce. Why not try it with a roasted duck, chicken, and beef. Pair it with bright and tannic wines full of red berry flavors such as Castello di Verduno “Basadone” Pelaverga Bring water and cranberries to boil and cook on high heat for about 10 minutes.
Can one take oregano and cranberry together?
Oregano can be consumed together with cranberry since together, they have beneficial antimicrobial activity for the organism. However, it may not be a rich combination since oregano has a strong and invasive flavor.
Is cranberry sauce wine-friendly?
Since we are very passionate about food and wine pairing, we often focus on wine-friendly recipes. Making cranberry sauce with wine was another wine-friendly idea that popped up when we were not in a mood to finish the bottle of rose saved from another night. We already had an experience of making a regular cranberry sauce and pairing it with wine.
What food goes well with wine?
The Perfect Match. Foods such as smoked salmon, sharp sauces, pickles and vinaigrettes can be tricky to pair with wine. Credit: Larisa Blinova / Alamy Stock Photo Egg yolk coats the mouth in a very glutinous manner, and crumbly hard-boiled eggs have a sulphurous quality.