Merry Christmas everyone! Last year we started a new holiday tradition to do an annual Santa party at the house. All of our family and friends bring their kids over and we have the most wonderful Santa to take pictures with. The kids have so much fun and it’s so special seeing the joy on their faces.

We usually have close to 75 people that attend so I always try to plan my food and beverage menu well in advance. A good hostess should always have a fantastic spread right?! I’m always looking for recipes that are delicious and can be made in a large quantity. This Christmas Red Sangria is the perfect recipe. It’s festive with a hint of sweetness from the fruit but still maintains the boldness of the Llano Estacado 2016 Meritage Red Blend wine.

Llano Estacado has been a long-time favorite winery of mine and is a go-to for holiday parties (as well as any other occasion). It’s the largest, best-selling Premium Winery in Texas and has been an ongoing pioneer in introducing not just Texans, but also the entire world to the great wines made in the Lone Star State. The winery produces approximately 50 varietals of wine, including numerous award winning wines so they have everything you might like.

It also makes a great gift as well! The Meritage Red blend has the distinction of being accepted into the prestigious American Meritage Association.  Meritage wines are provocative wines crafted solely from specific “noble” Bordeaux grape varieties, and recognizes the centuries-old tradition of blending, long considered to be the highest form of the winemaker’s art. The 2016 Meritage Red is a blend of predominately Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot.

Now let’s get to some cocktail making and don’t forget to scroll below to enter a giveaway to win a $25 Llano Estacado gift card!

Ingredients:

• (1) bottle of Llano Estacado 2016 Meritage Red Blend
• (2) Oranges
• (2) Granny Smith Apples
• (2) Pomegranates
• (2) Pears
• (4) Cinnamon Sticks
• (4) Rosemary Sticks
• 1/8 cup simple syrup

Directions: (recipe makes approx. 4 servings)

• Pour one bottle of the Llano Estacado 2016 Meritage Red Blend into a large pitcher.
• Pour 1/8 cup simple syrup into pitcher and stir gently.
• Cut the oranges, pears and apples into quarters and gently add to pitcher.
• Cut Pomegranate in half and scoop out seeds with spoon. Add to pitcher.
• Optional: Chill mixture for a few minutes until cool.
• Pour into 4 glasses and use spoon to ladle fruit among glasses.
• Garnish each glass with a stick of rosemary and cinnamon stick.

Merry Christmas everyone it’s GIVEAWAY TIME! Enter to win a $25 Llano Estacado gift card!

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Follow Llano Estacado on social media:

Facebook: Llano Estacado Winery 

Twitter: @llanowine

Instagram: @llanowine

MORE LLANO ESTACADO RECIPES: 

ROSÉ ALL DAY: 3 DELICIOUS ROSÉ COCKTAIL RECIPES PERFECT FOR SUMMER

SLOW COOKER RED WINE BRISKET RECIPE

Photography Provided By:

Josie Rees

Disclaimer: I received compensation for this post from Llano Estacado. All opinions expressed here are my own.