Black Halloween Sangria
This post might have affiliate links. For full details please see my disclosure policy.
This black Halloween sangria has brandy, orange liqueur, pomegranate juice, grapes, cherries, and blackberries! It only has a few simple ingredients that make for a fruity, boozy drink. Made in a pitcher, it’s a cute, spooky little cocktail for a Halloween party!
I know loving Halloween is a little basic these days, but I’d be lying if I said that I haven’t been planning my Halloween costume since June. So why not just lean fully into the holiday? I’m talking witchy black velvet cake and Halloween charcuterie boards.
It’s spooky szn y’all!
And of course, it isn’t Halloween without some kind of cocktail to sip on while passing out candy or partying with friends. And after throwing dozens of get-togethers, I’ve come to the conclusion that sangria is the perfect party drink. My family used to make it all the time for dinners or parties and now I’m carrying on the tradition with my friends.
- Sangria is truly the quickest, easiest cocktail ever. Just mix it, the end.
- It’s made in a pitcher so it’s great for parties and groups.
- With dark fruit and red wine, this cocktail is nice and spooky for Halloween. And no food coloring!
- This is the perfect make-ahead cocktail because it needs to sit for a few hours.
A few things you’ll need
- Red wine – Rioja is typically used in sangria but any fruity wine will do. I recommend picking something on the drier side so the cocktail isn’t too sweet!
- Pomegranate juice – this will mellow out the cocktail and add tartness and acidity. You can also use cranberry, sour cherry, or grape juice.
- Brandy – the brandy adds richness, depth, and a bit more alcohol to the sangria. If you’re not a fan of brandy, try vodka, bourbon, or dark rum instead.
- Orange liqueur – go for something like Triple Sec. The orange liqueur perfectly complements the pomegranate juice – so good!
- Simple syrup – for just a touch of sweetness. To make your own, combine equal parts sugar and water in a pot, bring it to a boil for 1-2 minutes, and let it cool completely.
- Fresh fruit – black grapes, blackberries, black cherries, and figs taste amazing and add to the spooky vibes.
For the best flavor, use 100% juice with no added sugar or flavors. Otherwise, the cocktail might be too sweet!
Step-by-step directions
- Place the halved grapes, halved cherries, and blackberries to a large pitcher or punch bowl.
- Then, pour in the wine, pomegranate juice, brandy, orange liqueur, and simple syrup.
- Stir until well combined. Cover and refrigerate for a few hours.
- Lastly, pour the sangria into glasses, garnish with blackberries and figs, and enjoy!
The sangria needs to sit for at least 2 hours. You want to give the cocktail time for all of the flavors to meld together. Trust me, this is the secret to great (not just good) sangria!
Make-ahead & refrigerate
Since the sangria needs to meld for at least 2 hours, you can mix up this cocktail the night before you plan on serving it. Cover the pitcher and refrigerate it until you’re ready to serve. Just don’t make it too far in advance or the fruit will get mealy!
Best wine for sangria
The most traditional wine in red sangria is Rioja, but you can use other varieties too! For this sangria, I recommend something medium or full-bodied to get that dark color. Also, I have never tried making this sangria with white wine, but you can definitely give it a try! Choose a dry, fruity white wine like Pinot Grigio for the best flavor. For red wine, try these varieties.
- Malbec
- Zinfandel
- Syrah
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Garnacha
This is not the time to spend a whole lot of pennies on a nice bottle of wine. Since we’re mixing it with liqueurs, simple syrup, and juice, it’s not worth using a really nice bottle. Just pick something you enjoy drinking but is still affordable!
Recipe notes
- For an extra spooky effect, use dry ice! Just be careful not to touch the dry ice with your bare hands.
- If you prefer less sweet cocktails, start with half of the simple syrup. Taste and add more simple syrup if you like.
- For a big crowd, double the recipe. You could even triple or quadruple it if you’re having a lot of people over.
- Serve this cocktail chilled. You can either serve it over ice or just refrigerate it right before pouring.
- If you want a red Halloween drink, use a light-bodied red wine instead. Pinot Noir is my favorite!
If you make this recipe, I would love it if you left a star rating and review! I read every single comment and love hearing what you think about my recipes. Thank you for supporting Sunday Table!
Black Halloween Sangria
Ingredients
- 1 cup halved black grapes (175 grams)
- 1 cup halved black cherries, pitted (200 grams)
- 1 cup blackberries, plus more for garnish (150 grams)
- 1 750 milliliter bottle of fruity, dry red wine (I use Rioja)
- 1 1/2 cups 100% pomegranate juice (354 milliliters)
- 1/3 cup brandy (80 milliliters)
- 1/3 cup orange liqueur (80 milliliters)
- 1/4 cup simple syrup, more or less to taste (60 milliliters)
- 4 figs, halved
Equipment
- 1 Pitcher or punch bowl
Instructions
- Add the grapes, cherries, and blackberries to a pitcher or punch bowl.
- Then, pour the wine, pomegranate juice, brandy, orange liqueur, and simple syrup over the fruit. Give it a good stir.
- Cover the pitcher or punch bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. Pour the chilled sangria into glasses (you can also serve it over ice) and garnish with blackberries and figs. Enjoy!
Where do you get black cherries
Hi Elaine! I can usually find them at my local grocery store in late summer/autumn. They are also marketed as ‘dark sweet cherries’. Hope that helps! xx.
just curious..If I’m not a fan of Brandy – what can use instead?
Hey Lori! You can try vodka, bourbon, or dark rum instead of brandy. 🙂 I would go with vodka for the most neutral flavor!