Christmas Ale Sangria.

Name: Christmas Ale Sangria.
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups apple cider; 1/2 cup vodka; 6 dashes orange bitters; 2 pears (sliced); 3 oranges (sliced); arils from 1 pomegranate; 1 cup cranberries; 3 cinnamon sticks; 5 bottles Christmas Ale (chilled); sparkling water (for topping (optional))

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December 17, 2016

Posted in Christmas, Christmas Drink Saturday, Cocktails, Drinks, Holidays + Seasonal, Recipes, Winter

Better known as a super fancy way to drink beer…Christmas style!

Christmas Ale Sangria | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

I’m not sure if any of you are familiar with Great Lakes Brewing Company’s Christmas Ale, but if you live in Cleveland Ohio…aka “The Land”, then you know it’s a Christmas tradition. Everyone has to drink some Christmas Ale at least once during the holiday a season, it’s just a must. I’ve had this drink in my back pocket for months now and I am so excited to finally share it…like so excited. Basically, this is just a really fancy way to drink beer…which is cool cause it’s Christmas and anything goes!

This Christmas Ale Sangria is actually nothing like a traditional sangria, but…it’s kind of the same idea. Just take a beer and mix it with fruit, a little apple cider, a little vodka, a few dashes of orange bitters and then top it off with some sparkles, if you’d like. I know it sounds kind of odd, but it’s actually really good and it works really nicely with Christmas Ale since it’s a heavier beer with hints of cinnamon, ginger and honey…perfect for a sangria style drink! Since the beer is heavier, it can handle the addition of the apple cider and vodka…not to mention that all the flavors go really nicely together. Since I like a little fizz with pretty much all my drinks, I topped mine with some sparkling water, but I get it if you’re not into sparkles in your beer. Me personally…love em!

Here’s the thing with this sangria. Unlike traditional sangria, you don’t want to add the beer and then let it sit in the fridge. Since beer is carbonated, you’ll need to add it just before serving. SO mix up all the other ingredients, then let them chill in the fridge and infuse the vodka a bit. Then just before serving, add the beer. See, still simple as can be! This is great for all the beer drinkers at the party or just another fun way to serve up Christmas. Plus, this drink is obviously delicious and super refreshing. I made this on Thursday for my cousin Abby’s arrival and it’s safe to say this drink was a hit.

Oh, and seeing as I live in Colorado, I couldn’t find the Great Lakes Christmas Ale, BUT I did find some Breckenridge Brewery Christmas Ale, and I gotta say, their cute little bottles had me sold from the get-go. I mean, these are the best Christmas beer bottle I’ve ever seen. Love them!

4.3 from 10 votes

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

The Recipe

Christmas Ale Sangria.

By halfbakedharvest

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: sangria

Better known as a super fancy way to drink beer...Christmas style!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Servings 8 servings

Calories 183 kcal

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups apple cider
1/2 cup vodka
6 dashes orange bitters
2 pears sliced
3 oranges sliced
arils from 1 pomegranate
1 cup cranberries
3 cinnamon sticks
5 bottles Christmas Ale chilled
sparkling water for topping (optional)

Instructions

In a large pitcher, add the apple cider, vodka and orange bitters, stir to combine. Add the pears, oranges, pomegranate arils, and cranberries. Chill until ready to serve.
Before serving, slowly pour in the beer and gently stir to combine. Pour among glasses and top with sparkling water if desired.

Cheers to the holidays and family fun!

If you make this recipe, be sure to tag your photo #halfbakedharvest.