Spooky Halloween Sangria – Two Ways!

Get ready to raise a glass to the spooky season with this Halloween Sangria made two ways! One’s dark and moody, the other’s bright and “bloody” but both are equally delicious! Bottoms up!

Who’s ready to toast to the witching hour? Because everyone agrees, this Halloween Sangria is pure magic in a glass.

The Latin root, “sang” means “blood,” and “Sangria” is directly translated from Spanish to mean bleeding or bloodletting. Clearly, the title itself if the reason why this spooky cocktail is the perfect fit for the spooky holiday!

Bold colors, rich autumn fruit, and a balance of sweetness and spice that just hits the spot.

It tastes as dramatic as it looks, and it’s filled with all the flavorful goodness you’ll need to fuel a hardcore session of Trick or Treating.

The best part? I’m giving you two options to try! You can pick from a dark, sultry Black Sangria that’s deep, smooth, and almost smoky. Or you can go for a bright, ruby-red “Blood” Sangria that’s a touch more playful (and on the sweeter side!).

Both versions are naturally sweetened for a lighter cocktail. These boozy beverages are also packed with layers of fruit, wine, and warm liqueur notes. So, every sip feels oh-so-cozy and indulgent.

Whether you’re hosting a haunted dinner party, throwing a full-blown Halloween bash, or just settling in for a scary movie marathon, this sangria is the kind of treat that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds.

So grab your cauldron (your pitcher or punch bowl), toss in your favorite fruit, and snag a chalice (glass), because something wicked this way comes!

Ingredients for Halloween Sangria

Here’s what you’ll need to brew your perfect batch of Halloween sangria. Whether you’re going dark and moody or bright and bloody, these ingredients will make your cocktail shine. Scroll past the recipe card for a general formula to make your own.

For Black Sangria:

Red Wine: Go for a full-bodied, fruity red like Malbec or Cabernet Sauvignon for our spooky dark sangria! Pinot noir works too.

Fruit Juice: Double down on that rich, midnight color by using pomegranate, cherry, or blueberry juice. Any flavor of fruit juice works for sangria, so choose the one you like best!

Brandy: A traditional sangria ingredient, brandy gives our drink depth, body, and backbone without overpowering the fruity flavors.

Pure Maple Syrup or Brown Sugar: For a hint of sweetness to balance the natural acidity of the wine and brandy. The robust earthiness of maple syrup stands up well to the intensity of the red wine. Give it a taste and adjust the amount as needed!

Dark Fruit: Blackberries, black plums, and black grapes are the fruit of choice here. We are making black sangria, after all! Gummy worms are a fun garnish here as well.

For Red Sangria:

White Wine: Use a Sauvignon Blanc if you like a crisp, refreshing taste, or try a Chardonnay for a richer, more luxurious drink!

Dark Fruit Juice: Pomegranate juice or cherry juice will again help achieve the color we’re after, but beet juice is the bloodiest, reddest choice! I know it sounds odd, but trust me: It tastes great in cocktails.

Brandy: As well as the depth and body I mentioned above, brandy also helps to macerate the fruit. That is, it helps draw out their juices and aromas to infuse into our drink.

Sweetener of Choice: Go with pure maple syrup or brown sugar to your personal taste. A splash of apple cider can replace the sweetener but will change the color slightly.

Fruit: Vibrant strawberries, blood-red cherries, pomegranate arils, and the most scarlet honey crisp apple you can find are the perfect trio to complete our sinfully sanguine sangria. Blood oranges are magnificent here for citrus flavor and more spooky factor. 

Toss in some whole spices (cinnamon sticks, some cloves, a star anise pod, or anything else you fancy!) to turn this typically summery drink into a cozy, fall-coded masterpiece. Then, finish with some Sparkling Water (easy) or Champagne (fancy) before you serve for a bit of fizz. Enjoy!

Recipe Customizations

• Fancy a boozy boost? Add a splash of orange liqueur (Cointreau or Grand Marnier are some of my favorites!) or spiced rum for a warmer, richer flavor. If you fancy something bold and a little unexpected, try a hint of tequila!
• Don’t be afraid to play around with your sweetener. Try honey for floral notes, or even coconut sugar for a subtle hint of caramel! Just remember to add your sweetener gradually to avoid a sugar-bomb.
• Craving something lighter? Add mango, pineapple, or even passionfruit chunks for a Halloween-on-the-beach feel.
• I get that sangria is a boozy beverage. But you can also make this mocktail-friendly with pomegranate and grape juice in place of the wine!
• This is totally optional, but you can deepen this Halloween sangria with a splash of blueberry juice or activated charcoal. It’ll give it an inky-black potion look. Otherwise, I find cherry concentrate is fabulous for really amping up that blood-red glow.

Tips for Making the Best Halloween Sangria

• Sangria is one of those “the longer it sits, the better it gets” recipes. Give it at least two hours in the fridge to let all those flavors meld together. Overnight? Even better.
• All wines vary in  their sweetness and acidity levels. So, always give your sangria a cheeky taste test before serving. Add more juice, sweetener, or brandy if you need to.
• When it comes to your wine, there’s no need to break the bank, but don’t go bottom-shelf either. A decent mid-range wine (something you’d enjoy drinking on its own) makes all the difference.
• Double or triple the batch to make a pitcher of sangria if you’re serving a crowd. This Halloween sangria scales up perfectly and always disappears faster than you think. Store it in an airtight container until you need it.

How to Make Halloween Sangria

Start by combining your wine, brandy, fruit juice, and maple syrup in a large pitcher. 

Stir well until everything’s fully combined, then add your fresh fruit.

Refrigerate your sangria for at least 2 hours (or overnight if you can!). Trust me, the flavor gets better the longer it sits. 

When it’s time to serve, pour the sangria over ice and spoon some of that boozy fruit into each glass. If you’re feeling extra festive, top with a splash of sparkling water or champagne and garnish with something spooky. 

And that’s it! A wickedly simple cocktail that tastes like fall, looks like Halloween, and guarantees a good time.

This Halloween Sangria is moody, ultra fruity, and totally bewitching. Perfect for your next Halloween party for a festive fall tablescape. In my experience, it’s the kind of drink that’ll steal the spotlight because it’s the perfect party punch. 

These are great sangria recipes to use as a baseline for enjoyment! Enjoy it throughout the fall season or no matter the time of year!

This naturally sweetened cocktail is fruity, festive, and frighteningly good.

Loved this spooky Halloween sangria recipe? Here are 5 more delicious cocktail recipes for you to try!

More Cocktail Recipes

• Winter Sangria with Pomegranate, Blood Orange, and Apple
• Tropical Avocado Cocktails
• Lemon Thyme Bourbon Cocktails
• Naturally Sweetened Horchata Cocktails
• Cranberry Sauce Bourbon Cocktails

Enjoy this easy Halloween sangria recipe!

General Formula for Sangria:

• 1 (750ml) bottle dry red, white, or rose wine*
• 3 to 5 tablespoons sweetener, such as pure maple syrup or brown sugar
• ¼ to ⅓ cup liquor, such as brandy, dark rum, whisky or bourbon
• 1 to 2 ounces flavored liqueur such as Cointreau. 
• ½ to 1 cup 100% fruit juice
• 2 to 4 cups fresh fruit, chopped
• Extra flavor infusers, such as cinnamon sticks, extracts, and fresh herbs