Red Sangria With Herbs and Citrus

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Ingredients

  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 10 sprigs thyme
  • ⅓ cup rosemary leaves
  • 2 limes, halved lengthwise, thinly sliced crosswise, seeds removed
  • 2 medium oranges, halved lengthwise, thinly sliced crosswise, seeds removed, plus more slices for serving
  • 2 lemons, halved lengthwise, thinly sliced crosswise, seeds removed, plus more slices for serving
  • 10 sprigs mint, plus more for serving
  • 4 star anise pods, plus more
  • 1½ cups brandy
  • ¼ cup orange liqueur (such as Pierre Ferrand dry Curaçao)
  • 2 tablespoons sweet vermouth
  • 2 750-ml bottles chilled fruit-forward red wine (such as grenache or tempranillo)

Steps

  1. Heat sugar and ¾ cup water in a small saucepan over medium-high, stirring to dissolve sugar. Let simple syrup cool.
  2. Place thyme sprigs, rosemary, lime slices, slices from 2 oranges and 2 lemons, 10 mint sprigs, and 4 star anise pods in a large bowl; pour in brandy, liqueur, and vermouth. Chill base at least 4 hours and up to 12 hours (longer is better).
  3. Strain base through a fine-mesh sieve into a large pitcher filled with ice, pressing on solids. Stir in wine and 1 cup simple syrup. Garnish with more orange slices, lemon slices, mint sprigs, and star anise. Chill at least 1 hour before serving. Serve sangria in ice-filled glasses.
  4. Do Ahead: Base can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.