Several years ago, I took a cooking class from Yolanda Banks with Fresh is Fabulous and she shared this recipe with us. She is an extrememly talented cooking instructor and can be booked for private events. She is local to Dallas and I encourage you learn more about her. Visit her website at http://freshisfabulous.net.

Cranberry Sangria

• 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 1 vanilla bean - cut it in half 
• 1 bottle red wine - something sweet like a Pinot Noir of Beaujolais
• 1/2 cup brandy
• 1/2 Grand Marnier
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup fresh cranberries
• 2 oranges

Bring the following ingredients to a boil:

• 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 1 vanilla bean - cut it in half 

Reduce heat to low and simmer until cranberries pop. Let sit for 30 minutes.

Pour mixture in a mesh colander and press all the juice out. Let cool completely.

Once cooled, add:

• 1 bottle wine
• 1/2 cup brandy
• 1/2 Grand Marnier
• 1 cup orange juice

Add cranberries and oranges slices. Chill overnight. Serve over ice.