*This Red Wine Sangria is the perfect make-ahead cocktail for a party or picnic. Fruity pomegranate juice, plus chunks of apples and oranges, help to sweeten up the bold red wine base.*

Since moving to San Francisco, I’ve hosted (or helped to host) a few parties. From Halloween shindigs to New Year’s Eve soirees, I love planning a festive and seasonal gathering. My favorite was a housewarming party that started with a furious last-minute cleaning session and ended (past three in the morning) with many new friends and one very vexed upstairs neighbor.

Over time, I’ve learned a thing or two about hosting a successful get together:

1. The more people, the merrier. Chances are, at least some of your friends will be otherwise occupied. So be generous with your invites – a slightly-too-crowded party is way more fun that one that’s awkwardly empty.
2. Regardless of theme or time of year, a bag of chips and some salsa will never go to waste. Also, Trader Joe’s makes some pretty incredible (and stupidly easy to bake) pigs in a blanket.
3. A delicious, signature cocktail – especially one that’s also easy to make in big batches – is a fun way to put everyone in the party mood.

This last tip took me a couple of tries to get right. A fancy elderflower champagne concoction was elegant, but didn’t have that mass appeal. Strawberry margaritas are certainly delicious, but kept me measuring and stirring for the entire duration of the night. Finally, I realized that a make-ahead sangria is the perfect party solution. Equal parts casual, fun, and delicious, this red wine sangria features fruity pomegranate juice, an easy simple syrup, and just enough brandy for a bit of a buzz.