Sangria Recipe
If any drink could capture the carefree spirit of summer in a glass, Sangria would win hands down! This Spanish-inspired classic packs a punch of refreshing flavors from juicy fruits, crisp wine, and a playful sparkling finish. It’s impossibly easy to make and the type Beverage. Sangria truly transforms simple ingredients into a vibrant pitcher of pure joy — and once you try it, you’ll wonder how you ever entertained without it!
Ingredients You’ll Need
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For the Sangria:
- 1 bottle (750ml) dry red wine
- 1/4 cup brandy
- 1/4 cup orange liqueur (such as triple sec)
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 orange, thinly sliced
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced
- 1 lime, thinly sliced
- 1 cup sliced strawberries
- 1 cup club soda or sparkling water
- Ice cubes
How to Make Sangria
Step 1: Mix Wine, Spirits, and Sugar
Grab your biggest pitcher and combine the red wine, brandy, orange liqueur, orange juice, and sugar. Give it a very thorough stir so the sugar dissolves completely, which ensures the Sangria’s sweetness is beautifully blended throughout every sip. Don’t be tempted to skip this part — grainy sugar is nobody’s friend here!
Step 2: Add in the Fresh Fruit
Drop in your sliced orange, lemon, lime, and those juicy strawberries. Gently press the fruit with a spoon to coax out their juices, but don’t let them lose their shape. Watching those vibrant slices tumble together already feels like a celebration in your pitcher!
Step 3: Chill to Develop Flavor
Refrigerate your Sangria for at least two hours or, even better, overnight. The wait lets all the flavors mingle, turning your wine into a truly flavorful punch. Chilling also ensures you’ll have a wonderfully cold drink ready to serve — perfect for warm days or festive evenings.
Step 4: Add Fizz Just Before Serving
Right before pouring, stir in a cup of club soda or sparkling water. This step gives your Sangria that gentle, effervescent sparkle and lightens up the drink. Gently stir so you keep as many bubbles as possible — this playful fizz is part of what makes Sangria so refreshing!
Step 5: Serve Over Ice
Grab some glasses, fill them with ice, and pour Sangria over, making sure each one gets plenty of fruit slices. The ice keeps every glass chilled to perfection — exactly how it should be enjoyed.
How to Serve Sangria
Sangria Garnishes
Add a festive flourish to each glass with extra slices of orange, lemon, or lime right on the rim, or a few skewered berries dropped in for a pop of color. Fresh mint sprigs make a beautiful aromatic garnish and add a subtle hint of coolness to each sip.
Side Dishes
Sangria loves a good crowd and pairs beautifully with tapas, grilled vegetables, salty cheeses, or smoky charcuterie. Try it with Spanish favorites like patatas bravas or marinated olives, or lean into summer picnic vibes with crusty bread and a cheese board. The versatility of this drink means it fits in everywhere.
Creative Ways to Present Sangria
Sangria looks especially inviting served in a big clear pitcher so the fruit can shine. For parties, consider individual mason jars, wide wine goblets, or even fun stemless glasses. If you’re feeling extra fancy, freeze small pieces of fruit into your ice cubes for even more color and personality in each glass!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Simply cover and refrigerate any leftover Sangria. The flavors can actually intensify overnight as the fruit continues to infuse the wine, so your next-day glass might be even more delicious (though after about 48 hours, the fruit can get mushy).
Freezing
If you have more Sangria than you can enjoy in a couple of days, freeze it (fruit and all) in ice cube trays. Later, drop a few cubes into sparkling water for an instant, fruity spritzer or blend them up to make an impromptu Sangria slushie!
Reheating
Sangria isn’t meant to be served warm, so skip reheating. If the batch loses its chill, just add more ice, or pop the pitcher back in the fridge for a bit until it’s refreshingly cold again.
FAQs
Can I use white wine instead of red?
Absolutely! For a lighter, fruitier twist, swap in a dry white wine and switch up the fruit to peaches, apples, or even raspberries. The result is a wonderful white wine Sangria that feels extra summery.
How far in advance can I make Sangria?
You can make Sangria up to 24 hours ahead, and many people find that the flavors truly shine and blend beautifully after a night in the fridge. Just hold off adding the club soda or sparkling water until you’re ready to serve for maximum fizz.
What’s the best wine to use for Sangria?
Look for a good-quality but affordable dry red, like Spanish Tempranillo, Garnacha, or even Merlot. Avoid really heavy, tannic wines — you want a flavorful, fruit-forward base that will let the other ingredients shine.
Does Sangria have a lot of alcohol?
Sangria is generally lighter than most cocktails because it’s diluted with fruit juice, soda, and ice. If you want to lower the alcohol content even further, simply use more soda or less brandy, or add extra fruit juice for a fruitier punch.
Can I make Sangria without alcohol?
Yes! For an alcohol-free Sangria, use grape juice or cranberry juice in place of wine, omit the brandy and liqueur, and add more citrus juice and sparkling water. The fruit flavors still pop and it’s a fantastic party drink for everyone.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re hosting a backyard bash or just craving a little sunshine in your evening, Sangria delivers the fun and flavor every time. Don’t be surprised if you fall in love with the easy ritual of mixing up a batch and sharing it with friends. Your pitcher of Sangria is bound to disappear quickly, so don’t forget to snap a picture before it’s all gone!
Print
Sangria Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free, Vegan
Description
This refreshing and fruity sangria recipe is a perfect drink for entertaining or relaxing. Made with a mix of red wine, brandy, and fresh fruits, it’s a delightful choice for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the Sangria:
- 1 bottle (750ml) dry red wine
- 1/4 cup brandy
- 1/4 cup orange liqueur (such as triple sec)
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 orange, thinly sliced
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced
- 1 lime, thinly sliced
- 1 cup sliced strawberries
- 1 cup club soda or sparkling water
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- In a large pitcher, combine the red wine, brandy, orange liqueur, orange juice, and sugar. Stir well until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the sliced orange, lemon, lime, and strawberries. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to let the flavors meld.
- Just before serving, add the club soda or sparkling water and stir gently.
- Fill glasses with ice and pour the sangria over.
Notes
- For a white wine sangria, substitute with a bottle of dry white wine and use fresh peaches or apples instead of berries.
- Adjust sweetness by adding more or less sugar or orange juice.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: No-cook, mixing
- Cuisine: Spanish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
