If you’re looking for a refreshing drink perfect for a lazy day and a fun party, this sangria recipe is just what you need! With only six simple ingredients, it’s incredibly easy to make and so delicious.
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Tis the season for making big pitchers of delicious and refreshing sangria! It’s perfect for entertaining and easily customizable with your favorite fruits and wine.
I’ve always had a special love of drinks with chunks of fruit in them (like my family’s Mexican ponche). I love scooping out pieces of fruit and biting into them so it releases all the juices it’s soaked up. It’s like a drink and a snack in one!
And this sangria is no different. There’s plenty of fruit to serve with each glass. Plus, the longer you let it sit in the liquid, the more it absorbs all the great flavors.
What is sangria?
Sangria is an alcoholic wine drink that originated in Spain and is traditionally made with red wine, chopped fruits, and brandy or orange juice. Modern versions can be made with white wine, sparkling water, and sweeteners.
What Wine Is Best for Red Sangria?
A medium-bodied Spanish red wine like a Tempranillo or Garnacha makes for a delicious red sangria. You want a fruity red wine that’s lower in tannins and fairly inexpensive. Of course, you want to make sure the wine you use for sangria is something you’d drink by itself, but there’s no need to spend $30 on a bottle. Something in the $10 to $15 price range will work just fine.
Ingredients in Sangria
This sangria recipe is made from 6 simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen:
- Red wine: No need to splurge here! An inexpensive dry red Spanish wine, like Garnacha, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Merlot is all you need.
- Brandy: Brandy is a spirit made from fermented fruit juice, which makes it an excellent addition to sangria.
- Fresh chopped fruit: Chunks of fresh fruit are not only a colorful garnish, but also lend plenty of fruity flavors. Use fruits like apples and oranges.
- Orange juice: A splash of fresh orange juice will help this red sangria pop.
How to Make Sangria
- Place all ingredients in a pitcher: Add diced apples, oranges, lemon juice, red wine, brandy, and orange juice, and stir all the ingredients together.
- Refrigerate: Let the mixture chill in the fridge for 3 to 4 hours, up to overnight, before serving.
- Serve: Give it a good stir and pour sangria over a glass of ice. Top with sparkling water, if desired.
Helpful Tips
- The longer the sangria can rest in the fridge (up to overnight), the better the flavor. The least amount of time I recommend letting it rest is 3 to 4 hours.
- To add more fruits, use seasonal options like strawberries, limes, pears, or plums.
- To add spice, I’ve even seen a few recipes add a cinnamon stick.
- Don’t waste the fruit! Grab a spoon and scoop out the chunks of fruit from the bottom of your glass for a snack. The fruit soaks up all of the juices from the sangria, making them extra tasty. It’s my favorite thing about sangria!
Recommended Tools
- Pitcher. Here’s a great glass pitcher with a lid that fits perfectly in the fridge.
- Measuring cup set. This set of 3 glass measuring cups is perfect for all recipes.
Storage
To store, place leftover sangria in a pitcher with a lid in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
More Drinks
Ingredients
- 2 apples, diced into chunks
- 1 orange, rind removed and diced into chunks
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (about 1 lemon, juiced)
- 1 (750ml) standard bottle medium-bodied red wine* (see notes)
- ½ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup brandy
- For serving: sparkling water (optional)
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients, except the sparkling water, in a large pitcher and stir to combine.
- Refrigerate sangria for 3 to 4 hours, up to overnight, before serving.
- When ready to serve, give the sangria one last stir and pour over a glass of ice. Top with sparkling water for some bubbles if desired.
Isabel’s Tips:
Nutrition Information
I’m really enjoying your recipes
I don’t drink any alcoholic. It sound good and wonder if i can use grape or any juice instead of wine?
Hi Jolynn! Yes, you can!
Awesome site love the layout.
Do you have a newsletter we cen subscribe to
Hi Vincent! Yes on the website there is a place for you to drop your name and email to subscribe to our newsletter.
Super easy and yummy sangria! We enjoy making this version in my house. Thank you!
We used a reserva rioja and added cherry brandy instead (all we had) it was delicious ! Thank you for the recipe!
What kind of apples would you recommend??
Hi AJ! You can really use any apples, just depends on your preference! If you have a sweeter wine, you can balance it with tangier apples like Granny Smith, or if you want it to be sweeter you can use honey crisp.
thank you, I haven’t had sangria in a long time but love all of the flavors, so thank you for this reminder and recipe!
I tried your recipe and it is really easy to make. Thank you it was awesome.
Thanks, Ema! I’m so happy you liked it.
Easy to make, great taste. Thank You Isabel.