This Red Sangria is made with simple ingredients! Fresh fruit and red wine meld together to create an essential summer time cocktail.
When I think of sangria, my mind immediately transports me to a sunny patio – it’s the quintessential summer sipper! Made with a small list of simple ingredients, this is one drink that’s almost impossible to mess up.
The best part about sangria is getting to snack on the alcohol infused fruit at the bottom of the glass! The strawberries will soak up all that excess goodness, so even when the drink is finished – you still get a little treat at the end. I should tell you to enjoy responsibly, but I’m not the boss of you!
What is sangria?
An alcoholic beverage originating in Spain and Portugal – this fruity cocktail is one of the most popular drinks in Spanish cuisine! Made with wine (red or white depending on which type of sangria you’re making) the occasional added spirit, liqueur or juice and an abundance of fresh fruit!
Ok, so what makes it THE BEST?
I may be biased, but I think it’s the best because I made it! Just kidding, this red sangria is the best because it is SO easy to make and the end result is nothing but fabulous. It is super versatile, you can add a copious amount of fresh fruit (an excellent way to clean out the fridge) and it’s one if the only cocktails that gets better with time.
Ok… and because I made it! 😉
Ingredients
Keep scrolling down to the printable recipe card for FULL ingredient amounts and instructions or click the “Jump to Recipe” button at the top of the page!
- Strawberries – Fresh strawberries, sliced.
- Orange – Sliced into 1/4″ rounds.
- Lemon – Sliced into 1/4″ rounds.
- Juice – We are using a both cran-raspberry juice and orange juice!
- Alcohol – You’ll need Brandy and Grand Marnier!
- Wine – Red wine, chilled. Opt for a Garnacha or Pinot Noir.
- Ice
How to make red sangria
It’s almost too easy..
- Combine Ingredients: Add all the ingredients to a large pitcher and stir well to combine with a long wooden spoon or a ladle.
- Serve: You can add ice straight to the pitcher, or pour the sangria over glasses filled with ice.
Is it sweet?
Sangria can be as sweet as you want it to be! The juice and the fresh fruit really add to the sweetness so it all depends on what you choose to add to yours.
If you’re looking for a more toned down version, start with a dry red wine to keep that sugar content down and choose fruits that are more tart than sweet (like Granny Smith apples rather than white peaches). If it’s still too sweet for your liking you can also add more of an acidic juice like lemonade to create more of a balance!
Which wine is best?
I know wine can be challenging, there are SO many options! For sangria, you’ll want to opt for something with a mild flavor that will pair nicely with the fruit. I recommend looking for a low tannin wine such as a Garnacha or Pinot Noir.
Other options to try:
- Zinfandel
- Tempranillo
A list of wines to avoid:
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Malbec
- Shiraz
- Syrah
Additions
You can add a multitude of different fruit or berries! Whatever you choose, I highly recommend you include some citrus – not just for the added zest of flavor, but for a gorgeous hint of bright color!
For red sangria try adding:
- Cherries
- Peaches
- Blackberries
- Pineapple
- Raspberries
- Pears
- Blueberries
- Apples
- Blackberries
If you’re not a fan of red wine, no worries! You can try my White Sangria Recipe.
Serve it up!
You can add ice straight to the pitcher, or pour the sangria over glasses filled with ice to avoid watering down the entire pitcher – either way, this beautiful creation will disappear before your eyes!
Tip: Another great option is to freeze your fruit beforehand to act as ice cubes! No more watered down pitchers of sangria!
Can I make it ahead of time?
Sangria is a fantastic drink to make ahead of time! Especially because the fruit will have a longer time to infuse and soak up all of that extra flavor.
You can of course, make this a few hours in advance (without ice) and let it all marry together or you can make it beforehand and keep it refrigerated overnight to really let those ingredients get to know each other!
Storing leftovers
I highly doubt there will be any sangria leftover, BUT, in case of a miracle, you can cover the top of your pitcher with plastic wrap or transfer it to a sealable bottle. It will last for 3 days in the refrigerator!
Other Delicious Recipes To Try
- Mojito
- Pina Colada
- Tom Collins
- Margarita
- Gin and Tonic
- Irish Coffee
- Earl Grey Martini
- Pomegranate Cider Mimosas
- The Perfect Lemonade
- Hot Mulled Cider
- Old Cuban
Craving More? Follow Along:
The Best Red Sangria
Ingredients
- ½ pound fresh strawberries sliced
- 1 large orange sliced into 1/4" rounds
- 1 lemon sliced into 1/4" rounds
- ½ cup cran-raspberry juice
- ½ cup orange juice pulp-free
- ½ cup brandy
- ¼ cup Grand Marnier
- 750 ml red wine 1 bottle, chilled. Low tanin such as Garnacha or Pinot Noir.
- ice
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Add all the ingredients to a large pitcher and stir well to combine with a long wooden spoon or a ladle.
- Serve: You can add ice straight to the pitcher, or pour the sangria over glasses filled with ice.
Tips & Notes:
- Another great option is to freeze your fruit beforehand to act as ice cubes! No more watered down pitchers of sangria!
- Cover the top of your pitcher with plastic wrap or transfer it to a sealable bottle. It will last for 3 days in the refrigerator!
