Best Sangria (Ingredients and Wine)
This is everyone’s favorite Sangria for a reason. It boasts a gorgeous deep red hue with plenty of fresh fruits. This make-ahead recipe allows you to relax and enjoy your gathering.
About Sangria
Common in Spain and Portugal, Sangria is typically a beautiful dark red beverage that consists of red wine, sweeteners, additional spirits, and a mixture of freshly chopped fruits. It’s a favorite drink served in restaurants and gatherings throughout the year.
Sangria recipes vary quite a bit by the region, which is the reason there are a plethora of sangria ingredients that can be used. A red wine (typically Rioja) is the base of a traditional sangria, though white sangria recipes are now common as well.
It’s not hard to get why sangria is one of the most popular drinks in the Spanish cuisine; it’s extremely fun, versatile, and just 100% delicious.
Nobody will complain when you pour them a glass of the best Sangria they’ve ever tasted…
sangria ingredients
This Sangria comes after much taste testing and sharpening to perfection. We’ve added, subtracted, and experimented. The result is this tasty, fruity, and refreshing Sangria that people can’t get enough of.
The ratios of sweeteners, juice, and liquor should remain consistent in this recipe. The fresh fruit, you can freely experiment with, aiming for what’s in season.
- Citrus: sliced rounds of lemon, orange, and lime are not only pretty, but lend wonderfully bright flavors to your punch. Do remove the seeds prior to using.
- Spirits: orange-based liquors are common in sangria. A mixture of brandy (cognac) and Cointreau (triple sec) brings fabulous flavors. If you only have one kind of orange liquor, you can just use the one, if you prefer.
- Wine: a bottle of dry red wine is the basis of this cocktail – details on this below.
- Juices: a combination of pure orange and lemon juices enliven this festive punch and provide sweetness; stay away from artificial juices.
- Fruits: strawberries, apples, oranges are an ideal combination for color, texture, and flavor. You can also use other fruit such as pineapples or peaches. These should be added just before serving.
- Soda: for that bit of festive fizz, top off the sangria with lemon-lime soda. Sparkling water is also an option, though it’ll be less sweet and tends to be less bubbly.
Type of Wine
Here’s an occasion where you absolutely do not have to spend much for a red wine that works. Because sangria is infused with other spirits and juices, you can get away with an inexpensive red wine. Use an affordable red wine that you enjoy drinking on its own.
Rule of Thumb: if the red wine is fruity and tastes great by itself, then that’s the one to use. The key is fruity and low in tannins…nothing bitter nor astringent. (As a general rule, never cook or mix anything with a wine you don’t actually like.)
Examples of Wines to Use:
- Garnacha/Grenache reds are typically ripe and fruity
- Malbec is an Argentinian wine that tends to be deep red, fruity, and easy-drinking
- Merlot is an easy-to-find option that’s generally soft and fruity
- Tempranillo is a full bodied Rioja that works well in red Sangria
More to Enjoy:
- The Best Paloma Cocktail Recipe
- Easy Ginger Pear Sangria Recipe
- Best Summer Berry Sangria
- Pomegranate Apple Sangria
- Easy Apple Cider Sangria
try this easy Strawberry frosé, too:
The Best Sangria
Ingredients
- 1 lemon, sliced into rounds with seeds removed
- 1 orange, sliced into rounds with seeds removed
- 1 lime, sliced into rounds with seeds removed
- ½ cup Cognac, brandy
- ½ cup Cointreau, triple sec
- 1 bottle dry red wine
- ⅓ cup pulp-free orange juice
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- ⅓ cup frozen lemonade concentrate
- Chopped fruits: Strawberries, apples, oranges (add just before serving)
- 2 cups lemon-lime soda, add just before serving
Instructions
- Combine: In a large pitcher or punch bowl, combine all ingredients (except for lemon-lime soda and chopped fruits.) Stir well to incorporate and chill in fridge overnight.
- Fruit: About an hour or two before serving, add desired amount of chopped fruit.
- Soda: Right before serving, add the lemon-lime soda.
- Garnish: Reserve some chopped fruit in a dish as garnish, for guests to add into their drinks as they wish.
Notes
Nutrition
Did you make this?
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