Summer Sangria
- By Amy Dong
- Updated May. 29, 2025
I make this Summer Sangria for backyard cookouts and sipping on the porch on gorgeous summer nights. It’s fresh, sparkly, and perfect for parties. Unlike traditional sangrias, this one doesn’t need to sit for hours to taste amazing.
In This Article
This post may contain affiliate links, at no additional cost to you.
Why This Recipe Stands Out
This Summer Sangria is my go-to when I want something fruity, fizzy, and totally refreshing. It’s quick to mix up and perfect for every warm-weather gathering. Here’s why I keep it in rotation:
- No Long Chill Time Needed: Unlike traditional sangrias that need hours to develop flavor, this one is ready in about an hour. Just like our Pomegranate Apple Sangria, it’s bold and fruit-forward without the wait.
- Light, Crisp, and Not Too Sweet: The combo of white wine, peach nectar, and berries makes it super refreshing, similar to our Easy Pear Sangria, but with a citrusy twist.
- Easily Customizable: Swap the berries, use rosé, or top it with sparkling water instead of soda. I treat it like our Best Sangria, a base that’s easy to make your own.
- Perfect for Every Season: Even though I make this sangria all summer, it’s every bit as festive as our Apple Cider Sangria when fall rolls around.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- White or Rosé Wine – A crisp white or light rosé wine forms the refreshing base – choose a dry, fruity bottle that pairs well with fresh fruit.
- Peach Nectar – This concentrated nectar enhances the sangria with extra peachy sweetness and depth without overpowering the wine.
- Grand Marnier or Cointreau – A splash of orange liqueur adds citrusy warmth and richness that balances the sweetness of the fruit and soda.
Substitutions And Variations
Here are some of our favorite substitutions and variations:
- Wine Choices: A crisp white like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio is light and refreshing, but rosé adds a beautiful blush hue and fruity depth. For a sweeter twist, try Moscato or a lightly sparkling Prosecco.
- Fruit Options: Peaches and berries are summery classics, but feel free to mix in nectarines, mango slices, pineapple chunks, or orange rounds based on what’s ripe and on hand.
- Liqueur Alternatives: Grand Marnier and Cointreau add orange essence and depth, but triple sec, peach schnapps, or even a splash of Chambord can mix things up.
Easy Recipe Instructions
- Use ripe, in-season fruit for best flavor. Thinly slice peaches and lime so they infuse quickly.
- Combine all ingredients except soda in advance so the flavors can meld – chilling for at least 1 hour helps.
- Add soda just before serving to maintain its fizz and freshness.
- Serve over ice and garnish with fresh mint for a refreshing finish.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
Take a look at our best prep-ahead strategies for this recipe:
- Mix It Ahead: Combine the wine, peach nectar, liqueur, and fruit in a pitcher up to 1 day in advance. Cover and chill in the fridge, this lets the flavors mingle and the fruit soak up the sangria goodness.
What To Serve With Summer Sangria
Appetizers
- We love serving Summer Sangria with something simple and elegant, like a Peach Caprese Salad. The juicy peaches and fresh basil echo the flavors in the sangria beautifully.
- It also goes great with a Perfect Cheese Platter, just add crackers, fruit, and charcuterie for an effortless pairing.
Seafood & Grilled Bites
- This sangria is amazing with summery proteins like 10-Minute Garlic Shrimp. It’s fast, flavorful, and perfect for warm nights.
- It also goes great with Lemon Pepper Shrimp or Asian Shrimp Stir Fry when you want to keep things light but satisfying.
Summer Salads & Sides
- We love pairing this sangria with a crisp, fresh salad like Lemon Spinach Orzo Salad or Crunchy Thai Salad. They’re both packed with summer produce and flavor.
- It also goes great with a chilled Asian Pasta Salad or Mexican Style Chicken Salad when you’re putting together a full patio-friendly spread.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to use peach nectar?
Peach nectar adds great body and fruity sweetness, but if you can’t find it, mango nectar or even white grape juice works as a substitute.
Why add lemon-lime soda at the end?
Adding the soda just before serving keeps the sangria bubbly and refreshing. If you add it too early, the carbonation can go flat before you’re ready to drink.
How long does the summer sangria recipe keep?
Once mixed (without soda), it can chill in the fridge for up to 24 hours. After adding soda and ice, it’s best enjoyed immediately for maximum fizz and freshness.
Did you make this?
Please give us a rating and comment below. We love hearing from you!
Summer Sangria
This Summer Sangria is the ultimate refreshing, sparkly, delicious drink of the season. Unlike most sangrias, this recipe doesn't require a lengthy chill time. Easily serve up a pitcher of summer berry sangria all summer long.
Ingredients
- 2 peaches, sliced thin
- 1 cup berries, blueberries, raspberries, or sliced strawberries
- 1 lime, thinly sliced
- 1 bottle crisp white wine, or rosé wine
- 1 cup peach nectar, from concentrate
- ⅓ cup Grand Marnier, or Cointreau
- lemon-lime soda
- fresh mint leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- In a pitcher, add all ingredients except for lemon-lime soda. Cover and chill about 1 hour.
- Pour into individual glasses, leaving room for soda and ice. Top off with about 1/4 cup lemon per glass.
- Add ice and garnish with mint leaves. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use a crisp, dry white wine or rosé to balance the sweetness of the fruit and peach nectar – this keeps the sangria light and refreshing.
- Chill the sangria for at least 1 hour before serving, but no need to wait overnight. This recipe is meant to be quick and easy with great flavor from the start.
- Add the lemon-lime soda just before serving to keep the bubbles lively and the drink extra refreshing.
- Thinly slice your fruit so it infuses quickly and looks beautiful in the pitcher and glasses – presentation matters!
- Garnish each glass with a fresh mint leaf for a pop of color and an added layer of cool, herbal aroma.
- This recipe is part of our Cocktail Recipes Collection.
- This sangria is amazing with summery proteins like 10-Minute Garlic Shrimp.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 201kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 19mg | Potassium: 191mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 288IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg
More to Cook And Eat
- Mango Cocktail – This super easy recipe mango cocktails was born out of a quest to quench that midsummer thirst. With its sparky-fruity vibe, this drink was designed for everything from relaxing on the porch to backyard cookouts.
- Hawaiian Mai Tai – This Hawaiian Mai Tai is the perfect truly cool and tropical drink you need to have this summer. This crowd-pleaser can be made ahead of time in your favorite pitcher until party time.
- Strawberry Frosé – One sip of this Strawberry Frosé and you’ll get why Frosé has become all the rage. This Frozen Rosé Slushy is cool, refreshing, breezy, and fruity. It’s a truly stunning summer drink.
- Best Champagne Punch – This Berry Champagne Punch is refreshing, delicious, and makes any gathering superbly festive. If you’ve got a crowd, be prepared for this to disappear fast!