If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing drink that’s bursting with flavor, incredibly easy to make, and perfect for any gathering, you’ve found it. This classic sangria recipe combines bold red wine, fresh fruits, a splash of brandy, and a hint of sweetness into one gorgeous pitcher that will have your guests asking for the recipe all night long.
Whether you’re hosting a summer backyard barbecue, a holiday dinner party, or just a casual weekend get-together, sangria is the ultimate make-ahead cocktail that gets better the longer it sits. Let’s dive in!
What Is Sangria?
Sangria is a traditional Spanish and Portuguese punch made with red wine (or white wine for a lighter version), chopped fruit, a sweetener, and a spirit — typically brandy or orange liqueur. The word “sangria” comes from the Spanish word sangre, meaning “blood,” which refers to the deep red color of the classic version.
Originating from the Iberian Peninsula, sangria has been enjoyed for centuries as a refreshing way to make wine stretch further while adding layers of fruity, sweet, and slightly boozy flavors. Today, it’s loved worldwide and has dozens of regional variations.
Why You’ll Love This Sangria Recipe
- Easy to make: No bartending skills required — just chop, pour, stir, and chill.
- Make-ahead friendly: Prepare it the night before and it only gets better.
- Feeds a crowd: One pitcher serves 6–8 people easily.
- Customizable: Swap fruits, wines, or spirits to suit your taste.
- Beautiful presentation: The colorful fruits floating in deep red wine look stunning at any table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe makes one large pitcher (approximately 6–8 servings).
The Base
- 1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine — Rioja, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Garnacha work beautifully
- 1/4 cup brandy
- 1/4 cup orange liqueur (Triple Sec, Cointreau, or Grand Marnier)
- 2 tablespoons white sugar or simple syrup (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
The Fruit
- 1 large orange, sliced into rounds or half-moons
- 1 lemon, sliced into rounds
- 1 lime, sliced into rounds
- 1 cup strawberries, hulled and halved
- 1 cup red grapes, halved
- 1 apple (green or red), cored and diced
To Serve
- 1–2 cups club soda or sparkling water (added just before serving)
- Ice cubes
- Fresh mint sprigs (optional garnish)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep Your Fruit
Wash all your fruit thoroughly. Slice the orange, lemon, and lime into rounds or half-moons. Hull and halve the strawberries, halve the grapes, and dice the apple into bite-sized chunks. The more colorful and varied your fruit, the more visually stunning your sangria will be.
Step 2: Dissolve the Sugar
In the bottom of a large pitcher, combine the sugar (or simple syrup) with the orange juice. Stir well until the sugar is fully dissolved. This small step ensures there are no sugar granules floating in your finished drink.
Step 3: Add the Spirits
Pour in the brandy and orange liqueur into the pitcher with the orange juice mixture. Give it a quick stir to combine everything.
Step 4: Add the Wine and Fruit
Pour the entire bottle of red wine into the pitcher. Add all the prepared fruit — oranges, lemons, limes, strawberries, grapes, and apple. Stir gently with a long spoon to combine everything without bruising the fruit.
Step 5: Refrigerate (The Key Step!)
Cover the pitcher with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight. This resting time is crucial — it allows the fruit to soak up the wine and the flavors to meld together into something magical. The longer it sits, the better it tastes. Sangria refrigerated for 24 hours is truly exceptional.
Step 6: Serve
When ready to serve, give the sangria a gentle stir. Pour over glasses filled with ice. Top each glass with a splash of club soda for a light fizz (optional but highly recommended). Garnish with a slice of fruit and a sprig of fresh mint if desired. Enjoy immediately!
Tips for the Best Sangria
Choose the Right Wine
You don’t need to spend a fortune on wine for sangria — since you’re mixing it with other flavors, an inexpensive bottle works perfectly. However, avoid wines labeled “cooking wine” as they often contain added salt. Look for a medium-bodied, fruit-forward red wine. Spanish Rioja or Garnacha are traditional and ideal choices. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are widely available and work great too.
Don’t Skip the Brandy
Brandy is what gives sangria that distinctive depth and warmth. If you don’t have brandy, you can substitute with rum or even omit it, but the flavor won’t be quite as rich and complex.
Balance Sweetness to Taste
The sweetness of your sangria depends on the wine you choose and your personal preference. Taste the mixture before refrigerating and adjust the sugar or simple syrup accordingly. A dryer wine will need a little more sweetness, while a fruit-forward wine may need less.
Add Club Soda at the Last Minute
If you want a bubbly sangria, always add the club soda right before serving — never during the marinating period. Adding it too early will cause it to go flat by the time you serve it.
Use Fresh, Seasonal Fruit
While the recipe above is a classic combination, feel free to use whatever fruit is fresh and in season. Peaches, plums, raspberries, blackberries, mangoes, and blueberries all make wonderful additions.
Sangria Variations to Try
White Sangria
Swap the red wine for a dry white wine like Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or Chardonnay. Use peaches, white grapes, green apples, and a splash of peach schnapps instead of brandy. White sangria is light, refreshing, and absolutely gorgeous for summer parties.
Rosé Sangria
Use a dry rosé wine as your base and pair it with strawberries, raspberries, and watermelon for a beautiful pink sangria that’s as pretty as it is delicious.
Sparkling Sangria
Replace part of the club soda with Cava (Spanish sparkling wine) or Prosecco for an extra festive, celebratory version. This is perfect for New Year’s Eve or bridal showers.
Tropical Sangria
Use a lighter red wine and add tropical fruits like pineapple, mango, and passion fruit. Swap brandy for coconut rum for a Caribbean-inspired twist.
Sangria Mocktail (Non-Alcoholic)
Replace the wine with grape juice or pomegranate juice, skip the brandy and liqueur, and increase the orange juice. The result is a beautiful, fruity punch that’s completely alcohol-free and family-friendly.
What to Serve with Sangria
Sangria pairs beautifully with a wide range of foods. Here are some ideas for your next party spread:
- Tapas and appetizers: Spanish-style dishes like patatas bravas, cheese boards, olives, and cured meats are natural companions.
- Grilled meats: Sangria is wonderful alongside grilled chicken, pork skewers, or burgers at a summer cookout.
- Seafood: Grilled shrimp, fish tacos, or paella pair gorgeously with a glass of fruity sangria.
- Pasta and pizza: The fruity acidity of sangria cuts through rich tomato-based dishes perfectly.
- Desserts: Fresh fruit tarts, chocolate fondue, and churros are fantastic sweet endings to a sangria-fueled meal.
How to Make a Sangria Bar for Parties
Want to take your party to the next level? Set up a DIY sangria bar! Here’s how:
- Prepare 2–3 different types of sangria (red, white, and rosé) in large pitchers ahead of time.
- Set out bowls of extra chopped fruit, fresh herbs like mint and basil, and sliced citrus for garnishing.
- Provide a bucket of ice and a few bottles of club soda so guests can customize their pour.
- Label each pitcher with a fun name tag.
- Include wine glass charms or colored straws so guests can keep track of their drinks.
A sangria bar is interactive, visually stunning, and requires very little work on your part during the party since everything is prepared in advance. Your guests will love it!
How to Store Leftover Sangria
If you somehow end up with leftover sangria (it doesn’t happen often!), here’s how to store it properly:
- Remove any ice from the pitcher to avoid diluting the sangria further.
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to a sealed container.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Note that the fruit will continue to soak up the wine and become more saturated over time. You can eat the boozy fruit over ice cream or use it in baking!
- Do not freeze sangria as the texture of the fruit will suffer significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make sangria the day before?
Absolutely! In fact, sangria made the night before is often better than same-day sangria. The fruit has more time to infuse the wine with its natural sweetness and flavors. Just hold off on adding the club soda until you’re ready to serve.
What’s the best wine for sangria?
For red sangria, a medium-bodied, fruity wine works best. Spanish Rioja, Garnacha (Grenache), Tempranillo, Merlot, or Cabernet Sauvignon are all excellent choices. Avoid overly tannic or very expensive wines — something in the $10–$15 range is perfect.
Can I make a large batch of sangria for a party?
Yes! Simply multiply the recipe by however many pitchers you need. For 20 people, make 3 pitchers. You can mix everything in a large punch bowl or beverage dispenser for easy self-serve access at a party.
How strong is sangria?
Sangria typically has an alcohol content of around 8–12% ABV, similar to wine, depending on how much brandy and liqueur you add and whether you dilute it with club soda. It’s a relatively moderate cocktail, but it’s easy to drink quickly because it tastes so refreshing and fruity — so drink responsibly!
Can I use frozen fruit in sangria?
Yes! Frozen fruit can work in a pinch, and it actually acts like ice cubes, keeping your sangria cold while it thaws. The texture of the fruit won’t be as firm as fresh fruit, but the flavor will still be excellent.
Quick Recipe Summary
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Chill Time: 2–24 hours | Servings: 6–8
Ingredients at a Glance
- 1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine
- 1/4 cup brandy
- 1/4 cup orange liqueur
- 1 cup orange juice
- 2 tbsp sugar or simple syrup
- 1 orange, 1 lemon, 1 lime (sliced)
- 1 cup strawberries (halved)
- 1 cup red grapes (halved)
- 1 apple (diced)
- 1–2 cups club soda (at serving time)
- Ice to serve
Instructions at a Glance
- Combine sugar and orange juice in pitcher. Stir until dissolved.
- Add brandy and orange liqueur. Stir.
- Add wine and all fruit. Stir gently.
- Refrigerate at least 2 hours (overnight is best).
- Serve over ice with a splash of club soda. Garnish and enjoy!
There you have it — the only sangria recipe you’ll ever need. It’s fruity, flexible, festive, and effortlessly impressive. Whether you’re serving a group of ten or just pouring a relaxed glass for two on the patio, this sangria delivers every single time. Cheers! 🍷