Looking for the perfect easy red sangria recipe to keep you cool this summer and make all your adult parties a hit? It’s so easy to load up the fruits and red wine in this simple and easy summer sangria that marinates into a lovely adult drink.
No fail, red wine sangria can be customized with your favorite flavors making it awesomely homemade and the best sangria to share with friends.
Summertime means barbecues, picnics, pool parties, beach trips, and lots of fun times spent outdoors. But what if you want something special to serve at these events? Something light yet flavorful and full of fresh fruit flavors?
Well, you might just find exactly what you were looking for right here.
Sangria will most definitely hit that spot.
Why you will love making your own Sangria Wine
Easy to Vary with your Favs: There are tons of other sangria recipes out there, with white wines and Moscato’s poured into pitchers, but this sangria recipe is all about the reds and citrus flavors, making it more traditional. Combining lime, lemon, and oranges, you won’t believe how easy it is to make sangria! Fresh fruit, a combination of alcohol like triple sec and brand paired with Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic red sangria recipe that you will love.
Converts to a “kid-friendly” drink too: And while your kids will be uber jealous of your fruity drink, set aside some extra fruit and sprite or fruit juice to create their own non-alcoholic version of a “sangria”.
Simple Ingredients from your own home: The best easy Red Sangria with fresh fruit and red wine, takes simple ingredients that are super easy to adapt and vary into one of the most delicious adult beverages ever! No need to get Sangria from your fav Italian restaurant when it’s just so easy to raid the liquor cabinet and make your own! You will want a second glass and a third glass for sipping as a refreshing cocktail all summer long.
Ingredients
- alcohol: brandy, triple sec, dry red wine (try Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot)
- juice: frozen lemon juice concentrate, orange juice, lemon juice
- white sugar
- Real Fruit: lemon, lime, orange, maraschino cherries
How to Make Easy Red Wine Sangria
To get started on a super easy, super delicious sangria, you will first need to cut up all your fruits. Above I mentioned apples and of course, below I use oranges, but you can also add strawberries, grapes, pineapples, blackberries, blueberries, and lemons- the fresh fruits not only provide an awesome flavor but serve as part of the Sangria’s traditional enjoyment.
If you cannot be in Spain, at least you can pretend, right?
- Mix all ingredients above together in a large pitcher.
- Refrigerate, covered, overnight or at least 4-6 hours until chilled.
How to best Serve Sangria
Summer Picnic – Grab a basketful of goodies like cheese, crackers, olives, nuts, chips, etc., and head outside to eat al fresco.
Outdoor Barbecue – Set up a table near the grill where guests can help themselves to drinks and snacks
Pool Party – Fill large bowls with watermelon slices, strawberries, grapes, pineapple chunks, melons, kiwis, peaches, apples, pears, bananas, and so much more. Fill tall glasses with ice and let guests mix in favorite fruits and berries.
Beach Trip – Bring along a cooler packed with plenty of cold beverages including sodas, bottled waters, beer, and even cocktails such as margaritas.
Holiday Cocktail Party – Stock up on bottles of sparkling cider, champagne, Prosecco, and Champagne. Keep these chilling at room temperature until the cocktail hour arrives.
Romantic Date Night – Mix up a pitcher of sangria and take advantage of the warm weather by sitting out under the stars.
Birthday Bash – Have everyone bring a bottle of his or her favorite beverage and then let everyone share in the fun.
Family Reunion – Invite family members over for dinner and have them prepare their signature dishes alongside yours.
Girls’ Getaway – Pack a picnic lunchbox with finger foods and tapas that are perfect to share.
What kind of Fruit should go in my Sangria?
You could use any type of fresh fruit like strawberries, peaches, pineapple, or kiwi. The key here is just to get creative and mix things up. If you’re looking for something really special try using these:
1. lemons – they add an amazing tartness to the sangria.
2. limes – adds a nice tanginess.
3. oranges – sweet and juicy.
4. grapefruit – super refreshing.
5. pears – great flavor and texture.
6. apples – delicious apple taste.
7. grapes – very pretty on top.
8. melons – cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew.
9. berries – blackberries, raspberries, blueberries.
Origins of Sangria
Sangria was invented by a Spanish monk, Fray Luis de Leon, who lived during the time of King Philip II and Queen Mary I of England. He wrote about his invention in 1585 as part of an essay on wine entitled “The Art of Cooking”. The original recipe called for three parts brandy, one part sweet vermouth, four parts orange juice, six parts lemonade, and twelve parts dry sherry. It has since evolved into its current form: a mixture of fortified wine, citrus juices, and sometimes liqueurs.
Today, there are several variations of sangria around the world. Some versions include vodka, rum, tequila, gin, whiskey, bourbon, port, beer, cider, mead, and even coffee.
Expert Tips
- Use a red wine such as pinot noir or zin.
- Don’t worry about adding sugar; instead focus on balancing out acidity by choosing wines with higher levels of tannins.
- Try to find bottles that have been aged less than two years.
- You don’t necessarily want to drink white wine with sangria—it tends to overpower the other components. Instead, opt for a rosé or sparkling wine.
- I use whatever fruits look freshest at the market. You want them juicy, plump and ready to eat. If your fruit isn’t quite as ripe as mine, just add more time to macerate before adding to the rest of the ingredients. Completely customizable but we love sliced oranges, lemons and limes for bold, bright flavors and colors both.
- You may be tempted to skip the sugar altogether because you think it will mask the tartness of the fruit. But if you leave out the sugar, the acidity of the fruit won’t balance itself out properly.
Best wine for sangria
Depends on how much alcohol you prefer. A full-bodied wine works well here. For example, try a cabernet sauvignon or merlot. These types of wines tend to pair better with sangria since they’re usually lower in alcohol content. Please note that not all these wines are red wines for sangria, but pair with fruity summer-by-the-pool drinks.
- zinfandel
- chardonnay
- Cava
- Malbec
- Syrah
- Grenache blanc
- Tempranillo
- Pinot Grigio
- Pisco sours
- Moscato
- prosecco
- spumante
- Portuguese vintage
- Finlandia
- Germany
- Bordeaux
FAQs
Yes! In fact, it needs the chill time so feel free to make a day ahead of time and serve at your party. Just cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to use. You could even freeze the ingredients before adding them to the pitcher. Just remember to add ice when serving.
Serve chilled in tall glasses filled halfway with ice. Garnish each glass with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry. If desired, pour additional alcohol on top of the sangria as well.
Try using Cointreau or Grand Marnier. You could also try substituting 1/2 cup vodka for the brandy if you prefer something less boozy.
Many people ask what is the best wine for sangria. Honestly, with wine, it comes down to a personal preference. In traditional sangrias, people like bold flavors and bright fruits, but in the end, this recipe can be altered many ways for different results. Red wine works great here because it pairs nicely with the sweetness from the fruit juices. A good choice would be a full-bodied Pinot Noir or Red Zinfandel. As noted in the recipe, I also suggest a deep wine like Cabernet or Merlot, but you can get great results with a fruity red wine. I say pick your favorite wine because you know the results will be something you love. A full list of other suggestions are noted above.
Add fresh mint leaves just before serving.
You don’t HAVE to but letting the ingredients sit together overnight allows them to meld and blend perfectly.
Sure, although we recommend letting it chill completely first. Once cooled down, transfer to freezer-safe containers and freeze until ready to enjoy.
I like to make sure if you are going to serve it with ice that you use reusable cubes so you do not water down your lovely sangria!
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Red Sangria Recipe with Summer Fruit
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup brandy
- 1/2 cup triple sec
- 1/3 cup frozen lemon juice concentrate
- 1/3 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 10 oz. maraschino cherries (do not drain)
- 750 ml. dry red wine (try Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot)
- 1 lemon sliced
- 1 lime sliced
- 1 orange sliced
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together in a large pitcher.
- Refrigerate sangria, covered, overnight or at least 4-6 hours until chilled. Chilling provides the best taste so the flavors can melt together.
Notes
What kind of Fruit should go in my Sangria?
You could use any type of fresh fruit like strawberries, peaches, pineapple, or kiwi. The key here is just to get creative and mix things up.- lemons – they add an amazing tartness to the sangria.
- limes – adds a nice tanginess.
- oranges – sweet and juicy.
- grapefruit – super refreshing.
- pears – great flavor and texture.
- apples – delicious apple taste.
- grapes – very pretty on top.
- melons – cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew.
- berries – blackberries, raspberries, blueberries.
Expert Tips
- Use a red wine such as pinot noir or zin.
- Don’t worry about adding sugar; instead focus on balancing out acidity by choosing wines with higher levels of tannins.
- Try to find bottles that have been aged less than two years.
- You don’t necessarily want to drink white wine with sangria—it tends to overpower the other components. Instead, opt for a rosé or sparkling wine.
- I use whatever fruits look freshest at the market. You want them juicy, plump and ready to eat. If your fruit isn’t quite as ripe as mine, just add more time to macerate before adding to the rest of the ingredients. Completely customizable but we love sliced oranges, lemons and limes for bold, bright flavors and colors both.
- You may be tempted to skip the sugar altogether because you think it will mask the tartness of the fruit. But if you leave out the sugar, the acidity of the fruit won’t balance itself out properly.
Nutritional information is an automated estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator or app.
Nutrition
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