Red Sangria

Fruity, refreshing, and perfect for serving a crowd, sangria is one of our go-to cocktails to enjoy all year long. If you’re planning a dinner party, a late-night chat sesh with your friends, or just craving the most refreshing summer drink, our sangria recipe won’t let you down. While we love this classic combination of fruits, spices, and wine, we’ve also included all of our top tips on how to vary this wine cocktail to your specific tastes. Get that pitcher out—it’s sangria season all year long. 😉

Origins of sangria.
Sangria comes to us by way of Spain and Portugal, with a long and rich history that dates back to the Middle Ages. Originally, sangria was aged wine mixed with fruit and spices, such as cinnamon, then evolved through time into regional variations. Our recipe combines red wine with orange juice, brandy, apples, blueberries, strawberries, and a cinnamon stick to create the classic fruity, spiced flavor.

What is the best wine for sangria?
Since you’ll be mixing other ingredients into it, you don't necessarily want to use your best wine for sangria. A few of our favorites include Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon, but it's all dependent on personal preference. Just remember that you will be adding lots of fruity elements and a nice dose of sugar, so even the not-so-great bottles will get a bit of a glow-up once you’re done!

What are the best fruits for sangria?
You want to use sturdy, flavorful fruits that can sit in the pitcher for a long time without disintegrating. We went with apples, blueberries, oranges, and strawberries to make this perfect for sippin’ in the summer, but your options don’t stop there.

Tip: Play off the wine you are using and choose complementary fruits, or vary your sangria based on what’s in season! Citrus, pears, cranberries, and pomegranates all make great sangria additions in the winter months. Other favorite seasonal standbys include peaches, blackberries, lime, and cherries.

Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely—sangria is a perfect make-ahead drink to serve a crowd. Stir together all ingredients in your pitcher, and refrigerate until ready to serve. The longer it sits in the fridge, the more the flavors develop and the better the sangria gets.

Have you made this recipe? Let us know how you liked it in the comments below!