Sangria: the perfect boozy Spanish drink for your summer parties

Looking for an easy-to-make drink you can serve a crowd this summer? Sangria is perfect for you! Sangria is a wonderful cold wine-based drink from Spain, that's also popular in Portugal. It can be made from red, white, or rose wine. It can be still or sparkling. Thanks to its incredible versatility and bold, fruity flavor, a glass of chilled sangria is the perfect warm weather drink.

Made from fruity wine, a medley of chopped fruit, and a slug of brandy, sangria is perfect for serving with tapas, at barbecues, picnics, or any event where you're hosting a big crowd.

You can easily double or triple the recipe for a big bash. Sangria is super tasty and so easy to customize. Don't be surprised if it becomes your go-to drink to serve at parties!

Sangria Origins

Sangria is an alcoholic wine-based cocktail from Spain. In Spanish, sangria means “bloodletting,” a term that first cropped up sometime in the 18th century. The drink itself predates its name; the ancient Greeks and Romans were known to mix up concoctions with wine, sugar, and spices. It was popular in Spain until the Moors invaded, then reappeared at the end of the Reconquista.

Versions cropped up in France and Italy during the 17th century. In 1964, sangria was a featured drink at the New York City World's Fair, which introduced the beverage to the American palate, where it remains a staple come summertime.

What is the Best Wine for Sangria?

Don't use an expensive bottle of wine to make sangria. The flavors will get masked by the other ingredients. Instead, use an unoaked, inexpensive, fruit-forward wine like Shiraz, Grenache/Garnacha, Zinfandel/Primitivo, or an unoaked red blend. Pick something you enjoy drinking but won't break the bank.

Red Sangria Ingredients

There are endless variations for sangria, but no matter how you make it, there are a few essentials to add to your shopping list.

For this red wine sangria, use a bottle of fruity, unoaked red wine.

Brandy gives this delicious tipple an extra boozy kick, while various fresh fruits and berries add flavor.

This version uses fresh apples, oranges, and berries.

Don't forget to add some orange juice to your sangria – this will add a deliciously tangy, citrusy flavor to the finished drink.

Finally, you'll need some sugar to sweeten the sangria and some seltzer water to give it a little fizz.

How to Make Sangria

All you need to do to make sangria is put the ingredients except for the seltzer into a large pitcher. Stir them well, then cover the pitcher and pop it in the fridge for a few hours.

Once you're ready to serve the sangria, add in the seltzer, then start pouring!

Can You Make Sangria Ahead of Time?

Absolutely! You can make your sangria several hours in advance. It'll give the ingredients more time to merge, making your sangria tastier!

Tips for Making Red Wine Sangria

Use freshly squeezed orange juice for better flavor.

Use fruits that go well with the wine. Berries, red fruits, and sweet apples like Pink Lady, Fuji, and Gala are brilliant with red wine sangria. Stick to citrus, pineapple, mango, and green apples with white wine sangria. Rose sangria is wonderful with berries, watermelon, cherries, and other pink and red fruits.

Add fresh herbs or edible flowers to your sangria to add a brighter flavor. Mint, thyme, rosemary, and basil are excellent additions.

In the winter, try mixing in spices like nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and cinnamon.

Sangria Variations

There are a lot of different ways to make sangria, which means you can customize this recipe however you see fit.

Swap out the red wine for white wine for making white sangria.

Instead of brandy, use apple brandy or Calvados for a more appley flavor. If brandy isn't your thing, rum and plain or flavored vodka are great for sangria.

Add plums, cherries, or any fruits you think will work well with the flavors in the wine.

You can also swap out the orange juice for other fruit juices and use flavored liqueurs such as triple sec and Grand Marnier (orange) or St. Germain (elderflower), or other liqueurs to jazz up your sangria.

Want more fizz? Use an inexpensive sparkling wine instead of red wine.

How to Store Red Wine Sangria

Once assembled, store your sangria in a large pitcher. Cover the top with cling film. Store it in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Instructions

Place the apples into a large pitcher.

Add in the strawberries and orange.

Pour the blueberries.

Add the sugar.

Pour in the red wine.

Pour the orange juice.

Add in the brandy.

Stir well.

Cover and place in the fridge for about two hours.

Immediately before serving, top with seltzer. Fill a drinking glass, serve and enjoy!

Notes

You can serve your sangria over ice or enjoy it straight out of the pitcher.