Red Wine Sangria is made with wine, brandy, and fresh fruit, like orange, lemon, and green apple. It's a refreshing make-ahead beverage perfect for any occasion!
I think I should have titled this post Sweet Red Wine Sangria: The Most Interesting Drink in the World.
That's quite a bold statement but, for me, red wine sangria IS a most interesting and versatile drink.
Plus, it's my all time favorite drink recipe!
How to make sangria
The best sangria is made by adding any kind of wine, fruit, and brandy you prefer. For this recipe I used:
- a good quality red wine
- my favorite Spanish brandy (Torres 5 Imperial Grand Reserva)
- whatever fresh fruit is in my refrigerator (usually apples and citrus fruit)
- a touch of OJ
- sparkling water for a little fizz
- frozen fruit can be used too!
- use a flavor infused brandy for an extra boost of yum
Grand Marnier can also be used as a substitute for or combined with the brandy for a more orange-y flavor.
The sangria making possibilities are endless and it can be made a little differently each time.
Have fun with this recipe, personalize it, and let your imagination run wild.
An easy recipe for a Spanish red wine sangria
J and I traveled around Spain years ago and we completely fell in love with it's beauty.
One of my favorite memories of that trip is when we were in Barcelona and it was the first time we drank red wine sangria while in Spain.
On our visit, whenever we wanted a refreshing alcoholic beverage during the day, we would drink a beer.
There was always a great beer special to be found because it's what the locals drink.
One day, we decided to be like tourists and go for the big pitcher of sangria. Up until this point, we had only had sangria in the US, and some of it was really bad.
You know, like the stuff that's made of mostly processed fruit juice. Except for the teeny-tiny-little bit of cheap wine that is just enough to give out a slamming headache the next day.
However, this alcoholic wine/fruit elixir we were enjoying was on an entirely different level of known sangria-ness.
The flavors perfectly melded together and my taste buds couldn't distinguish the individual tastes of wine, fruit, and brandy.
Maybe it was the "special" Spanish wine or brandy they used or the fresh fruit or maybe it just tasted better because we were on vacation.
Regardless of the reason, once we arrived back home, I immediately went about perfecting my own red wine sangria recipe.
I'm going to say it...red wine sangria is a healthy drink. Okay, maybe I'm stretching the truth a little but it does have fruit in it and fruit is healthy, right?
A wonderful benefit to eating your fruit after it has been sitting for hours in wine and brandy is that it ends up tasting really, really good.
The booze-infused fruit like an extra bonus treat at the bottom of the glass.
Making sangria sweeter naturally
Note: I don't add any additional sugar to my red wine sangria because the orange juice makes it sweet enough for me.
If you wish to make the sangria sweeter, add a little honey or sugar syrup to taste.
How to make a homemade simple syrup:
Homemade sugar syrup is ridiculously easy to make with only two ingredients.
- Just take a small saucepan, bring a mixture of half water and half sugar to a boil and stir until sugar completely melts.
- Remove syrup from the heat and let cool.
However you make this sangria recipe, I hope you enjoy it and serve it at all your summer parties or anytime you need a special red wine drink.
Serve this wine recipe it with these tasty bites:
Have you ever had sweet red wine sangria before? Are you going to make your own after seeing this recipe? Let me know in the comments and don't forget to share with friends and family.
Fruity and Sweet Red Wine Sangria
Ingredients
- 1 1.75 liter bottle of a good quality red wine
- ½ cup brandy
- ½ cup orange juice
- 1 fresh orange , cut into thin slices
- 1 fresh lemon , cut into thin slices
- 2 fresh green apples , diced
- 1 liter sparkling water , can use flavored or plain
optional: ice
Instructions
- Combine the red wine, brandy, orange juice, and fruits in a large pitcher, cover, and chill in refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- When ready to serve, add the sparkling water and stir well. Spoon some of the fruit into each glass, add ice (if desired), and pour the sangria over the top. Make a toast to everyone's good health and enjoy!
Recipe Notes & Tips:
- Any variety of fresh or frozen fruit can be used. Some of my favorites are grapes, limes, lemons, melon, mango, pineapple, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and kiwi.
- Store leftover Sangria covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Sara Lewis
I love it.
Karrie
Thank you Sara!
D
I took this recipe and made sangria. Everyone took a sip and nothing was left by the end of the night. Thanks really good recipe. I used Portuguese wine instead of Spanish wine it came out wonderful tasteful and magnificent.
Karrie
Thank you so much D!!! I'm so happy everyone liked the sangria and really appreciate you taking the time to comment/review the recipe. The use of Portuguese wine sounds wonderful too!
Johanna Vowell
I have attempted making sangria at home several times but without much success. Your recipe sounds wonderful. Can't wait to try it.
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Thank you Johanna and please let me know how you like it when you make it!
Sharon @ Savormania
I could never have enough of Sangria! We got married in Spain last summer so Sangria will always remind me of the perfect week we spent in Marbella celebrating. I'm going to surprise my husband with your recipe this weekend!
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How lucky you are Sharon to have married in Spain!! It is such a beautiful place! You are too sweet surprising your husband this weekend by making the sangria and please let me know how you both like the recipe xoxo
Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness
My hubby and I are big fans of red wine sangria. I will have to try your recipe, it sounds yummy.
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Fantastic Dawn and thanks. Let me know how you like it
Tammy Renea
Your sangria looks wonderful!!! When you're talking Spain, you're speaking my love language. My husband's family is from there and we constantly talk about selling everything and moving there. You're recipe is just wonderful. I agree with you sangria is the most interesting drink around. The first time I had it my mother-in-law made it for me. You know a drink is good when happiness comes at around the third sip. haha Salud, my friend!
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Thanks Tammy and it means a lot to me because I'm know you know sangria! I bet your Mom-in-law's sangria is the best too (lucky you!). BTW, I think we should all pack up and move to beautiful Spain ASAP.
Mom
Karrie's Sangria is to absolutely die for! She has made it many times when I visit! I shall be making it for myself this Mother's Day because Karrie is just too far away this year to make it for me! Bummer!!!! I just hope that mine turns out as good! Will let you know....
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Thanks Mom! Happy Mother's Day tomorrow & wish I could be there to celebrate it with you. XOXO
Beeta @ Mon Petit Four
Oh my, can I please have a huge glass of this sangria?? Yum-O! This looks fantastic, Karrie...I love sangria!
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Thank you Beeta and yes, you can have a huge glass (or big pitcher). Sangria is the best!
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices
Beautiful pictures Karrie! And I would really like a glass of your delicious sangria right now
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Thank you so much Nicoletta!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
Pour me a large glass (or two)...I'll be right over! I love sangria and yours looks stellar! *gulp gulp*
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I think the ice would melt before you got here Thanks for the kind words, Chey. I can't tell you how hard it was to take a decent photo of this drink and out of something like 300 photos, I only got 3 good ones! Haha! Seriously, I'm insanely jealous that you take such great drink pics.