Sangria Recipe

This Sangria recipe is a real treat for summer garden parties and so easy to make! No expensive bar tabs needed, just mix the red wine and juices together and let the flavors work their magic to create a fruity, refreshing, and perfectly balanced cocktail. Make it once and you’ll never go back to store-bought mixers again! It’s delicious with a plate of spicy tapas, a fresh fruit platter, a side of grilled seafood, a sunset view; in fact most things.

Jump to Recipe

Sangria Recipe Ingredients

Main Mix:

• 1.5 liters dry red wine (Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon work great)
• 10 oz grenadine
• 16 oz cranberry juice cocktail
• 12 oz sweet vermouth
• 10 oz simple syrup (adjust to taste)

Fruit Add-ins:

• 10–12 fresh strawberries, chopped
• 1 orange, thinly sliced into rounds or half-moons

How To Make Sangria

1. Pour and stir: Find a large pitcher or a punch bowl. Pour in the 1.5 liters of red wine, the grenadine, the cranberry juice, the sweet vermouth, and the simple syrup. Use a long-handled spoon to give it a solid stir until the syrup and juices are completely integrated with the wine.
2. Add the fruit: Prepare your fruit by slicing the orange into thin rounds and hulling and chopping the strawberries. Toss them into the pitcher. Stir again gently to ensure the fruit is submerged and can begin to release its natural sugars and juices.
3. The essential chill: Place the pitcher in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This is the “secret” to a great Sangria—the longer it sits, the better the fruit macerates and the smoother the flavors become. For the absolute best results, let it chill for 4 to 6 hours.
4. Serve: When you are ready to serve, fill individual glasses with plenty of ice. Pour the Sangria over the ice, making sure to scoop a few pieces of the wine-soaked fruit into each glass.

Recipe Tips

• Wine Choice: You don’t need an expensive bottle, but avoid the absolute cheapest “cooking” wines. A mid-range Merlot, Malbec, or Cabernet Sauvignon provides the body and fruitiness needed to stand up to the sweet mixers.
• Sweetness Control: Everyone’s palate is different. Start with 8 oz of simple syrup, taste the mix, and then add the remaining 2 oz only if you feel it needs more sweetness.
• Maceration Time: If you leave the fruit in the wine for more than 24 hours, the strawberries can become a bit mushy. If you are making this a full day ahead, consider adding the strawberries just 2 hours before serving.
• The Vermouth Factor: Sweet vermouth adds a complex, herbal depth that differentiates this recipe from simple “wine and juice” sangrias. Don’t skip it!

What To Serve With Sangria?

This Sangria Recipe is a fruity, refreshing drink that needs a savory or salty pairing! Spicy Chorizo and Garlic Shrimp are the quintessential choice for a traditional Spanish tapas feel. For a balanced afternoon, a Cheese and Charcuterie Board adds a lovely richness that pairs perfectly with the red wine! A side of Salted Marcona Almonds or a Fresh Melon and Prosciutto Skewer pairs wonderfully with the cranberry and orange notes.

How To Store Sangria

• Refrigerate: Keep the Sangria in the refrigerator at all times. It will stay fresh for up to 2 days.
• Strain the Fruit: If you plan on keeping it for more than 24 hours, it is best to strain out the fruit so it doesn’t become overly soft or bitter.
• Avoid Freezing: Do not freeze Sangria, as the alcohol and sugar content will prevent it from freezing solidly, and it can ruin the delicate balance of the wine’s profile.

Sangria Recipe Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 210 kcal (per 8 oz glass)
• Total Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Sodium: 15 mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Sugar: 24 g
• Protein: 0.5 g

Nutrition information is estimated per serving based on the volume of ingredients.

FAQs