Watermelon Moscato Sangria – Easy Olive Garden Copycat

This Watermelon Moscato Sangria is a fruity, fizzy drink that comes together in minutes and feels like summer in a glass. It’s sweet, a little bubbly, and doesn’t ask much of you — just pour, stir, sip. Great for low-effort hangouts, patio days, or mood resets that don’t require pants.

Jump to Recipe

Quick Summary

• Prep time: 5 mins
• Cook time: none
• Flavor: juicy, sweet, lightly floral
• Great for: lazy summer nights, brunch, fake vacations

Why I Like This Recipe

Wasn’t planning anything fancy. Just hot, tired, and standing near the fridge like it owed me something. Tossed a few things into a pitcher — wine, syrup, fruit. It became the best part of my day.

Ingredients

• 750 ml chilled Moscato
• 6 oz ginger ale
• 6 oz Monin watermelon syrup
• 4 cups ice
• ¾ cup sliced strawberries
• 1 orange, thinly sliced
• optional: fresh watermelon wedges (for ✨vibes✨)

How To Make Watermelon Moscato Sangria

1. Slice the fruit: Strawberries and orange into rounds. Keep it casual. Doesn’t have to be pretty.
2. Mix your base: In a pitcher, pour Moscato, ginger ale, and watermelon syrup. Stir like you mean it.
3. Add ice + fruit: Toss in the fruit, then the ice. Stir once more. You’re basically done.
4. Serve it cold: Pour into glasses. Add a watermelon wedge if you’re tryna impress someone (even if it’s just you).

Tips for Success

• Chill the Moscato + ginger ale ahead — lukewarm sangria is… not it
• Let the fruit soak 20–30 mins if you’ve got time
• Too sweet? Add fresh lime or sub half the syrup
• Want extra bubbles? Swap the ginger ale for Prosecco
• Save old sangria by straining and adding fresh fruit next round

Storage and Reuse

• Fridge: Keep leftovers in a sealed container for up to 24 hours.
• Refresh: Toss old fruit and replace with new slices. She deserves a reset too.
• Before serving again: Stir well — stuff settles, especially syrup.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use a different wine?
  Sure, but keep it sweet or fruity. Riesling or pink Moscato are fine.
• Where do I get watermelon syrup?
  Most grocery stores in the coffee or cocktail mixer section. Or online.
• Can I make it ahead?
  Yep. Just leave out the ice and add right before serving.
• Can I make it less sweet?
  Definitely — cut the syrup in half or add a splash of lime juice.
• Does it actually taste like Olive Garden’s sangria?
  Pretty close. If anything, it’s better because you can tweak it to your vibe.

Common Mistakes and How to Dodge Them

• Not chilling ingredients: Warm sangria is not a personality trait. Chill the wine and ginger ale first.
• Adding ice too early: It waters everything down. Save it for right before serving.
• Using overripe fruit: Looks cute at first, but gets weird and mushy fast. Use fresh if possible.
• Overdoing the syrup: It’s sweet stuff. Start with 4 oz and add more if needed.
• Skipping the fruit soak: It actually makes a difference. Even 15–20 mins helps the flavors mingle.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

• Calories: 204 kcal
• Total Fat: 0g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 9mg
• Potassium: 113mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 31g
• Dietary Fiber: 1g
• Sugars: 27g
• Protein: 0g

You Might Also Like:

• Mango Martini – Easy Olive Garden Copycat
• Blue Amalfi – Easy Olive Garden Copycat
• Venetian Sunset – Easy Olive Garden Copycat
• Watermelon Margarita – Easy Olive Garden Copycat