Make classic red sangria with this simple recipe! It combines Spanish red wine, brandy and fresh fruit and only takes a few minutes to prep. It’s refreshing, customizable and the perfect make-ahead drink for entertaining.

Another cocktail recipe for you! This is one of my favorites to make for a crowd. It’s so simple – just pour all of your ingredients into a pitcher and let it sit!

What is Sangria?

Sangria comes from the Spanish word “sangre,” meaning blood, referring to the red color of the drink. It is a mixed alcoholic drink typically made with red wine and fruit. Although not included in traditional Sangria recipes, many versions call for some sort of liquor (triple sec, brandy, etc.) and carbonation like soda water.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• This simple cocktail is a staple recipe!
• Delicious year round – perfect for summer nights or winter holiday parties.
• Fully customizable depending on what you have on hand or your personal preferences.

Here’s What You Need

• fresh fruit – I used a combination of orange slices, green apple and lemon slices.
• orange juice – freshly squeezed or store-bought orange juice works! Just make sure to avoid anything with added sugar.
• brandy – you can also use cognac or an orange liquor like triple sec or cointreau.
• red wine – I recommend a dry Spanish red wine for a traditional sangria! Rioja, Tempranillo or Garnacha are all good options.
• liquid sweetener – maple syrup, agave, simple syrup, honey or cane sugar all works! You can also skip this step, but I just like a touch of sweetness to balance the flavors!
• sparkling water – optional but I like adding a splash before serving for a little carbonation. Club soda would also work!

What is the Best Wine to Use?

Sangria is traditionally made with dry Spanish red wine. Rioja, Tempranillo or Garnacha are all good options. I personally used Tempranillo in this recipe but really any dry, red wine would work! There is enough sweetness from the other ingredients that you don’t want the drink to be overly sweet with sweet wine!

Variations

• Different wine – any dry red wine will work great for this recipe. Want to try a white wine version? Try my white wine sangria recipe!
• Different liquor – in place of brandy you can use cognac or orange liquor or even omit if you don’t have anything on hand!
• Different fruit – the fruit I used are traditionally included but feel free to get creative! Fresh berries, cherries, mango or even pineapple would all be delicious additions!
• Spices – spice it up with some cinnamon sticks or fresh ginger.

pro tip!
I don’t recommend using your fanciest bottle of wine here since it’s mixed with so many ingredients. 

How to Make The Best Sangria

Start by prepping all of your fruit – dice the apple, orange and lemon into small pieces and leave the peel on! There is so much flavor in the peel so we want to make sure it’s included.

Add the fruit to a large pitcher along with the orange juice. Pour the wine and brandy into the pitcher. Stir to combine, taste and add any liquid sweetener as desired. I recommend starting with just 1 Tablespoon and adding slowly if needed – I only ended up using 1 Tablespoon of maple syrup.

Stir everything until well combined and refrigerate for at least 1 hour but preferably longer! I usually prep my sangria the night before so it can have plenty of time to allow the flavors to meld.

When you’re ready to enjoy, add ice to a glass and pour sangria over the ice. Top with sparkling water if desired. Enjoy!

FAQ

Can You Make Sangria in Advance?

Yes! This is the perfect party drink because you can make a big batch beforehand and then serve it at party time! I like setting out the pitcher with the sangria mixture along with glasses of ice, cans of sparkling water and a small dish of the garnishes. Each guest can customize their sangria and decide if they want to add carbonation and what garnish they would like!

How to Store Leftovers

Sangria will last 3-5 days in the refrigerator, just make sure it hasn’t sat out in the open and been exposed to air for too long. This can cause the wine to oxidize faster and go rancid. Also, the freshness of your sangria depends on how old your fruit was when you used it. If storing for a few days in the fridge, make sure to check your fruit to make sure it hasn’t molded before serving!

More Cocktails to Try

• Skinny Mojito
• Sparkling Vodka Cranberry
• Skinny Paloma
• Skinny Coconut Daiquiri
• Apple Cider Mimosas
• Skinny Piña Colada
• Skinny Margarita
• Strawberry Frosé

Be sure to check out the full collection of cocktail recipes here on EBF!