It’s summertime and if you want to pop open the same old rosé then that’s between you and your God.

Now before you roll your eyes and think making sangria is an all-day affair with trips to your local wine shop, the grocery store, and looking through countless scores of Martha Stewart sangria recipes – it’s not.

So no excuses Sally, it’s as simple as opening a bottle or two, chopping some fruits, and stirring.  Certainly you can do that, right?

My two favorite sangria’s are the classic red and a lively rosé sangria recipe that’s perfect for lounging by the pool or wrangling obnoxious teenagers into submission during summer.  When does school start again?

There’s nothing more than I love than a boozy summer, but stay hydrated ladies.  Always fit in a couple glasses of water on the daily.  I usually try to keep my ratio one glass of alcohol to one glass of water. Wrinkles only look good if you’re Pierce Brosnan.

Sangria: The 1000 Year Old Party Punch That Keeps on Giving

While the origin of the word, “sangria,” isn’t as pleasant as you might think.  People from Spain called any red wine, “sangria” from the Latin word for blood.

The traditional wine punch that we know as sangria today, was once the drink of choice for many Jane Austen heroines known as a Claret Cup.

The base of early sangria was made from Claret, Claret is the British word for red Bordeaux wine from France. Yes, the Brits need their own words for everything and we love them for it. 

I especially love when my mister says phrases like, “I’d like some chips.”  Sweet cheeks we’re at Chick-Fil-A.  You are going to get a literal bag o’chips not French fries, sigh. He tries.  But I digress…

…Anyways brandy, spices, and fruit would be added to the wine for additional flavor and to turn it into the wine punch we all know and love today.

Given that water was pretty much deadly to drink and people at parties didn’t drink milk, sangria became the acceptable alternative.

Sangria was way classier than cracking open a Pabst Blue Ribbon beer while ignoring Mr. Darcy across the dance floor.

How to Choose Red Wine for Your Summer Sangria Recipes

Nearly all summer sangria recipes start with younger inexpensive wine.  You want a red wine that’s fruitier and lower in tannins for your red sangria.

If you’re making red sangria then I’d recommend using wines from Rioja, Spain which are made with the Tempranillo grape. Why not be authentic?

Rioja wines are made in 4 traditional styles: Rioja, Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva. The first style Rioja ($9-$13) is the teenage version of the wine. It’s fresh and immature. It’s aged around 1-2 years with little to no oak.

Moving up the ladder are Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva that are progressively aged longer and in oak. Save those Rioja wines for a dinner party.

Wines like Primitivo and Grenache are going to be on the spicier side and perfectly suited for traditional sangria.

You can also use Pinot Noir, Bordeaux, Gamay, Syrah, or Zinfandel which all play nicely in red sangria.

Don’t use a cheap red wine, but keep it budget friendly, between $9-$15.  After all it’s the main star of your drink and nobody likes drinking bad wine.  Cheap wine = hangover, remember that.

My Favorite White Wines for Sangria

If you’re making white or rosé sangria then there’s a whole plethora (I love that word) of wines waiting for you:  rosé, white, or sparkling wine.  Just avoid oaked or barrel aged white wines to keep your sangria recipe tasting refreshing and light. Dear sweet baby Jesus don’t you dare use Chardonnay.  Just don’t.

Some of my favorites for making white sangria are Albarino, Torrontes, Verdejo, Pinot Gris, Pinot Grigio(only in sangria), Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Chenin Blanc, Viognier, and Marsanne… If you want to make a sparkling sangria choose semi-dry Prosecco (Italy), Cava (Spain), or sparkling wine white from California.

Don’t use Moscato D’Asti unless it’s dry or semi-dry since a sweet Moscato is going to give you sugar overload.

The Best Rosé Wines for Sangria

If you want to make rosé sangria then stay away from the dry mineral style of rosé  from France, because while I love a good rosé  from Provence it’s usually not going to work for your sangria.

Instead choose fruitier rosés from California, Spain (rosé wine in Spanish is called Rosado), Portugal, or Greece.  Rosé wines that are made from Mouvedre, Cinsault, Syrah, Grenache, Temperanillo, Rioja, Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir are perfect for sangria.

That being said Aldi’s makes a spectacular rosé wine from Côtes de Provence. I know, I know…but there are exceptions to everything and it’s made from Cinsault, Mouvedre, and Syrah which keep it nice and juicy.  Bonus it’s under $10.

Mama Likes Her Booze Fancy, You Know You Do Too

The thing I love about sangria is it gives you a kick while not burning your throat on the way down.  There’s always a boozy hard liquor element to all sangria recipes.  Some add flavor while others are there to add the loving slaps you want.

Straight up alcohol includes – white rum, white vodka, or dry gin.  I like Tito’s handmade Vodka and Hendricks Gin.

To add to the flavor profile hard liquors like brandy, cognac, spiced rum, orange liqueur (Grand Marnier – uses cognac as its base) or triple sec (Cointreau – uses a neutral spirit as its base), crème de cassis (Chambord), or melon liqueur are usually added.

You can always up the flavor by adding herbal or spicy components.  Herbal – fresh thyme, savory, rosemary, basil, mint, or cucumber.  Spicy – Cinnamon sticks, dried ginger, and allspice berries (just be sure to tie these up in cheesecloth so you can fish them out later.)

Keep the Sugar for the Juice Box Not Your Sangria

I’m just going to come out and say it, I find a lot of sangria’s way too sweet.  We aren’t making Kool-Aid, Susan – let’s not make it taste like liquid Jello okay?

Keep the sugar to a minimum by using ripe fruits or fruit flavored liqueurs and if you want your sangria a little sweeter add some plain simple syrup to sweeten it to your taste.

I love using fresh fruit when making and adding frozen fruit just before serving.  The frozen fruit keeps your sangria cold without watering it down.

I like to make sangria a day ahead so the flavors have time to mingle and marinate.  You’ll end up with a fuller and richer sangria if the fruits have a chance to get to know the alcohols.

If you’re short on time then make it first thing in the morning or at least a couple of hours ahead of your event.

But don’t worry, sangria is meant to be fun! If you decide to drink it the minute you’ve made it you can do that too. I’m not going to pull a Martha. I’m much more relaxed (sometimes). Add your sodas in just before serving.

Always serve your sangria from a pitcher with a pointed spout, so all your lovely fruity goodness doesn’t plop and splash in your glass and ruin your new pool caftan.

All sangria recipes use one standard 750 ml bottle of wine and serve 6-8 people.  Although in my experience it’s more like four people or two 35+ year old ladies.

7 Easy Summer Sangria Recipes

Recipe #1 – Sangria Rojo Recipe

This is my spin on the classic Spanish sangria.

Ingredients

• 1 750 ml bottle of dry red wine
• ½ cup of fresh orange juice
• 1 cup of good ginger ale (I like Q Spectacular Ginger Ale)
• ½ cup of lemon seltzer water
• ½ cup Brandy
• ½ cup orange liqueur
• 1 unpeeled lemon thinly sliced
• 1 unpeeled Navel orange thinly sliced
• 1 unpeeled red apple (Gala or Fuji – don’t use Red Delicious as it can get mealy and soggy) thinly sliced
• 2-3 tablespoons simple syrup (optional)
•  

Method

1. Wash fruit thoroughly, dry, slice thinly, and remove seeds.
2. Add half the fruit and lightly muddle with a wooden spoon for 30 seconds.
3. Add liqueurs and juice and muddle again for 30 seconds.
4. Add the wine, remaining ingredients, and stir well.
5. Chill and marinate overnight.
6. Taste if it needs a little more sweetener add a tablespoon of simple syrup until it’s sweetened to taste.
7. Stir in sodas and serve over ice when ready.

Recipe #2 – Relaxed Rosé Sangria Recipe

This is so pink, pretty, and refreshing, it’s one of my favorites.

Ingredients

• 1 750 ml bottle of dry rosé wine
• 1 cup of good lemon-lime soda
• ½ cup of lime seltzer water
• ¼ cup lemon juice
• ½ cup brandy
• ½ cup triple sec
• 1 unpeeled lime
• 1 cup of cubed seedless watermelon or if you’re feeling fancy make melon balls
• 1 unpeeled lemon
• 1 pint washed strawberries, cut ½ of the strawberries, leave the rest whole
• 1 pint washed raspberries
• 1 cup whole frozen raspberries
• 2-3 tablespoons simple syrup (optional)
•  

Method

1. Wash fruit thoroughly, dry, slice thinly, and remove seeds.
2. Add half the cut fruit and lightly muddle with a wooden spoon for 30 seconds.
3. Add liqueurs and juice and muddle again for 30 seconds.
4. Add the wine, remaining ingredients, and stir in sodas.
5. Chill and marinate overnight.
6. Taste if it needs a little more sweetener add a tablespoon of simple syrup until it’s sweetened to taste.
7. Stir, add in frozen raspberries, and serve over ice when ready.

Recipe #3 – Sassy Sparkling Sangria Recipe

This sangria is perfect for brunches, baby showers, any fancy party, or the one time a year you want to impress your mother-in-law.

Ingredients

• 1 750 ml bottle of dry sparkling (white or rosé) wine
• 1 cup of good lemon-lime soda
• ½ cup of lemon seltzer water
• ½ cup brandy
• ½ cup triple sec
• 1 unpeeled lemon
• 2 white peaches or white nectarines quartered
• 2 unpeeled tangerines quartered
• 2-3 tablespoons simple syrup (optional)
•  

Method

1. Wash fruit thoroughly, dry, slice thinly, and remove seeds.
2. Add half the cut fruit and lightly muddle with a wooden spoon for 30 seconds.
3. Add liqueurs and juice and muddle again for 30 seconds.
4. Add the wine, remaining ingredients, and Stir in sodas well.
5. Chill and let marinate overnight.
6. Taste if it needs a little more sweetener add a tablespoon of simple syrup until it’s sweetened to taste.
7. Stir in sodas and serve over ice when ready.
8.  

Recipe #4 – Elegant White Sangria Recipe

Make this for your favorite people and serve anytime.

Ingredients

• 1 750 ml bottle of dry white wine or sparkling white wine
• 1 cup of good lemon-lime soda
• ½ cup gin
• 1/3 cup triple sec
• ¼ cup lime juice
• ½ cup pomegranate arils
• ½ unpeeled lemon thinly sliced (remove seeds before slicing)
• ½ cup peeled English cucumber thinly sliced
• 1 sprig fresh rosemary
• 1 sprig fresh thyme
• 1 tsp. rose water
• 2-3 tablespoons simple syrup (optional)
•  

Method

1. Wash lemon and cucumber thoroughly, dry, slice thinly, and remove seeds.
2. Add fruit, rose water, rosemary, and thyme.
3. Add liqueurs and juice and stir well for 30 seconds.
4. Add wine and stir well.
5. Chill and marinate overnight.
6. Taste if it needs a little more sweetener add a tablespoon of simple syrup until it’s sweetened to taste.
7. Stir in sodas and serve over ice when ready.

Serve It Up In Wine & Drama Style

Let’s not break our favorite wine glasses shall we?  I can’t tell you how many I’ve accidentally shattered.  Serve your delicious sangria in unbreakable style and it makes so much easier to balance your glass on your lap when eating…

Set of 12 Shatterproof & BPA Free Stemless Wine Glasses
Add to Cart on Amazon

 

Recipe #5 – Juicy Blanco Sangria Recipe

This is the perfect sweet and juiciest sangria you’ll ever drink. The grapefruit adds a pleasant bitter note.

Ingredients

• 1 750 ml bottle of dry white wine (Riesling, Moscato d’Asti, Viognier or Chenin Blanc work nicely for this recipe)
• ½ cup of fresh pink grapefruit juice
• 1 cup lemonade or Limoncello
• ½ unpeeled lemon
• ½ unpeeled pink grapefruit – quartered
• 1 unpeeled nectarine
• ½ unpeeled Granny Smith apple – quartered
• 1 handful torn mint leaves
• 2-3 tablespoons simple syrup (optional)
•  

Method

1. Wash fruit thoroughly, dry, slice thinly, and remove seeds.
2. Add half the fruit and lightly muddle with a wooden spoon for 30 seconds.
3. Add juice, lemonade, and muddle again for 30 seconds.
4. Add the wine, remaining ingredients, and stir.
5. Chill and marinate overnight.
6. Taste if it needs a little more sweetener add a tablespoon of simple syrup until it’s sweetened to taste.
7. Stir in sodas and serve over ice when ready.

Recipe #6 – Fuchsia Summer Sangria Recipe

This decadent magenta colored sangria gives you a lasting buzz and is richly satisfying.

Ingredients

• 1 750 ml bottle of dry red wine
• ½ cup of pomegranate juice
• ½ cup of pineapple juice
• 1 cup of ginger ale
• ½ cup of lemon seltzer water
• ½ cup blackberry brandy
• 1 unpeeled lemon
• 1 inch piece of fresh ginger (skin removed and bruised with back of knife)
• 1 pint washed blackberries
• ½ pint washed blueberries
• ½ pint strawberries
• 1 cup chopped fresh pineapple
• ½ unpeeled red apple Fuji or Gala
• 1 handful torn basil leaves

Method

1. Wash fruit thoroughly, dry, slice thinly, and remove seeds.
2. Add half the fruit and lightly muddle with a wooden spoon for 30 seconds.
3. Add liqueurs and juice and muddle again for 30 seconds.
4. Add the wine and stir.
5. Chill and marinate overnight.
6. Remove ginger add in fresh basil, the remaining fresh fruit, stir in sodas and serve over ice when ready.
7.  

Recipe #7 – Southern Sweet Tea & Lemonade Sangria Recipe

If you’re a fan of Arnold Palmer’s you’re going to love this southern inspired sangria recipe.  I prefer to use a Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer, dry Moscato d’Asti, or Chenin Blanc for this recipe since these wines play nicely with the tart of the lemon and tannins in the tea.

Ingredients

• 1 750 ml bottle of dry white wine
• 2 cups freshly brewed cooled black tea (orange pekoe, Earl Grey, or Irish breakfast)
• 2 cups lemonade
• ½ cup triple sec
• ¼ – ½ cup simple syrup (optional)
• 1 unpeeled lemon
• 1 unpeeled lime
• 1 unpeeled Navel orange
• 1 handful torn mint leaves

Method

1. Wash fruit thoroughly, dry, slice thinly, and remove seeds.
2. Add half the fruit and lightly muddle with a wooden spoon for 30 seconds.
3. Add liqueur, mint, tea, and lemonade and muddle again for 30 seconds.
4. Add the wine, remaining ingredients, and stir well.
5. Taste and sweetener if desired.
6. Chill and marinate overnight.
7. Taste if it needs a little more sweetener add a tablespoon of simple syrup until it’s sweetened to taste.
8. Stir well and serve over ice.

Foods That Pair With Summer Sangria Recipes

The good thing is nearly any warm weather favorite food pairs nicely with all the easy summer sangria recipes.  If you need a little more menu inspiration, here’s a quick and handy cheat sheet.

Red Sangria

• Barbecue ribs (beef or pork)
• Grilled steak & corn salad
• Chorizo sausage
• Beef empanadas
• Fried calamari, clams, oysters, or shrimp
• Cobb salad
• Skirt steak tacos
• Ribeye steak
• Beef kabobs
• Cured meats & hard cheeses – Prosciutto, salami, cappicola, cheddar, gouda, and Stilton cheese
• Bacon and blue cheese burgers
• Smoked sausage and kielbasa
• Brisket

White Sangria

• Crab cakes
• Clam bake
• Haddock, cod, snapper, grouper
• Grilled Mahi-Mahi
• Fish tacos
• Turkey and guacamole burgers
• Lobster and crab
• Pulled pork
• Greek salad
• Grilled octopus, shrimp, or calamari
• Soft cheeses: brie, goat, Brillat Savarin, and Harbison
• Chicken sausage
• Smoked pork
• Grilled chicken
• Fried chicken
• Waldorf salad
• Berry & nut salad
• Smoked salmon & cream cheese
• Caesar salad
• Serrano ham

Now get chopping and pouring.  Make one of these delicious sangria recipes any time of year and you’ll feel the warm glow of summer with each sip.