Summer Sangria (with Red or White Wine)
This simple summer sangria can be made with either red or white wine and your favorite summer fruit. It’s slightly sweet, very fruity, and refreshing on a hot summer day. Plus it’s perfect for sharing!
Sangria is one of my favorite beverages to serve guests all summer long. I’ve made a lot of sangria over the years, and no two pitchers are ever the same! My summer sangria “recipe” is more like a guide, giving you all the options to make what you like. It has just 5 ingredients, and works with either red or white wine and whatever summer fruit you have.
Table of Contents
- Why your summer needs this sangria recipe
- Sangria ingredients
- Step-by-step instructions
- Tips for making white wine sangria
- Tips for making red wine sangria
- Sangria flavor variations
- FAQs
- Summer sangria recipe
Why your summer needs this sangria recipe
- It’s incredibly adaptable— you choose the wine, liqueur and fruit. Use your faves!
- It’s easy!
- You can make it ahead!
This is the perfect adult beverage to serve all summer long— backyard hangs, parties, holidays and pretty much anytime I find an excuse to!
It may be a summer recipe, but you can honestly make it year-round! And if you’re looking for a more cozy sangria to serve in the cooler fall and winter months, I highly recommend my pomegranate citrus sangria recipe.
Sangria ingredients
- White or red wine, you choose! Red wine will usually have a more intense fruit-forward taste, while white wine feels slightly lighter and brighter
- Brandy or fruit liqueur, for more complexity and depth of flavor.
- Freshly squeezed orange juice, to add a bit of bright flavor and freshness for summer.
- Sugar, for a touch of sweetness.
- Fresh fruit of your choice, like berries, citrus, peaches, apples, etc.
- (Optional) Club soda or ginger ale, if you want to lighten up the booziness or stretch servings farther.
Step-by-step instructions
- Muddle brandy, orange juice and sugar. Add to a pitcher and stir until sugar is dissolved.
- Add wine and fruit. Keep berries whole, but larger fruits and citrus need to be sliced.
- Chill. The fridge is where all the magic happens! The sangria should chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours so the flavor has time to mix and meld, but no more than 12 hours.
- Serve and enjoy! Pour servings over ice and top with club soda or ginger ale, if you want.
Tips for making white wine sangria
When making white wine sangria, try to keep it really light and bright with a lot of citrus slices, some berries for a pop of color and maybe even fresh mint. Add depth with flavored brandy like Grand Marnier, Gran Gala, or Cointreau (all orange-flavored) or peach brandy/schnapps. Opt for light and bright wines such as Pinot Grigio, dry Riesling, un-oaked Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc.
Tips for making red wine sangria
Red wine sangria is the classic and really anything goes! Use a variety of any and all fruits you like. When it comes to brandy, all suggestions above will work here too. Or, experiment with fruit liqueurs like Chambord (raspberry) or crème de cassis (blackberry) for a fruit-forward flavor that pairs well with red wine. Consider using Pinot Noir, Malbec, or Zinfandel wine for rich and flavorful sangria.
Sangria flavor variations
If you want to tailor your sangria even more towards a certain fruit or flavor, here are a few specific suggestions:
Berry Sangria: Use a red wine and crème de cassis. Add orange slices and a mix of strawberries, raspberries and blackberries.
Peach Sangria: Use a white wine and peach schnapps. Add sliced peaches, lemons, and a few sprigs of mint.
Raspberry Rosé: Use a rosé wine and Chambord. Add raspberries and either/both lemon and lime slices.
FAQs
This sangria is best within 2-12 hours of assembly. If chilling longer than 2 hours, add fruit in later as it can discolor over time.
You should use a wine that tastes great all on its own (good wine=better sangria), but it doesn’t need to be expensive! See tips sections above for specific recommendations.
Yes, of course! You can follow this recipe exactly, substituting a zero proof/non-alcoholic wine and omitting the brandy. You can also make a sangria-inspired beverage with white grape juice, ginger ale or even lemon-lime soda.
Summer sangria recipe
Summer Sangria (with Red or White Wine)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- ½ cup brandy , or fruit liqueur
- 750 ml bottle red wine or white wine
- 2 cups fresh fruit such as citrus slices, berries, peaches, apples, etc. , sliced or chopped as needed
Optional:
- Ice , or use frozen fruit
- Sparkling water or ginger ale , to taste
Instructions
- Add sugar, orange juice, and brandy to a quart-sized pitcher and stir for about 1 minute until sugar is dissolved.
- Add red or white wine and fruit and stir until combined.
- Chill completely in the fridge, at least 2 hours and up to 12 hours. If chilling more than 2 hours, I recommend waiting to add the fruit as it can discolor over time.
- Serve over ice, adding sparkling water or ginger ale if desired.
Notes
- If using a sweeter wine, omit or adjust the sugar.
- Use a wine that tastes good all on its own, but wine does not need to be expensive. I love the fruitiness of Pinot grapes, so Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir are my favorites.
- Opt for light and bright white wines such as Pinot Grigio, dry Riesling, un-oaked Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc.
- Consider using Pinot Noir, Malbec, or Zinfandel wine for a rich and flavorful red sangria.
- Cognac or traditional American brandy will work great. Grand Marnier, Gran Gala, or Cointreau (all orange-flavored), peach brandy/schnapps, Chambord (raspberry liqueur) or crème de cassis (blackberry liqueur) are other options.
