Easy and Delicious Sangria Recipe
My hubby, Mark, is OBSESSED with this sangria. One time, I made a batch for a BBQ, and he “accidentally” drank half of it before anyone else even arrived. Now, I have to hide it from him until the guests show up! Our little Sarah loves the fruit soaked in the yummy wine mix. I always give her a small glass of juice instead of the actual Sangria! She feels so important! We love it!
Why You’ll Love This Easy and Delicious Sangria Recipe
- It’s ridiculously easy to make – like, almost too easy. You literally chop fruit and dump it in a pitcher.
- It’s the perfect excuse to use up all that fruit that’s about to go bad in your fridge. Waste not, want not!
- It looks super fancy, but it’s actually super budget-friendly. Wine doesn’t need to be expensive!
- You can totally customize it with whatever fruit you have on hand. Improv is the name of the game!
How to Make It
Alright, here’s the deal. First, you’re gonna chop up all your fruit. Don’t stress too much about the sizes—just make sure they’re bite-sized (ish). Throw them into a BIG pitcher. I usually use my biggest glass one. Then, pour in the wine. Red wine, preferably something cheap-ish but drinkable, you know? Don’t use your fancy wine!
Next, add the orange juice and brandy. The brandy gives it a little oomph, but if you don’t have any, vodka works too (shhh, don’t tell anyone I said that). Stir it all together, then add your simple syrup. Taste it! If it’s not sweet enough, add a little more syrup or even just a spoonful of sugar. Let it sit in the fridge for at least a few hours, but overnight is even better. The fruit needs time to soak up all that boozy goodness.
Before serving, top it off with some sparkling water or club soda to give it some fizz. And that’s it! Seriously, so easy!
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Ingredient Notes
- Red Wine: Okay, so you don’t need to use anything super fancy here. A cheap-ish Spanish Rioja or a fruity Merlot will do the trick. Honestly, I once used a boxed wine in a pinch, and it was still delicious! Just don’t tell the wine snobs.
- Orange Juice: Freshly squeezed is always best, but let’s be real, I usually use the store-bought stuff. No shame!
- Brandy: This adds a nice little kick, but if you don’t have it, you can use vodka or even a little bit of rum. Or just skip it altogether! It’s still good without.
- Simple Syrup: This is just sugar and water boiled together until the sugar dissolves. You can buy it, but it’s so easy to make yourself. Just combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan, heat until the sugar dissolves, and then let it cool. Boom!
Recipe Steps:
- Chop all the fruit into bite-sized pieces and place in a large pitcher.
- Pour in the red wine, orange juice, and brandy.
- Add simple syrup to the pitcher.
- Stir all ingredients together thoroughly.
- Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight.
- Top with sparkling water or club soda just before serving.
What to Serve It With
Honestly, this sangria goes with everything! BBQ, tapas, cheese and crackers, or just sitting on the porch watching the sunset. I mean, what doesn’t go with sangria?
Tips & Mistakes
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with the fruit! I’ve used peaches, raspberries, and even kiwi before. Just make sure whatever you use is ripe and juicy.
- If you want your sangria to be extra strong, let the fruit soak in the brandy for a few hours before adding the wine. But be careful – it sneaks up on you!
- Don’t add the sparkling water until right before serving, or it will go flat. Duh.
- If you’re making this for a party, you can prep it the night before. The longer it sits, the better it tastes!
Storage Tips
Okay, so if you actually have any leftover sangria (which is rare in my house), you can store it in the fridge for a couple of days. Just keep it in an airtight container. And honestly, cold sangria for breakfast is not the worst thing in the world. Don’t judge me!
Variations and Substitutions
- White Sangria: Swap the red wine for white wine, like a Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. Use green apples and grapes for the fruit. It’s SO good!
- Sparkling Sangria: Use sparkling wine instead of regular wine. It’s perfect for celebrations!
- Non-Alcoholic Sangria: Use grape juice or cranberry juice instead of wine. Add some sparkling cider for fizz.
- I once tried using pineapple juice instead of orange juice because I was out. It was… okay. Not my favorite, but it worked in a pinch. I’ve also skipped the brandy entirely and just added a splash of rum I found in the back of the cabinet. It was fine!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Easy and Delicious Sangria Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 bottle Red wine Choose a dry wine like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon
- 1 cup Orange juice Freshly squeezed for best results
- 0.25 cup Brandy Optional, but adds depth to the flavor
- 2 tbsp Sugar Adjust to taste depending on the sweetness of the wine and fruits
- 1 medium Orange Sliced thinly, leaving the peel on
- 1 medium Lemon Sliced thinly, leaving the peel on
- 1 medium Apple Cored and sliced thinly
- 1 cup Soda water For a fizzy touch; optional
- 1 cup Mixed berries Such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- In a large pitcher, combine the wine, orange juice, brandy, and sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
- Add the sliced orange, lemon, apple, and mixed berries to the pitcher.
- Chill the sangria in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
- Before serving, add the soda water for a fizzy touch. Serve the sangria over ice, garnished with additional fruit slices if desired.
Notes
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below. I love to hear from you and always appreciate your feedback!
