During the summer months when the days are long, the weather is hot and people are getting together for outdoor parties and celebrations, Sangria is often on the menu. Sangria is a simple combination of wine, brandy, fresh fruit, and some sort of sweetener. To me, Sangria is a fun way to serve a glass of wine. It's something you can prepare ahead of time and since you serve it in a pitcher or a drink container, guests can easily help themselves. It's a great option if you don't want to be tending bar during a simple party.
This summer has been very busy for us so Sangria was a great beverage to put on our Happy Hour menu, especially at the beach! I made three different versions this year; red, white and rose so there was something for everyone. The recipes are simple and can be altered in any way to suit your taste. I used fresh, seasonal fruit for the best flavor and I used inexpensive wine because this is one time when it won't matter! That's the beauty of Sangria! So use these recipes as a "guide" as you create your own version of Sangria for your next gathering. And remember, you can make Sangria all year. Just changing up the fruit gives you so many delicious options!
Cheers! xo
This recipe for Red Sangria uses 2 bottles of wine and is great for a larger serving vessel. If you just want enough for a smaller pitcher you can easily cut back on the wine and other ingredients.
Red Sangria
Recipe
Ingredients
1 orange sliced
1 apple sliced
1 lemon sliced
1 lime sliced
1 cup orange juice (fresh squeezed is best)
1 cup brandy
1 cup lemon club soda or seltzer
2 bottles red wine
Method
Pour brandy and orange juice over fruit in a large pitcher or serving container. Add wine and club soda or seltzer. Serve cold.
This recipe for White Sangria doesn't have brandy in it. I wanted this version to be simple and light with a hint of fruit so the only extra ingredient is club soda.
White Sangria
Recipe
Ingredients
1 sliced peach
1 sliced mango
1 sliced red apple
1 sliced Granny Smith apple
1 plum
1 sliced pear
1 cup lemon club soda
2 bottles of white wine
Method
In a large pitcher or serving container combine fruit, club soda and wine. Serve cold.
Rose Sangria
Recipe
Ingredients
2 cups fresh strawberries sliced
2 cups fresh blackberries
1 lemon sliced
1 cup fresh pineapple cut into chunks
1 cup brandy
1 cup lemon club soda or seltzer
2 bottles rose wine
Method
Pour brandy over fruit in a large pitcher or serving container. Add wine and club soda. Serve cold.
*Notes
~ Feel free to chop your fruit into smaller pieces if you would like to add it to the glasses for serving. I used larger slices of fruit in these recipes because I liked how it looked in a larger container.
~ If you have time it's a great idea to soak the fruit in the brandy and/or wine mixture before you serve it. The flavor gets better as things marinate. You can marinate the fruit for a couple of hours or overnight. Then add the club soda just before serving.
~ You will notice I don't add sugar to my Sangria. I don't think it's necessary but if you want to sweeten yours up you can add 1/2 cup or so of sugar to any of the recipes.
Photos by Leslie Reese and Tara D'Aloisio