Are you a red wine drinker but sometimes want something a touch more refreshing? I have just the solution for you today. Red Sangria imparts the red wine tannins in a lighter and more refreshing fashion. Join me as we make the best batch of traditional red sangria with this authentic recipe!
Sangria makes wine sweeter and brighter, which is a bozzie and festive choice for so many occasions. It’s the perfect mix of still refreshing for late summer temps and the early fall cozy feels. It a great make ahead beverage which is perfect for entertaining.
The Gist
Traditional Red Sangria Recipe Perfectly Refreshing
> Sangria is a popular Spanish and Portuguese wine punch
> Learn how to make the best traditional red wine sangria with step by step recipe instructions
> Variations and options for Sangria
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What is Sangria?
Sangria is a popular Spanish and Portuguese wine punch typically made with red wine, chopped fruit, fruit juice, a sweetener, and a splash of brandy or orange liqueur. It is often served chilled over ice and is highly customizable, with white wine (sangria blanca) and sparkling variations commonly enjoyed as well
How to Make a Delicious Batch of Red Wine Sangria
Red sangria combines the red wine comforting feels with a refreshing touch. It’s the perfect refreshment for lingering late summer days still with high temps, and early fall days with cooler breezes and darker days. My dad was born in Spain and my mother’s side also has Spanish lineage so I’ve grown up having a Spanish influence in my life. And here we are.
MJ Cooking Pro Tip
Before starting, read recipe all the way through. Then re-read the recipe and assemble all your ingredients so you are fully prepared, knowing all the things you need (ingredients and tools included). Being fully prepared avoids any surprises and prevents unnecessary stress, providing the most enjoyable experience.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Prep Recipe
- Read instructions thoroughly
- Assemble all supplies & tools
- Select a pitcher or container for Sangria
Prepare Fruit
- Wash all fruits
- Slice oranges and quarter slices
- Core and cut apple into cube pieces or slices
- Slice lemon or lime
Assemble Beverage
- Add cut fruits (apple, oranges & lemon) to bottom of pitcher
- Add bottle of wine, submerging fruit
- Add brandy, orange liquor and sugar
- Mix gently to meld flavors
- Refrigerate for at least one hour up to overnight
Serve Sangria Glasses
- Once sangria is chilled, remove from refrigerator and add seltzer
- Select glassware (high ball or large goblet are good choices) and fill with ice
- Pour sangria over ice
- Garnish drink with orange wedge
- Salud! Enjoy your red sangria cocktail
MJ Cooking Pro Tip
The whole is only as good as the sum of its parts. The fresher the ingredients are, the better the end result of any recipe.
Tips & Recommendations About the Red Sangria Recipe
Wine Options
Since you will be mixing wine with other ingredients a middle of the road wine variety works best. You don’t want to use a super spendy wine bottle since you will be altering the flavor profile. You also don’t want a bottle of wine which won’t mix well with the other ingredients. A Spanish red variety will provide the most authentic result but a milder red like a Malbec or Pinot work well rather than a Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel which tend to be heavier.
Fruit Options
The traditional red sangria from Spain uses oranges, apple and lemon, but feel to experiment with other options. I use a granny smith apple since I enjoy the tart flavor and color contrast with the red wine, but you can use and type of red apple or even a yellow variety. Pears and grapes are also great choices to use in a red sangria punch.
Container Options
Clear beverage containers are great option for sangria since it’s pretty to look at before indulging. The ruby red wine with different colored and textured fruits is a work of art.
Sweetner Options
Sugar is used in this particular recipe but you can substitute simple syrup. Also some recipes call for juicing one of the oranges into the sangria rather than slicing both oranges, which would also impart natural sweetness. I’ve also seen sweetened carbonated soda used instead of seltzer, which is not an authentic sangria and I find extremely sweet for my personal taste.
MJ Cooking Pro Tip
Add the seltzer water right before serving the sangria after it’s been chilled properly.
Why Sangria is a Good Idea
- A super expensive bottle of wine is not necessary for a delicious batch of sangria
- It’s festive and looks pretty
- Easy to assemble and prep ahead of time, making it a great choice for entertaining
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Closing Thoughts ~ Conclusion about the Traditional Red Wine Sangria
Are you a red wine drinker? If so, I hope you enjoy this recipe. It’s a perfect way to enjoy the red wine flavor profile in a lighter and more refreshing manner. If you give this recipe a go, let me know below in the comments.
Thanks for dropping by today and can’t wait to see you next time.
Au Revoir!
FAQs ~ Red Sangria Recipe
Q1. Can I use white wine?
A1. Yes. There’s white sangria which uses dry white wine, rosé, or sparkling Cava.
Q2. Can you make it ahead of time?
A2. Yes. Letting it chill for a few hours or overnight helps the flavors meld, but add delicate fruits (like berries) and carbonation just before serving.
Q3. How should sangria be stored?
A3. Always keep sangria in the refrigerator since it contains fresh fruit and wine. It tastes best consumed within 1 to 2 days.
Q4. How much alcohol does sangria have?
A4. Usually between 4% and 12% ABV, depending on the ingredients and extra spirits added.
Q5. Is brandy required?
A5. No. While traditional recipes add brandy and orange liqueur for depth and a higher alcohol punch, you can omit it for a lighter drink.
Traditional Red Sangria
Equipment
- 1 Glass Beverage Container
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Sharp knife
Ingredients
- 750 m Bottle Red Wine Spanish variety recommended
- 1/4 cup Brandy
- 1/4 cup Orange Liquor
- 2 Tbsp Sugar
- 2 ea Oranges
- 1 ea Apple
- 1 ea Lemon
- 1-1/2 cup Seltzer Water
Instructions
- Wash all fruit
- Slice oranges and quarter slices
- Core and cut apple into cube pieces or slices
- Slice lemon (can substitute with lime if desired)
- Add cut fruits (apple, oranges & lemon) to bottom of pitcher
- Add bottle of wine, submerging fruit
- Add brandy, orange liquor and sugar
- Mix gently to meld flavors
- Refrigerate for at least one hour up to overnight
- Once sangria is chilled, remove from refrigerator and add seltzer
- Select glassware (high ball or large goblet are good choices) and fill with ice
- Pour sangria over ice
- Garnish drink with orange wedge
- Salud!
Get the Sangria Look
- Large Glass Water Pitcher with Spout
- Vintage Glass Pitcher, Glass Carafe, Bar Mixing Pitcher
- Glass Beverage Dispenser
- Vintage Style Glass Punch Bowl for Parties
- Glass Punch Bowl with Ladle
- Glass Punch Bowl w/Ladle, 8 Cups
- Bar Spoon Set 10 Inch Stainless Steel Cocktail Mixing
- Swizzle Sticks Colorful Clear Beverage Stirrers – FUN!!!
- All Purpose Stemmed Drinking Glasses
- Mixology Purpose Goblet, Set of 4, Clear
- Dishwasher Safe Bamboo Cutting Board, Lightweight & Durable Wood
- Bamboo Large Cutting Board with Juice Groove, 20-5/8″ x 12-1/2″
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Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than, possibly, any other purely sensory thing.”
Ernest Hemingway