Easy Red Sangria

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Make classic red sangria with this simple recipe! It combines Spanish red wine, brandy and fresh fruit and only takes a few minutes to prep. It’s refreshing, customizable and the perfect make-ahead drink for entertaining.

Another cocktail recipe for you! This is one of my favorites to make for a crowd. It’s so simple – just pour all of your ingredients into a pitcher and let it sit!

A wine glass containing red wine sangria. There is a second glass out of focus in the background along with a pitcher.

What is Sangria?

Sangria comes from the Spanish word “sangre,” meaning blood, referring to the red color of the drink. It is a mixed alcoholic drink typically made with red wine and fruit. Although not included in traditional Sangria recipes, many versions call for some sort of liquor (triple sec, brandy, etc.) and carbonation like soda water.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • This simple cocktail is a staple recipe!
  • Delicious year round – perfect for summer nights or winter holiday parties.
  • Fully customizable depending on what you have on hand or your personal preferences.
Ingredients measured out to make red sangria: chopped lemon, chopped green apple, dry spanish red win, maple syrup, brandy, orange juice and chopped orange.

Here’s What You Need

  • fresh fruit – I used a combination of orange slices, green apple and lemon slices.
  • orange juice – freshly squeezed or store-bought orange juice works! Just make sure to avoid anything with added sugar.
  • brandy – you can also use cognac or an orange liquor like triple sec or cointreau.
  • red wine – I recommend a dry Spanish red wine for a traditional sangria! Rioja, Tempranillo or Garnacha are all good options.
  • liquid sweetener – maple syrup, agave, simple syrup, honey or cane sugar all works! You can also skip this step, but I just like a touch of sweetness to balance the flavors!
  • sparkling water – optional but I like adding a splash before serving for a little carbonation. Club soda would also work!
A wine glass containing red wine sangria garnished with two orange slices.

What is the Best Wine to Use?

Sangria is traditionally made with dry Spanish red wine. Rioja, Tempranillo or Garnacha are all good options. I personally used Tempranillo in this recipe but really any dry, red wine would work! There is enough sweetness from the other ingredients that you don’t want the drink to be overly sweet with sweet wine!

Variations

  • Different wine – any dry red wine will work great for this recipe. Want to try a white wine version? Try my white wine sangria recipe!
  • Different liquor – in place of brandy you can use cognac or orange liquor or even omit if you don’t have anything on hand!
  • Different fruit – the fruit I used are traditionally included but feel free to get creative! Fresh berries, cherries, mango or even pineapple would all be delicious additions!
  • Spices – spice it up with some cinnamon sticks or fresh ginger.
pro tip!
I don’t recommend using your fanciest bottle of wine here since it’s mixed with so many ingredients. 
Photo of a pitcher with orange juice and chopped fruit and a wooden spoon. Next to this is another photo of a bottle of red wine being poured in.

How to Make The Best Sangria

Start by prepping all of your fruit – dice the apple, orange and lemon into small pieces and leave the peel on! There is so much flavor in the peel so we want to make sure it’s included.

Add the fruit to a large pitcher along with the orange juice. Pour the wine and brandy into the pitcher. Stir to combine, taste and add any liquid sweetener as desired. I recommend starting with just 1 Tablespoon and adding slowly if needed – I only ended up using 1 Tablespoon of maple syrup.

Stir everything until well combined and refrigerate for at least 1 hour but preferably longer! I usually prep my sangria the night before so it can have plenty of time to allow the flavors to meld.

When you’re ready to enjoy, add ice to a glass and pour sangria over the ice. Top with sparkling water if desired. Enjoy!

Overhead view of a glass of red wine sangria garnished with 2 orange slices.

FAQ

What is traditional sangria made of?

This depends on who you ask! Sangria originated in Spain and is a punch traditionally made with red wine, chopped fruit and spices. It often includes other ingredients like liquor and sugar as well but it depends on who is making it!

Is sangria as strong as wine?

Yes! Your sangria will be as strong as your wine is.

Do you eat the fruit?

It’s up to you! I always like eating the flavor-packed fruit bites at the bottom of my glass but you don’t have to.

Can You Make Sangria in Advance?

Yes! This is the perfect party drink because you can make a big batch beforehand and then serve it at party time! I like setting out the pitcher with the sangria mixture along with glasses of ice, cans of sparkling water and a small dish of the garnishes. Each guest can customize their sangria and decide if they want to add carbonation and what garnish they would like!

A wine glass containing red wine sangria. There is a second glass out of focus in the background along with a pitcher.

How to Store Leftovers

Sangria will last 3-5 days in the refrigerator, just make sure it hasn’t sat out in the open and been exposed to air for too long. This can cause the wine to oxidize faster and go rancid. Also, the freshness of your sangria depends on how old your fruit was when you used it. If storing for a few days in the fridge, make sure to check your fruit to make sure it hasn’t molded before serving!

More Cocktails to Try

Be sure to check out the full collection of cocktail recipes here on EBF!

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4 from 3 votes

Red Sangria

Make classic red sangria with this simple recipe! It combines Spanish red wine, brandy and fresh fruit and only takes a few minutes to prep. It's refreshing, customizable and the perfect make-ahead drink for entertaining.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients  

  • 1 orange, diced, plus more for garnishing if desired
  • 1 green apple, diced
  • 1 lemon, diced
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • cup brandy
  • 1 750 ml bottle dry Spanish red wine, Rioja, Tempranillo or Garnacha (I used Tempranillo)
  • 1-3 Tablespoons maple syrup agave, simple syrup or cane sugar to sweeten, optional
  • sparkling water, optional

Instructions 

  • Dice the apple, orange, and lemon into small pieces. Make sure to leave the peels on.
    An overhead view of chopped apple, orange and lemon in orange juice in a pitcher.
  • Add fruit pieces into your pitcher along with the orange juice.
    A glass pitcher containing pieces of chopped apple, orange and lemon in orange juice.
  • Pour the wine and brandy into the pitcher. Stir to combine, taste and add any sweetener as desired. Start with 1 Tablespoon at a time and add more as desired. I only used 1 Tablespoon of maple syrup.
    Red wine being poured into a pitcher containing chopped apple, orange and lemon in orange juice.
  • Stir everything together until it's all combined. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably 3-4 hours or overnight. The longer the sangria sits, the more time the flavors can meld together.
    An overhead view of red wine sangria. You can see chunks of chopped apple, orange and lemon.
  • When ready to serve, pour sangria over ice and top with sparkling water and extra orange slices, if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1glass | Calories: 191kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 172mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Cocktails, Drinks
Cuisine: spanish
Keyword: red sangria, sangria
Did you make this recipe?Mention @eatingbirdfood and tag #eatingbirdfood!

About Brittany

Hey there, I’m Brittany, the creator of Eating Bird Food, cookbook author, health coach and mama of two littles. Here you’ll find quick and easy recipes that make healthy fun and enjoyable for you and your family!

More about Brittany
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