Easy Red Sangria
- PREP 10min
- TOTAL 10min
You will love this classic sangria recipe with dry red wine, seasonal fruits, and brandy (optional). Brandy makes the sangria taste amazing, but you can leave it out if you prefer. You can also substitute with another liqueur (triple sec and Grand Marnier are popular choices).
You Will Need
1 (750ml) bottle of dry red wine, see notes below for suggestions
1/4 cup (60ml) brandy
2 medium oranges
1 medium lemon
3 to 5 tablespoons brown sugar or sweetener of choice, see notes
1 ½ cups sliced seasonal fruit (apple, pear, strawberries, peaches or a combination)
1 cinnamon stick
1 bottle sparkling water, chilled, optional
Directions
Add the bottle of wine and brandy to a tall pitcher.
Juice one of the oranges and half of the lemon, then add the juice to the pitcher. Save the second orange and the remaining lemon half for later.
Add brown sugar and stir until it has completely dissolved into the wine, 15 to 20 seconds. Taste and adjust with more sweetener if needed. If using a liquid sweetener (like maple syrup), use a little less at first, taste, and then add more as needed.
Slice the remaining orange and lemon half into thin slices, then add them to the pitcher. Add the seasonal fruit and cinnamon stick.
Stir, cover, and chill for at least 30 minutes and up to a day in advance to allow the fruit to infuse the wine.
Serve chilled (with or without ice). For a sparkling sangria, top with a splash of chilled sparkling water.
Adam and Joanne's Tips
- Sangria wine: We recommend a dry red wine, preferably from Spain. Look for Tempranillo, Garnacha (also known as Grenache), or a label with Rioja written on it.
- Sweetener: We use plain brown sugar to make sangria and find that after 20 seconds or so of stirring, it dissolves nicely into the wine. Other options are simple syrup, honey, and maple syrup.
- Make ahead: Sangria can be made one day in advance (possibly a bit longer). It should be covered and stored in the refrigerator.
- The nutrition facts provided below are estimates.