Red Sangria

Whether you’re planning a dinner party, a late-night chat sesh with your friends, or need a summer cocktail perfect for sharing, my classic red sangria recipe won’t let you down. Fruity, refreshing, and perfect for a crowd, sangria is one of my go-to cocktails to enjoy all year long. While I love this classic combination of fruits, spices, and wine, I’ve also included all of my top tips on how to vary this wine cocktail to your particular taste. Get that pitcher out—sangria season is here to stay.

What Is Sangria?

Sangria comes to us by way of Spain and Portugal and has a long, rich history that dates back to the Middle Ages. Originally, sangria was aged wine mixed with fruit and spices, such as cinnamon. Over time, regional variations evolved. My recipe combines red wine with orange juice, brandy, apples, blueberries, strawberries, and cinnamon to create the classic fruity, spiced flavor.

How To Make Red Sangria

INGREDIENTS

• Red Wine: Because sangria has a fair bit of sweetness, it’s wise to build it around a dry red wine. And because sangria hails from Spain, I like to stick with Spanish reds. Get yourself a bottle of tempranillo or garnacha—nothing too spendy—and you can’t go wrong.
• Orange Juice: Fresh orange juice contributes brightness and a good balance of sweetness and acidity.
• Brandy: Adds depth, complexity, and a little alcohol heat. Really, any brandy will work here. Don't break the bank.
  
• Sugar: Acts as a counterweight to wine’s acidity and tannin and enhances the flavor of the fruit.
• Fruit: I like a mix of citrus, pome fruit (apples and pears), and berries. Sliced orange and apple are ideal, as both release their flavors gradually and are firm enough to withstand an extended, boozy bath. For the berries, I’m a particular fan of strawberries, as their flavor chimes with many red wines.
• Cinnamon: If you’ve ever had mulled wine, you know that cinnamon and red wine make a fine pair.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

First off, you’ll need a large pitcher; failing that, a large glass bowl will do. Now, stir your liquids (wine, orange juice, brandy) and sugar together; keep at it until the sugar is mostly dissolved. Stir in the fruit and cinnamon stick, and it’s time to chill.

Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, and preferably overnight, to give the fruit a chance to soften and the flavors time to get cozy. Serve over ice, with some of the fruit from the pitcher.

Full list of ingredients and directions can be found in the recipe below.

Sangria Variations

While I find classic red sangria to be the perfect summer sipper, Delish has a sangria for every person and season. Looking for a winter sangria to please your holiday crowd? Try our cranberry-apple sangria or sparkling apple cider sangria. If you’re more of a white wine fan, then white sangria is the way to go; check out our green apple moscato sangria. Looking for a non-alcoholic version? This virgin cranberry-basil sangria is a sure-fire winner.

Recipe Tips

• What is the best wine for red sangria? Since you’ll be mixing other ingredients into it, you don't necessarily want to use your best wine for sangria. A few of my favorites include Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon, but it's all dependent on personal preference. Just remember that you will be adding lots of fruity elements and a nice dose of sugar, so even the not-so-great bottles will get a bit of a glow-up once you’re done. Want to learn more about red wines? Delish's article on the major types of red wines is the best place to start.
• What is the best brandy for red sangria? When it comes to the brandy, you’ve got options. Cognac will make things boozier, some other brandies will be less spirit-forward. Check out Delish's roundup of the best wines and brandies for recommendations.
• What is the best fruit to add to red sangria? You want to use sturdy, flavorful fruits that can sit in the pitcher for a long time without disintegrating. I went with apples, blueberries, oranges, and strawberries here, but your options don’t stop there. Play off the wine you are using and choose complementary fruits, or vary your sangria based on what’s in season! Citrus, pears, cranberries, and pomegranates all make great sangria additions in the winter months. My favorite seasonal standbys include peaches, blackberries, lime, and cherries.
• Can I make sangria ahead of time? Absolutely! Sangria is the perfect make-ahead drink when you’re entertaining a crowd. In fact, its flavors meld and deepen with the extra chilling time. Just stir all the ingredients together in a pitcher, cover, and refrigerate for up to 1 day.

Storage

Sangria can be made 1 day ahead. Cover the pitcher with plastic wrap and chill until ready to serve.