12 Amazing Sangria Recipes Perfect For Summer Entertaining
Summer calls for refreshing drinks that bring people together, and sangria delivers exactly that. These fruity wine cocktails transform ordinary gatherings into memorable celebrations.
From classic red wine versions to creative frozen slushies, these sangria recipes offer something special for every taste and occasion.
01. Pink Wine Berry Sangria
Beautiful pink sangria loaded with fresh strawberries and citrus flavors. This crowd-pleasing drink works perfectly for brunches, showers, or any festive gathering.
Ingredients: 1 bottle white Zinfandel wine, 1 cup pineapple juice, 2 cups ginger ale, ¼ cup frozen lemonade concentrate, 2 cups fresh strawberries (sliced), 2 limes (cut into wedges), ice cubes.
How To Make Pink Wine Berry Sangria
1. Pour the white Zinfandel into a large pitcher and add the thawed lemonade concentrate. Stir well until the concentrate completely dissolves into the wine, creating a smooth base for your sangria.
2. Add the pineapple juice to the wine mixture and stir gently. The pineapple adds tropical sweetness that balances the wine’s acidity perfectly.
3. Fold in the sliced strawberries and lime wedges, pressing the fruit lightly with a wooden spoon to release some juices. Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
4. Just before serving, add the ginger ale slowly to preserve carbonation. Fill glasses with ice and pour the sangria over, making sure each glass gets plenty of fruit.
02. Fresh Peach Basil White Sangria
Light and herbaceous white sangria featuring ripe peaches and garden-fresh basil. This elegant combination creates a sophisticated drink that’s surprisingly easy to make.
Ingredients: 1 bottle Pinot Grigio, ½ cup peach schnapps, 3 large ripe peaches (sliced), 12 fresh basil leaves, 2 tablespoons agave nectar (optional), ice cubes, extra basil for garnish.
How To Make Fresh Peach Basil White Sangria
1. Combine the Pinot Grigio and peach schnapps in a large pitcher. The schnapps enhances the peach flavor without overwhelming the wine’s delicate character.
2. Gently muddle 8 basil leaves in the bottom of the pitcher using a wooden spoon. Don’t over-muddle – you want to bruise the leaves to release oils, not shred them completely.
3. Add the sliced peaches to the pitcher and stir gently. The fruit will continue releasing flavors as it sits, so don’t worry about extracting every bit of juice immediately.
4. Taste and add agave nectar if you prefer sweeter sangria. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
5. Serve over ice in wine glasses, garnishing each with a fresh basil leaf and a peach slice for an elegant presentation.
03. Tropical Fruit White Sangria
Moscato-based sangria bursting with tropical fruits and citrus. This sweet and fruity version tastes like summer vacation in a glass.
Ingredients: 1 bottle Moscato wine, ¼ cup brandy, 1 cup lemon-lime soda, ½ cup orange juice, ¼ cup peach schnapps, 2 peaches (diced), 1 cup strawberries (sliced), 1 mango (diced), 1 cup pineapple chunks, ½ cup raspberries.
How To Make Tropical Fruit White Sangria
1. Pour Moscato and brandy into a large pitcher, stirring to combine. The brandy adds depth to the sweet Moscato without overpowering its natural fruit flavors.
2. Add orange juice and peach schnapps, mixing well. These additions create layers of citrus and stone fruit flavors that complement the wine beautifully.
3. Fold in all the fresh fruit – peaches, strawberries, mango, pineapple, and raspberries. Use the freshest, ripest fruit you can find for maximum flavor impact.
4. Refrigerate the mixture for at least 4 hours or overnight. This allows the fruit to macerate and infuse the wine with natural sweetness.
5. Just before serving, add the lemon-lime soda to maintain carbonation. Serve in large wine glasses filled with ice, ensuring each serving gets a generous amount of fruit.
04. Classic White Wine Sangria
Traditional white sangria with peach schnapps, cognac, and fresh fruit. This recipe has become a summer party staple that never fails to impress guests.
Ingredients: 1 bottle dry white wine, ½ cup peach schnapps, ¼ cup cognac, 2 cups ginger ale, 2 oranges (sliced), 1 large mango (cubed), ice cubes, orange slices for garnish.
How To Make Classic White Wine Sangria
1. Combine white wine, peach schnapps, and cognac in a large pitcher. The cognac adds sophistication and warmth that elevates this sangria above typical recipes.
2. Add the orange slices and mango cubes, stirring gently to distribute fruit evenly. Let the mixture rest for 30 minutes at room temperature to begin the infusion process.
3. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, allowing the fruit flavors to fully develop and meld with the wine mixture.
4. When ready to serve, add ginger ale slowly to preserve bubbles. The carbonation adds a refreshing lift to the rich fruit flavors.
5. Fill glasses with ice and pour sangria over, making sure each glass gets plenty of fruit. Garnish with fresh orange slices for an attractive presentation.
05. Sunset Mixed Berry Sangria
Stunning rosé sangria with vodka and mixed citrus fruits. The beautiful color and bold flavors make this perfect for barbecues and outdoor entertaining.
Ingredients: 1 bottle rosé wine, ½ cup vodka, ¼ cup triple sec, 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks, 1 lemon (sliced), 2 limes (sliced), 1 orange (sliced), 1 cup fresh raspberries, ice cubes.
How To Make Sunset Mixed Berry Sangria
1. Pour rosé wine into a large pitcher and add vodka and triple sec. This combination creates a stronger sangria with more complex flavors than wine alone.
2. Add all the sliced citrus fruits – lemon, lime, and orange. Press them lightly with a muddler to release some oils from the peels without making the drink bitter.
3. Fold in pineapple chunks and raspberries gently to avoid crushing the delicate berries. The pineapple adds tropical sweetness while raspberries provide tartness.
4. Chill for at least 2 hours, though overnight is even better for maximum flavor development.
5. Serve over ice in large glasses, ensuring each portion includes a variety of fruits. The beautiful sunset colors make this as visually appealing as it is delicious.
06. Fresh Watermelon Summer Sangria
Refreshing watermelon sangria with white wine and vodka. This hydrating summer drink combines sweet watermelon with citrus for the perfect hot-weather refresher.
Ingredients: 1 bottle dry white wine, ½ cup vodka, ¼ cup triple sec, 3 cups cubed watermelon, 2 limes (sliced), 1 orange (sliced), ½ cup fresh blueberries, ice cubes.
How To Make Fresh Watermelon Summer Sangria
1. Muddle half the watermelon cubes in the bottom of your pitcher to release juice and create a flavorful base. Don’t pulverize completely – you want some texture remaining.
2. Add white wine, vodka, and triple sec to the muddled watermelon. Stir well to combine all the alcohol with the fresh watermelon juice.
3. Add remaining watermelon cubes, lime slices, orange slices, and blueberries. The combination of fruits creates beautiful colors and complementary flavors.
4. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours to allow flavors to meld and the watermelon to further infuse the wine.
5. Serve in glasses filled with ice, making sure to include watermelon pieces and berries in each serving for the full experience.
07. Traditional Red Wine Sangria
Classic Spanish-style red sangria with brandy and fresh citrus. This time-tested recipe delivers authentic flavors that have made sangria famous worldwide.
Ingredients: 1 bottle dry red wine, ½ cup brandy, ¼ cup triple sec, ½ cup orange juice, 2 oranges (sliced), 2 lemons (sliced), 2 limes (sliced), 2 cups carbonated water, ice cubes.
How To Make Traditional Red Wine Sangria
1. Combine red wine, brandy, and triple sec in a large pitcher. This classic base provides the perfect balance of wine and spirits that defines authentic sangria.
2. Add orange juice and stir well. The juice adds natural sweetness and enhances the citrus flavors that will come from the fresh fruit.
3. Add all sliced citrus fruits to the pitcher, pressing them slightly to release oils and juices. The combination of orange, lemon, and lime creates complex citrus notes.
4. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Traditional sangria benefits from long steeping time to develop deep, rich flavors.
5. Just before serving, add carbonated water for effervescence. Serve over ice with plenty of fruit in each glass.
08. Watermelon Rosé Garden Sangria
Elegant rosé sangria featuring watermelon, berries, and cucumber sparkling water. This sophisticated version includes vermouth and honey for added complexity.
Ingredients: 1 bottle rosé wine, ¼ cup dry vermouth, 2 cups cubed watermelon, 1 cup mixed berries, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 cups cucumber sparkling water, fresh mint for garnish.
How To Make Watermelon Rosé Garden Sangria
1. Warm honey slightly in microwave for 10 seconds, then stir into rosé wine until completely dissolved. This ensures even sweetness throughout the sangria.
2. Add dry vermouth to the sweetened wine. The vermouth adds herbal complexity that elevates this sangria beyond typical fruit-forward versions.
3. Fold in watermelon cubes and mixed berries gently. Choose a variety of berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries for color and flavor diversity.
4. Chill the mixture for at least 2 hours to allow the fruit to macerate and flavors to marry.
5. Add cucumber sparkling water just before serving to maintain carbonation. Garnish each glass with fresh mint for an aromatic finish.
09. Frozen Berry Sangria Slushie
Refreshing frozen sangria made with red wine and mixed berries. This icy treat transforms traditional sangria into a cooling summer dessert drink.
Ingredients: 1 bottle red wine, ½ cup orange liqueur, 2 cups frozen mixed berries, 1 orange (peeled and segmented), 2 cups ice cubes, 2 tablespoons sugar (optional).
How To Make Frozen Berry Sangria Slushie
1. Pour red wine and orange liqueur into a blender. Using a good quality red wine ensures your slushie maintains rich, complex flavors even when frozen.
2. Add frozen berries and orange segments to the blender. Frozen fruit helps create the perfect slushie consistency while adding intense fruit flavors.
3. Add ice cubes gradually while blending on high speed until you achieve a smooth, slushie-like consistency. Taste and add sugar if needed for sweetness.
4. Blend until completely smooth but still thick enough to hold its shape when poured.
5. Serve immediately in chilled glasses, garnishing with fresh berries or orange slices. This frozen treat is best enjoyed right after blending for optimal texture.
10. Authentic Spanish Red Sangria
Simple Spanish sangria with rum and citrus fruits. This authentic recipe focuses on quality ingredients and proper technique for traditional results.
Ingredients: 1 bottle Spanish red wine, ½ cup dark rum, 2 lemons (sliced), 2 limes (sliced), 2 oranges (sliced), 2 tablespoons sugar, ice cubes, orange slices for garnish.
How To Make Authentic Spanish Red Sangria
1. Dissolve sugar in a small amount of wine by stirring vigorously. This creates a simple syrup base that distributes sweetness evenly throughout the sangria.
2. Pour remaining wine and rum into a large pitcher, then add the sweetened wine mixture. Dark rum adds depth and warmth that complements red wine beautifully.
3. Add all sliced citrus fruits, pressing them gently to release oils and juices. The key is extracting flavor without making the drink bitter from over-muddling.
4. Let the sangria rest at room temperature for 1 hour, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving.
5. Serve over ice with generous amounts of fruit in each glass. Garnish with fresh orange slices for authentic Spanish presentation.
11. White Peach Lemonade Sangria
Sweet white sangria combining peach vodka with lemonade and fresh fruit. This easy-drinking version disappears quickly at parties and gatherings.
Ingredients: 1 bottle dry white wine, ½ cup peach vodka, 1 cup prepared lemonade, 3 white peaches (sliced), 2 cups green grapes (halved), ice cubes, lemon slices for garnish.
How To Make White Peach Lemonade Sangria
1. Combine white wine and peach vodka in a large pitcher. The vodka intensifies the peach flavors while adding extra kick to this refreshing sangria.
2. Add lemonade slowly while stirring to maintain some carbonation if using sparkling lemonade. Regular lemonade works perfectly too for a still version.
3. Fold in sliced white peaches and halved grapes carefully to avoid crushing the delicate fruit. White peaches offer subtle sweetness that pairs beautifully with crisp white wine.
4. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, allowing the fruit to release its natural juices into the wine mixture.
5. Serve in wine glasses over ice, ensuring each serving includes both peaches and grapes. Garnish with lemon slices for extra citrus brightness and visual appeal.
12. Professional Bartender’s Red Sangria
Expert-level red sangria with professional techniques and premium ingredients. This recipe incorporates bartender secrets for restaurant-quality results at home.
Ingredients: 1 bottle quality red wine, ½ cup Spanish brandy, 2 oranges (sliced), 2 lemons (sliced), 2 limes (sliced), 2 apples (diced), ½ cup maraschino cherries, 1 cup pineapple chunks, 3 tablespoons sugar.
How To Make Professional Bartender’s Red Sangria
1. Macerate diced apples with sugar for 15 minutes before adding to wine. This professional technique draws out apple juices and creates natural sweetness throughout the drink.
2. Pour red wine and Spanish brandy into pitcher, then add the sugared apples with their accumulated juices. Quality brandy makes a noticeable difference in the final flavor.
3. Add all citrus slices, pressing them firmly to release oils from the peels. Professional bartenders know that citrus oils add complexity beyond just the juice.
4. Fold in maraschino cherries and pineapple chunks. These additions provide sweetness and visual appeal that distinguish professional sangria from homemade versions.
5. Refrigerate overnight for optimal flavor development. Professional sangria always benefits from extended steeping time.
6. Serve over fresh ice in large wine glasses, ensuring each portion includes a variety of fruits for the complete professional experience.
Final Thoughts
These sangria recipes prove that summer entertaining can be both delicious and effortless. Each version offers unique flavors while maintaining the refreshing spirit that makes sangria perfect for warm weather.
Whether you prefer classic red wine versions or creative frozen variations, these recipes will help you create memorable drinks for any gathering.
