Red Sangria (includes Mocktail version)

Red Sangria is a fruity, sweet, and tropical wine punch made with dry red wine, usually Spanish, and orange juice. This citrusy summer inspired drink is infused with brandy, grenadine and fresh raspberries! The mocktail version includes raspberry and orange juice.

Don't repeat my mistake of buying a pre-mix sangria from a grocery or a liquer store - I never had good luck with those. Instead, I make it myself; it's fantastic if done properly and I will show you how to make it right way every time.

How to make Red Sangria

Prepare a large pitcher (at least 10 cups)/ Cut the orange and limes into thin slices and add them into the pitcher. Add in the raspberries (you can use frozen raspberries instead of fresh) and then pour in the red wine, orange juice, raspberry juice, and grenadine. Add in the mint leaves. Mix well with a long spoon and top off with ice.

What kind of red wine should I use

Tradition tells us to use dry red wine made in Spain, however I found that any dry red wine, from pinot noir to cabernet sauvignon and everything in between, will do.

Sangria is awfully close to hot mulled wine, but served cold, on ice and wildly popular during summer time. So close that I'd be very surprised if they aren't just regional versions of each other.

Tips for success

The fruit combination matters but is flexible - you can follow my general guideline in the recipe and use raspberries, lemon slices and oranges.

Refrigerate red sangria overnight - Once you combine fruit, mint, wine, and liquor into a large pitcher, place in refrigerator over night (or at minimum 6 hours). The most important part of sangria is timing: letting it soak over night and not cutting it with soda till directly before the drinks are served.

Use sparkling water - Next to the serving bowl, put out the sparkling or tonic water, ginger ale, sprite, ice, and garnish (any extra strawberries or mint). This allows people to decide whether to cut the sangria with more soda and what type of soda they want.

How to make Sangria Mocktail

If you are feeling like making non-alcoholic version of this simply add your favorite non-alcoholic red wine. You can use any non-alcoholic red wine for booze free effect or even cranberry or raspberry juice. Below are the exact measurements.

2 cups raspberry juice (or cran-raspberry juice) and 1 cup orange juice
1 bottle of non-alcoholic red wine (any variety will work)
3 ounces grenadine
Sparkling water and ice

Pour in the red wine, orange juice, raspberry juice, and grenadine. Add in the mint
leaves. Mix well with a long spoon and top off with ice.
In your favorite glass, fill ½ to ¾ full of ice, then fill the glass ¾ full with sangria. Then
top off with the sparkling water. And your new favorite summer drink is ready to
enjoy!

Variations & Substitutions

• If you want to make Sangria different every time, there are plenty of ways to do so.
• To make it more citrusy - Add freshly squeezed orange juice (use actual oranges) and ½ cup of Grand Marinier.
• To make it more refreshing - Try lemon juice (use freshly squeezed lemon).
• To make it more fruity - Use Welch's sparkling non-alcoholic red juice or use a combo of apple and cranberry juice.
• To make it more boozy - Add an extra cup of brandy!
• If you like a sweeter flavor, once the sangria is poured in to individual glasses, try adding a splash more grenadine. But be careful because it's really sweet (dilute with more red wine if you added too much)! You could also use 7-UP or Sprite instead of soda water to have a sweeter flavor. 
• If you are wanting more of a spritzer taste, fill half your glass of the sangria and fill the rest with sparkling water. 
• If you want deeper color and flavor -And if you can find it , add a splash of raspberry liquor (Chambord), or pomegranate juice for even deeper flavor and color!

Storage instructions

• Make ahead - Make the night before to let all the flavors melt together and put in the fridge overnight.  
• Storage - Can be stored in the fridge in an air tight container for 2-4 days.  
• Freeze - If you want to freeze the Sangria, make sure you strain out the fruit first and put in an air tight container and freeze up to 3 months. 

More delicious drink recipes

White Sangria with Apples

Blood Orange Margarita

Passion Fruit Margarita

Apple Cider Hot Toddy