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 serving 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 specific tastes. Get that pitcher out—sangria season is here to stay.

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

The ingredients for red sangria:
— 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 all of the major types of red wines is the best place to start.
— The best brandy for red sangria. When it comes to the brandy, you’ve also got options. Cognac (yes, cognac and brandy are two different things) will make things boozier, while brandy will be less spirit-forward. Check out Delish's roundup of the best wines and brandies for sangria even more recommendations.
— The best fruit for 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.

How to make red sangria:
First, you'll mix your liquids and sugar together: the wine, orange juice, brandy, and sugar. Then, stir in your prepped fruits and cinnamon sticks. I recommend cutting up your fruit ahead of time to cut down on prep, so everything is ready to go by the time you get to mixing. Then, it's time to let things chill. Place your sangria in the fridge for at least two hours, but up to overnight if possible. The longer it sits in the fridge, the more the flavors develop and the better the sangria gets.

Sangria variations:
I love this classic red sangria, but there are countless other riffs on this classic that I can’t get enough of. While this is a classic summer drink, Delish has plenty of winter sangria recipes to please your holiday crowd, from cranberry-apple sangria to sparkling apple cider sangria. If you’re more of a white wine person, then white sangria is a perfect choice, alongside green apple moscato sangria. Looking for a non-alcoholic version? This virgin cranberry basil sangria will please any crowd.

Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely—sangria is a perfect make-ahead drink to serve a crowd. Stir together all ingredients in your pitcher, and refrigerate until ready to serve. I recommend letting it sit for at least 2 hours, but you can also leave it overnight. 

Have you made this recipe? Let us know how you liked it in the comments below!