Liven up any Holiday party with this intoxicating Red Sangria Recipe crafted from medium-bodied dry red wine, brandy, and a vibrant medley of fresh-squeezed oranges, lemons, and limes. A splash of ginger ale tops the drink with a bit of effervescence. But the supreme delight is the wine-saturated fruit at the bottom of your cocktail glass.
Though sangria is often associated with Summer, this recipe with its vibrant red hue evokes the festive spirit of the season. As a result, it makes a delightful addition to any holiday gathering. This cheery Red Sangria is a surefire way to impress your guests. Grab the recipe today and don't miss out on serving it up at your next gathering.
If you're looking for another tasty sangria that is perfect for the Fall season, check out my Bourbon Apple Cider Sangria. It's really like Autumn in a glass. A few other Apple Cider cocktails that are worth mentioning are Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail and my Spiked Warm Apple Cider. I can't leave out the most delicious Eggnog you've ever tasted though - Homemade Spiked Eggnog. It's a must for your Holiday parties.
What is Sangria and what is it made of?
Sangria is considered a Spanish wine punch and consists of red or white wine, Brandy, Rum or Vermouth, seasonal chopped fruit, and a type of sweetener. Some will add a splash of sparkling soda to give it a bubbly effect. Originally Sangria was made with red wine and comes from the word "sangre" which means blood in Spanish. This is due to its dark red color. Interestingly enough though, this is not what locals normally order from bars when they're out. It's a touristy thing that visitors order when they're vacationing in Spain.
This cocktail blends sweet and fruity with a dry red wine to create a delicious and refreshing drink. If you're looking for more "sweet and fruity" cocktails, be sure to explore The Kitchen Community link for an array of fantastic recipes.
Ingredients You Will Need to Make this Red Sangria Recipe
- Citrusy Fruit. This adds a sweet and tart complexity to this Red Sangria. Freshly squeezed orange, lemon, and lime quarters infuse the wine with its vibrant flavors.
- Sweetener - I chose granulated sugar for this recipe, but you could use honey, agave, or maple syrup.
- Dry "Medium-Bodied" Red Wine - A Spanish wine like Rioja or Tempranillo fits the description well. , full-bodied description. But the truth is you can grab a bottle of Pinot Noir or Zinfandel.
- Brandy - This is the most traditional liquor used in Sangria but you can use rum or a sweet Vermouth. If you would rather it not be so boozy, then you can leave out the additional liquor.
- Triple Sec - I included this liqueur because I love the sweet orange flavor it brings and for the extra boozy kick it gives.
- Ginger Ale or Club Soda - This adds a refreshing fizz to this sangria. For a less sweet cocktail, opt for club soda or use ginger ale but reduce the amount of sugar.
- Small Chunks of Fruit - These are for garnishing the pitcher and glasses, adding a pop of color to the deep red sangria. I chose red apples, oranges, lemons, and limes. I wanted a variety of colors peeking out of the deep red wine color. Green apples would be perfect as well.
How to Make Red Sangria
- Add oranges, lemons, and limes into a large pitcher. Quarter and squeeze four oranges, two lemons, and one lime into a pitcher. Add fruit rind and all.
- This original fruit enhances the flavor overnight, but it should be removed before serving, as it no longer adds any benefit and can become unsightly. Instead, garnish with the fresh chunks of fruit when serving.
- Sprinkle granulated sugar over the fruit. Stir with a long wooden spoon until the sugar is somewhat dissolved in the juice.
- Add the bottle of Medium-Bodied Red Wine, Brandy, and Triple Sec to the pitcher. Continue to stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Chill in the refrigerator overnight. This gives the opportunity for the fruit to infuse the wine and fully mix in the fruit juices to sweeten the drink.
- Serve the Red Wine Sangria with a splash of ginger ale and newly chopped fruit. Not only does the fruit make for a pretty presentation but the alcohol-soaked fruit is an additional prize at the end of the drink.
What is the best Wine for Red Sangria?
The best wine for sangria is a medium-bodied, fruity red wine. Some good options include:
- Tempranillo. A Spanish wine that is known for its juicy red fruit flavors, like raspberries and strawberries.
- Rioja. It is also a Spanish wine that can be aged for several years, which gives them more complex flavors.
- Pinot Noir. This red grape is known for its delicate flavors of red fruits, like cherries and raspberries, and flowers, like violets and roses.
- Zinfandel. This American grape can produce a variety of wines, from light and fruity to bold and spicy. For sangria, choose a Zinfandel with red fruit flavors.
Sangria Variations?
Summertime Berry Sangria. White Wine Sangrias are a perfect warm-weather drink and are light and refreshing. Add in some fresh peaches, cherries, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and/or raspberries which add a beautiful touch to the white wine.
Apple Cider Sangria. An Apple Cider Sangria brings in all the flavors of Fall with fresh cider, bourbon, cinnamon sticks, star anise, apples, and pears.
Holiday Sangria. Red Wine is best for a festive Holiday Sangria because of its bright color. The recipe found in this post is perfect for your Thanksgiving or Christmas cocktail. You could change up the garnishments with fresh cranberries and/or pomegranate seeds if you like. To give it some spice, add in star anise, and cinnamon sticks while it's sitting overnight.
Can you make this recipe for Red Wine Sangria ahead of time?
You can make this sangria recipe a day ahead of time to ease the stress of party planning and allow time for the flavors to merge into a delightful boozy concoction. Just wait to add the Ginger Ale until ready to serve, or it will lose its fiz.
People simply love to be a part of celebrations and what better time is there than the holiday season coming up? Whether it's Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, or Christmas, serve a pitcher of sangria throughout your get-together. This is where stories of past accomplishments are retold, encouragement is given, and the joy of true relationships "linger" in the moment. Your guests will feel cheered, loved, and maybe a little tipsy.
Looking for more Cocktails?
Apple Cider Sangria with Bourbon
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PrintRed Sangria Recipe with Brandy
Liven up any Holiday party with this intoxicating Red Sangria crafted from full-bodied dry red wine, brandy, and a vibrant medley of fresh-squeezed oranges, lemons, and limes. A splash of ginger ale tops the drink with a bit of effervescence. But the supreme delight is the wine-saturated fruit at the bottom of this cocktail pitcher.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 8-oz glasses 1x
- Category: Cocktails
- Method: Chilled
- Cuisine: Spanish
Ingredients
- 4 Oranges, quartered
- 2 Lemons, quartered
- 1 Lime, quartered
- 4 tablespoons Sugar
- 1 bottle of Medium-Bodied Red Wine
- 6 oz of Brandy
- 6 oz Triple Sec
- 2 cups Ginger Ale, chilled
- Cut Up Small Chunks of Apples, Oranges, Lemon and Lime (for garnishment in glasses)
Instructions
- Squeeze the 4 quartered oranges, 2 quartered lemons, and 1 quartered lime into a large pitcher and add the rinds.
- Sprinkle 4 tablespoons sugar over the fruit.
- Add the bottle of red wine, 6 ounces of brandy, and 6 ounces of triple sec.
- Stir until sugar is dissolved.
- Let set overnight in the refrigerator.
- When ready to serve, add 2 cups chilled ginger ale.
- Pour into individual glasses and add the chunks of fresh fruit.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- This recipe calls for sugar to be added. But if you prefer a sangria that is less sweet, you can leave it out. It is good either way.
- Great wines to use for this sangria are Spanish wines like Rioja or Tempranillo.
- This recipe can be made a day ahead of time which is perfect when planning for a party. Just wait to add the Ginger Ale until ready to serve, or it will lose its fiz.
- This original fruit enhances the flavor overnight, but it should be removed before serving, as it no longer adds any benefit and can become unsightly. Instead, garnish with the fresh chunks of fruit when serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 oz glass
- Calories: 313
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 9 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Dorinda young says
Thanks for sharing. I intend to make a pitcher of sangria real soon .
Kristy Murray says
Thanks, Dorinda. Hope you enjoy! Have an extra glass for me.
Eric says
Sangria with Brandy - now that's the way to go! I need one of these this weekend.
Shsron says
I canβt wait to make this sangria! It looks delicious!
Kristy Murray says
Thanks so much Sharon! Hope you love it when you make it. Would love to know what you think. Thanks for stopping by my site.
mimi rippee says
Wow. I'm so impressed! I'd love to hike that trail, but I'm probably running out of time. I can hike, but we have too many undiscovered destinations on our list stilll... This sangria is gorgeous. The ginger ale is interesting. I typically top mine off with fresca, for a little zing and lots of bubbly. Can't wait to try the GA!
Kristy Murray says
Mimi, thank you! And I so agree. So many beautiful and adventurous places in the world and so little time. I love the idea of fresca! I'll have to try that with this recipe. Thanks for the tip.
Tricia says
Iβm making this today for us to enjoy tomorrow for Christmas Eve. Iβm not a fan of ginger ale so I will use sprite instead.
Kristy Murray says
Hi Tricia! I love that you made this Sangria for Christmas Eve. It is one of my favorite holiday cocktail recipes. Also - I'm sure the sprite worked great as well. Thanks for stopping by my site and leaving a comment. Merry (belated) Christmas.
Tricia says
Kristy,
Your recipe was a hit! I used Robert Mondavi Merlot wine and followed your recipe exactly other than the ginger ale. I quintapled the recipe so it was a little scary putting so much brandy and triple sec but after adding the Sprite it wasnβt alcoholy at all. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Kristy Murray says
Tricia, I'm so thrilled that the Sangria was a hit! And thanks for your input about the Sprite as well. Hope you have a wonderful New Year!!
Alic says
How much ginger ale poured in the sangria once poured into the glass?
Kristy Murray says
Hi Alic - if you're wanting to pour the ginger ale directly into the individual glasses themselves, 1/3-1/2 cup would be what I would add to each glass. This recipe makes about 8 servings. Normally I just add the ginger ale to the whole pitcher.
Neil says
I think Sangria is great. I find it very refreshing on a hot day. Or is that just an excuse? Ha ha! Anyway this could be just the thing for Christmas Eve! Love how you hiked 500 miles in Spain. You would love hiking in Scotland!
David @ Spiced says
Wow, I can't believe you hiked the entire Camino de Santiago! Much impressed for sure. And I can see how the promise of a good glass of sangria would keep your weary feet moving forward. On a side note, I didn't realize that sangria is more of a tourist drink in Spain. Interesting. Either way, it's a classic celebration drink, and I really like your tip of replacing the old fruit so that the version you serve looks nice. Thanks for sharing, and cheers!!
Jeff the Chef @ Make It Like a Man! says
I love sangria, and i'm very fond of additions to it like gingerale. Thanks for the recipe!
Kristy Murray says
Thanks so much, Jeff, for taking time to stop by and leave a comment.
Sharon Rigsby says
Kristy, your photos are stunning! I plan to serve this for Thanksgiving and Christmas, too! I love sangria and can't wait to try this!
Kristy Murray says
Thanks so much Sharon. Happy Holidays this year.