Best Sangria Recipes with Fruit, Red or White Wine, Liqueurs, Herbs

Sangria is a well known summer party beverage based on red or white wines which makes a good accompaniment with all kinds of food. Traditionally it is made with Spanish red white, which goes well with meat. You can also make a white-wine version that goes well with fish or other seafood and poultry. Sangria also contains a range of fresh fruit and it is a wonderful a refreshing summer drink. It is made from red and white wines, lots of ice and seasonal fresh fruits which can include: sweet white peaches, plums, pineapple, mandarins, oranges, melon, kiwi fruit, mangoes, apples and lots more.

Generally two or three fruits are included in any batch. Sangria can also be made with champagne and many recipes include citrus flavored sodas such as orange lemon. Sangria is very popular in summer when most of the fruits ripen, but it can be enjoyed all the year round. Below are some great recipes and ideas to get you started. One of the advantages of Sangria is that it can be prepared the day before the party or dinner gathering as the mixture of wines fruit and juices develops full flavor and smooth taste after being marinated for eight hours or more. A large variety of different wines can be used with gin, rum brandy and many different liqueur used to give extra flavor and extra kick to this homemade beverage.

Sangria is a delightful summer drink that showcases the delights of fresh fruit and wonderful wine. Learn how to make it in this guide and try the wonderful collection of recipes. Source: Public Domain

Winetours are a great way to find wonderful wines to make Sangria.

The Wine

Some people insist you should start with a light and fruity pinot noir a rose or something sweet like a moscato. But this is not necessary because the recipe includes sugar and lots of fruit. The key is to choose wine with a lot of flavour. Even the more full bodied wines such as a cabernet or shiraz. For white wines chardonnay, sauvignon blanc or virtually any wine is suitable. Again the key is distinctive flavor.

The Fruit and Fruit Juice

Generally you will need about a cup of juice for every 2 bottles of wine. Apple juice, grape juice, peach nectar, pomegranate or pineapple juice are all suitable. For the fruit just about anything will do depending on your taste preferences. The only thing that could matter is the color of the fruit. For red wine Sangria, just about any fruit is suitable, including berries, strawberries and oranges. Look for fruits that compliment the red wines you have chosen. With white wine you have to be careful with dark berries and other fruits that may discolor the Sangria or tend to bleed into the wine. Fruits like grapes, kiwi fruit, apples, mango and peaches go very well with white wine and look good. Lemons, oranges and limes are included in most Sangria no matter what type of wine you use.

Liqueurs

You can add a wide variety of all types of liqueurs to sangria to give lift. Use Cointreau or some other higher-quality fruity liqueur for flavor. You can also add gin, brandy and rum.

Flavors Herbs and Spices

Most red sangrias include cinnamon sticks. You can also added cloves. Some people add fresh chopped herbs such as mint and basil.

Marinating

Sangrias can be served straight away buy adding crushed ice. But for more consistent flavor and a smoother taste let the sangria marinate for 8 hours or overnight. This means that your Sangria can be make the day before your party and kept chilled in the fridge until needed.

Basic Red Wine Sangria Recipe

1 bottle of chilled medium quality, favorsome red wine
1/2 cup of sugar (less or more)
1 can of a lemon soda, soft drink or lemonade, or soda water
1 can of an orange soda or soft drink
3-6 pieces of various unpeeled fruits cut into chunks or wedges
1 tray of ice cubes.

Empty the bottle of red wine into a glass jug, bowl or ceramic pitcher and using a wooden spoon stir in the sugar until fully dissolved. Then add the ingredients and mix.

White Sangria Recipe

1 bottle of Cava, Champagne, Chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, or other quality wines (very cold)
1 cup of orange juice, freshly squeezed (or cranberry juice)
2 oranges cut into wedges
2 apples cut into wedges or chunks
1/2 cup of sugar
1 cup of water
About 6 cinnamon sticks
crushed ice
mint leaves

Heat the sugar, water and cinnamon sticks in a saucepan and simmer for about 5 minutes. Let the mixture cool and remove the cinnamon sticks. Chill overnight along with the wine. Before serving mix in the wine and serve over crushed ice with a mint leave in each glass.

Fruity Sangria Recipe

1 Bottle of your favorite white wine, champagne, rose (chilled)
1 Lemon, sliced into wedges
1 Orange divided into wedges
1 Lime cut into thin wedges
1 Peach sliced into bite size pieces (or diced pineapple pieces with juice)
1 cup freshly sliced strawberries
1 cup of white grapes
1/2 cup limeade, lemonade or lemon soda
2 cups ginger ale
1/2 cup Sugar (or partly replaced with honey)
2 shots of peach, apricot, or a berry flavored brandy or liqueur

Pour the wine in the container and squeeze the juice from the lime, lemon and orange into the wine. Add the fruit wedges (omitting the seeds) the sliced peaches, strawberries lemonade or other soda, sugar and brandy. Mix well to dissolve the sugar. Chill overnight. Add ginger ale and ice just before serving.

Rum Sangria Recipe

1 (750 ml) bottle rum
1 (750 ml) bottle red wine
1 large fresh orange (cut into slices or chunks)
1 fresh lime cut into slices
1 fresh lemon sliced
5 fresh kiwi fruit, thinly sliced
1 lb green grape, washed with stalks removed
1 fresh mango cut into chunks
1 lb fresh strawberries, sliced

Wash and cut the fruit into slices and small chunks - no need to peel.
Put the fruit pieces into a large jug, bowl or pitcher
Pour the rum and red wine over the fresh fruit. Thoroughly mix and stir.
Cover the container and leave in a dark cool place for at least 24 hours.
Serve the mixture by ladling into cups including the fruit with the liquid. Added ice if desired.