Fruity Spanish Sangria

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This easy fruity Spanish sangria is perfect for a summer party!

Spanish sangria is Spain’s most famous alcoholic drink, and for good reason. It’s fruity, refreshing, and easy to make!

This recipe features all of the traditional ingredients: red wine, brandy, orange juice, lemon juice, and soda water.

It takes just a few minutes to make, and is refreshing and delicious.

I like to use a mix of different fruits, including apples, oranges, lemons, and limes.

You can really use any combination of fruits that you like.

The important thing is to let the fruit soak in the wine for at least an hour so that it has time to infuse the sangria with its flavor.

My secret is making it the night before so that it has even more time to develop its flavor.

This sangria recipe is great for making in big batches, making it the perfect cocktail for your holiday parties.

A wine glass of Spanish sangria with citrus fruits on a a dark background.

The History of Sangria

The Origen of Sangria

Sangria has a long and colorful history. It is believed to have originated in the Middle East, and was brought to Spain by the Moors in the 8th century.

It was originally made with red wine, water, lemon juice, sugar, and spices.

Over time, additional ingredients were added, including brandy, orange juice, and soda water.

Sangria became popular in the United States in the 1960s, when Spanish immigrants began opening restaurants and bars.

It has since become a staple at parties and barbecues across the country.

Ingredients for Fruity Spanish Sangria

  • Red wine:  I like to use a Spanish red wine for this recipe, but any type of red wine will work. Just make sure is a wine you like to drink, as it will be the dominant flavor in the sangria.
  • Orange juice: Fresh-squeezed orange juice is best, but you can also use store-bought orange juice. This is a must have ingredient for a classic Spanish sangria.
  • Lemon juice: I like to use fresh-squeezed lemon juice, but you can also use store-bought lemon juice. This adds a tartness to the sangria that is essential. This is another must have ingredient for the perfect traditional sangria.
  • Brandy: This is a traditional ingredient in Spanish sangria. It adds a warmth and depth of flavor to the drink. If you do not have brandy an orange liquor such as cointreau or triple sec will work just as well.
  • Soda water: This is added at the end and gives the sangria a refreshing fizziness. You can also use sparkling water or club soda. This is an optional step, but I think it really makes the sangria light and refreshing.
  • Fruits: I like to use a mix of apples, oranges, lemons, and limes. You can really use any combination of fruits that you like. The important thing is to let the fruit soak in the wine for at least an hour so that it has time to infuse the sangria with its flavor.
  • Sugar: This is optional, but I like to add a little bit of sugar to balance out the tartness of the lemon juice. I like to use a simple syrup to sweeten my sangria. You can really use any type of sugar you like, or even leave it out altogether if you don’t want it to be too sweet.
  • Spices: I like to add a few cinnamon sticks and whole cloves to my sangria. This is completely optional, but I think it adds a nice wintery flavor to the drink. Be careful with cloves this little guys can be very intense.
A glass pitcher of Spanish sangria with citrus fruits on a gray background.

Directions to Make The Traditional Spanish Sangria

1. Prep the fruits: Start by chopping up the fruits into small pieces. I like to use a mix of apples, oranges, lemons, and limes. I slice all my fruits, it just looks nicer in the glass that way.

2. Add the liquids: Add the red wine, orange juice, lemon juice, brandy, and sugar syrup to a large pitcher or jar. Make sure to taste the sangria at this point and adjust the flavors to your liking. If you want it sweeter, add more sugar syrup. If you want it more tart, add more lemon juice.

3. Add the fruits: Add the sliced up fruits to the Sangria and stir everything together. At this point when everything is tasting to my liking I add the spices cinnamon stick and 1 or 2 cloves.

4. Let it sit: Let the sangria sit for at least an hour, or even overnight if you have the time. This will allow the flavors to meld together and the fruits to infuse their flavor into the sangria.

5. Add the soda water: Just before serving, add the soda water to the sangria and give it a good stir. This will add a refreshing fizziness to the drink.

6. Serve over ice: Serve the sangria over ice and enjoy! Make sure to add some of the fruits and spices to each glass.

Tools Needed To Make Sweet Tea Sangria

  • Measuring cup
  • Pot
  • Glasses
  • Pitcher

I love sangria because it’s so easy to make and you can really make it your own.

I am always experimenting with different types of fruit and even different types of liquor.

I love this delicious sparkling wine sangria for those days that I feel like having a summery refreshing cocktail.

Side view of fruity Spanish sangria pitcher and two glasses garnished with fruits in a gray background.

How to Store Sangria Instructions

If you have leftover sangria, you can store it in the fridge for a few days.

Nothing better than making big-batch cocktails for later.

Just make sure to give it a good stir before serving each time.

You can also freeze sangria, but I find that it loses its flavor when frozen.

If you want to freeze it, I would suggest leaving out the fruits and spices so that you can add them fresh when you are ready to drink it.

The Best Type of Wine to Use in Sangria

The best type of wine to use in sangria is a fruity red wine.

I like to use a Spanish Rioja or Grenache.

You can really use any type of red wine that you like, just make sure that it is a fruity wine.

In the summer I like to make a sweet tea sangria that is out of this world.

Avoid using dry red wines as they can make the sangria too tart.

The important thing is to use a wine that you like to drink so that you will like the sangria.

Cheers!

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Side view of fruity Spanish sangria pitcher and two glasses garnished with fruits in a gray background.
Yield: 6 servings

Fruity Spanish Sangria Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

This fruity Spanish Sangria is perfect for summer gatherings! My secret is making it the night before so that it has even more time to develop its flavor.

Ingredients

  • 1 bottle red wine
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup brandy
  • 1/4 cup sugar syrup
  • 1 apple, sliced
  • 1 orange, sliced
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • 1 lime, sliced
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 clove
  • Sparkling water (optional)
  • ice cubes

Instructions

  1. I start by making the simple syrup. Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the sugar has dissolved, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and let cool.
  2. Next, combine the wine, orange juice, lemon juice, brandy, and simple syrup in a large pitcher or jar. Stir to combine well. Taste to make sure the sangria is sweet enough for your liking and add more simple syrup if necessary.
  3. Add the sliced fruit and spices to the sangria and stir.
  4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
  5. When you're ready to serve, fill glasses with ice cubes and sangria. Top off with a splash of soda water if desired.
  6. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information

Yield

6

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 204Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 12mgCarbohydrates 25gFiber 2gSugar 16gProtein 1g
Side view of traditional Spanish red sangria pitcher and four glasses garnished with fruits in a gray background.

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