Red Wine Sangria

Red wine sangria is my favorite boozy beverage to enjoy. If you aren't familiar with sangria, it's an alcoholic, red wine cocktail that's full of fruit and often categorized as a punch. It originates in Spain, and traditionally contains red wine, fruit, and spirits. I enjoy it year round, but it's especially refreshing in the hot summer months. It pairs well with almost anything but is especially good with tapas, barbecue, grilled fish, or tex-mex.

The Wine

My favorite wine to use in this sangria is Rioja by Campo Viejo. It's slightly sweet with subtle flavors of ripe red fruit, and sells for about $10 per bottle in my area. I've used other spanish reds and merlot to make this with delicious results. Choose a wine that's fruity and slightly dry for the best flavor. This is also a great way to use up any wine you might have on hand that you aren't particularly crazy about. A bottle of red that may not be to your liking is easily transformed to something delightful with the addition of fresh fruit and a splash of spirits.

The Spirits

There are many different variations of sangria, but traditional recipes usually contain brandy. Rum can also be used, and while I've tried tequila in sangria a time or two I wouldn't recommend it. My preference is to use brandy as the recipe is written, which adds a subtle sweetness and a bit of oaky flavor.

The Fruit

Traditional sangria usually uses some fruit combination that includes apples and oranges. I've found that almost any combination works wonderfully, but since it's currently summer I'm using fresh berries that are in season. Feel free to substitute the berries in this recipe for ½ of an apple and ½ an orange for equally tasty results.

The Pitcher

If you're making this sangria for guests, I recommend mixing it in a glass pitcher that's slightly decorative. A basic glass pitcher like this one works well, or something with a bit of a design like this. A pitcher that holds 40 ounces is a good size to give plenty of room for muddling and mixing. If I'm making this at home for just me, I use this pitcher because it has a lid and keeps the sangria fresh for a couple of days.

A Red Wine Sangria With Less Sugar

If you're looking for a sangria option with less sugar, you can substitute the sugar with stevia. I've made this using both powdered and liquid stevia with good results. You'll need to check the conversion recommendations on your specific stevia, since sweetness varies between brands. You can also try using a lower alcohol wine that contains less carbohydrates.

You may also like my Keto Margarita!