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 1/2 of an apple and 1/2 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.
The Best Red Wine Sangria
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sliced strawberries
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 4 tbsp sugar
- 3/4 cup orange juice
- 1/3 cup brandy rum can also be used
- 750 ml dry red wine preferably Rioja
- ice to chill
Instructions
- In a large pitcher, muddle your berries and sugar for about a minute. If you don't have a muddler you can use a wooden spoon.
- Add the orange juice and your brandy (or rum) and mix it for another minute. This helps the sugar dissolve.
- Add in your red wine and stir well.
- Pour over ice, and garnish with more fruit if you'd like.
Notes
Nutrition
Did you make this Red Wine Sangria?
Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @milkfreemom on Instagram and hashtag it #milkfreemom. Don’t forget to pin it for later!
You may also like my Keto Margarita.
