How to Make Sangria With Red Wine

Sangria is a no-brainer when it comes to cocktail parties. It’s festive, easy to make, and fit for a crowd. In fact, Ree Drummond loves making sangria for all celebrations, especially in the summer. “All you need is a pitcher of sangria to make it a party,” Ree says. Knowing how to make sangria means you’ll always be prepared for a gathering with friends—whether it’s a book club get together, an afternoon pool party, or a backyard dinner. If you’re new to sangria, this classic red sangria is a great place to start. It’s light, refreshing, and summery—but the best part about sangria is that it can be totally customizable based on the time of year and your preferences. Sangria is basically a wine punch that’s made with fruit. You can use red, white, or rosé wine. Throw in whatever fruit you like best, add a splash of sweetener, or top it off with seltzer for a fizzy variation. Try a cranberry-packed winter sangria for Christmas or a watermelon sangria for Fourth of July.

What's the best wine for sangria?

Sangria is often associated with Spain, so a Spanish red wine (like Tempranillo or Grenache) would make the most sense here (but you can also use a Merlot or Beaujolais). The important thing to note when picking out the best red wine for sangria is that you don’t want anything too sweet. You’ll be adding fruit juice and fresh fruit to the cocktail, so there’s already plenty of sweetness. You also don’t need to pick anything too expensive—choose an inexpensive wine that you would enjoy on its own. The best wine for sangria is one that’s light to medium bodied, fruit forward, and low in tannins (the compound that makes wine taste bitter).

What kind of fruit is used in sangria?

One reason why sangria is such a fun cocktail is that it also makes a great snack! You have your wine and your fruit all in one glass. This red wine sangria uses some classic fruits (like apples and oranges) that add bright, citrusy flavors to the wine. Then, depending on the time of year, add seasonal fruits, like fresh berries, peaches, or plums in the summer. Looking for a tropical twist? Add mango or pineapple chunks. On cooler nights, try a winter sangria with blood oranges, cranberries, or pomegranate seeds.

What's the best way to make red sangria?

Good sangria comes to those who wait. While this recipe is super easy to make, it does require a little bit of time and patience. Let the sangria soak with the fruit for at least 8 hours for the flavors to come together. You’ll notice that there aren't any extra sweeteners besides the fruit and fruit juice in this recipe. We love the natural sweetness that pineapple and orange juice add to sangria (mango and pomegranate juice would work nicely, too). If you like your sangria even sweeter, you can add simple syrup, agave, honey, or even maple syrup to taste. For an extra boost of flavor (and booze), add a shot of fruity liqueur, such as brandy, Grand Marnier or triple sec, or use whatever hard liquor is your favorite to drink (bourbon, vodka, and so on).