The idea behind sangria is simple: Take some wine and add nice things to it until you can’t resist pouring it all over ice and enjoying with friends. Of course, some recipes call for extra time in the fridge and most can be consumed by yourself.

I’ve gathered five of my favorite sangria recipes and included links to six others with an explanation of what makes each unique. Be creative, take your time, and enjoy the process. Enjoy!

1. Ginger Brunch Sangria

This sangria recipe is wonderful for early summer afternoons when the sun is hot and you’d like something refreshing and fruit-laden without too much alcohol!

Ingredients:

  • 1 Bottle of red wine
  • 1 Lemon cut into wedges
  • 1 Orange cut into wedges
  • 1 Lime cut into wedges
  • 2 Tbsp sugar
  • Splash of orange juice or lemonade
  • 2 Shots of gin or triple sec (optional)
  • 1 Cup of raspberries or strawberries (may use thawed or frozen)
  • 1 Small can of diced pineapples (with juice)
  • 4 Cups ginger ale

Preparation:

Pour wine into a large pitcher and squeeze the juice wedges from the lemon, orange and lime into the wine. Toss in the fruit wedges and pineapple then add sugar, orange juice and gin. Chill overnight. Add ginger ale, berries and ice just before serving. If you’d like to serve right away, use chilled red wine and serve over lots of ice.

Serves: 3-4

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2. White Sangria

This sangria has quite a bit more kick than the brunch sangria. Perfect for a warm evening with friends who all have safe rides home! =)

Ingredients:

  • 2 apples, cored and coarsely diced
  • 2 pears, cored and coarsely diced
  • 2 juice oranges, peeled, seeded and diced
  • 1 cup gin
  • 1/2 cup triple sec
  • 3 bottles (500 milliliters each) manzanilla sherry or 2 bottles (750 milliliters each) dry white wine
  • 1/2 bottle cava (1 1/2 cups), chilled.

Preparation:

  1. Place all fruit in a bowl with gin and triple sec. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours, or overnight.
  2. Transfer to a large pitcher and add manzanilla or white wine. Stir. Divide liquid and fruit into wine glasses, over ice if desired, until about 2/3 full. Top each with cava.

Serves: 8 to 10

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3. Mango-Peach Sangria

This complex sangria celebrates the nuance of the Viognier amidst the sweet gyrations of sweet mango and minted peaches.

Ingredients:

  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1 cup Grand Marnier
  • 1 bottle Viognier
  • 1 mango, chopped
  • 2 peaches, cut into thin wedges
  • 1/4 cup mint

Preparation:

In a saucepan, cook the sugar and water until the sugar dissolves; transfer to a pitcher and refrigerate until cold. Stir in the Grand Marnier, Viognier, mango, peaches and mint and serve over ice.

Serves: 2-3

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4. Sangria Perea

Guy Fieri swears by this sangria though I’ve found the peach brandy can take over if the lemons and limes aren’t especially juicy. As always, fresh and juicy fruit will go a long way toward making your sangria one to remember!

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups ice cubes
  • 1/4 cup lemon slices
  • 1/4 cup lime slices
  • 1/4 cup orange, slices
  • 1/4 cup pineapple chunks
  • 1/4 cup seedless grapes
  • 2 cups red wine
  • 1/2 cup peach brandy
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 1 cup lemon/lime soda

Directions:

In a pitcher, add all the ingredients and stir to combine. Ideally, you want to wait about 1 hour for the fruit and the wine to infuse each other, but you can drink it right away.

Serves: 6 rocks glasses

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5. Grapefruit Sangria

The zest of the grapefruit adds a special zing to this sangria. Use grapefruit soda in place of the ginger ale for added punch!

Ingredients:

  • 1 bottle of juicy red wine
  • 1 orange
  • 1 lime
  • 1/2 grapefruit
  • 1/2 lemon
  • 3 tablespoons Grand Marnier
  • 1-2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • Ice cubes
  • 6 ounces ginger ale

Pour the wine into a large pitcher. Wash the orange, lime, and lemon. Cut them into thin slices and add to the pitcher. Add the Grand Marnier and the sugar. Marinate for a few hours. (The sangria will taste better if you leave it overnight.)

When ready to serve, fill the pitcher with ice cubes, add the soda, and stir well. Serve with a wooden spoon in the pitcher.

Serves: 3-5

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6. Spicy Sangria – Argentinian Malbec to compliment the hot sauce!

7. Citrus Sangria – Cointreau, confectioner’s sugar, and club soda for a twist!

8. Sangria Clara – Fresh mint, sparkling apple cider, and cinnamon sticks… delicious!

9. Cranberry & Strawberry Sangria – Cloves, cranberry juice and herbal tea deliver a sensuous mix.

10. Pineapple Sangria - Pineapple, coconut rum, and ginger ale dance a tropical number!

11. Rose Sangria Spritzer- Raspberries, mint, and the mild flavor of the wine make for a wonderful sipping experience.

Do you have a sangria recipe or memory you’d like to share?