Easy Red Wine Sangria

Today, we’re talking sangria. I think what I love most about sangria recipes is that they’re so versatile. One of the last recipes I shared was this Peach Sangria with white wine. Also crazy good! But I’d venture to say that I’m more of a red girl at heart, which is why I can’t wait for you to try this easy red wine sangria.

This sangria recipe is loaded with fresh strawberries and peaches, with a generous amount of fresh citrus slices, plus a splash of orange liqueur. It’s like a taste of summer wrapped up into a delicious pitcher cocktail! Top your sangria with seltzer and serve it over ice for a cool and refreshing, boozy treat all season long.

Why You’ll Love This Sangria Recipe 

One of my first indulgences after our daughter was born was this refreshing red wine sangria. It’s quickly become a summer staple! Here’s why you need this easy sangria recipe in your life:

• Flavorful and refreshing. This is a fun spin on a traditional red wine sangria that I’ve doctored up with summery favorites, like Grand Marnier, strawberries, and peaches. It’s full of flavor with just the right balance of fruit, booze, and fizz.
• Flexible. There’s so much variety when it comes to making sangria. You can add just about any fruit you’d like, and change up the liquors and mix-ins to suit. 
• Make-ahead friendly. This recipe is easy to make a day or two ahead of time. In fact, it’s actually better if you let your sangria soak overnight! It’s how they make traditional sangria and it really helps marry the flavors together. It also makes it the best cocktail for summer parties.

What You’ll Need

A classic sangria (like the kind you’ll find in Spain) is made with red wine, liquor, sugar, and assorted fruit. It marinades overnight to really enhance the flavor. It’s flipping delicious. I’ve put a fresh summer spin on these classic ingredients, which I outline below. Make sure to check out the recipe card below the post for the full recipe details!

• Citrus – I use fresh slices of orange and lime. Lemon would be just as zesty and delicious. 
• Fresh Fruit – I add fresh summer fruits like strawberries and peaches to this red wine sangria, but it’s easy to adapt this recipe with any fruit that’s in season. See the tips section later on for more ideas.
• Agave – Agave nectar is my go-to for naturally sweetening this sangria. Honey is another good option, or you can use regular sugar.
• Grand Marnier – While classic sangria is mixed with brandy, I love the fresh citrus twist that comes from Grand Marnier. It’s a cognac-based orange liqueur, with flavors of bitter orange and a hint of sweetness. 
• Red Wine – The best red wine for sangria is a dry red. Traditionally, sangria is made with Tempranillo or Garnacha, which are both bold Spanish varietals. I make mine with my favorite Cab Sauv. For a more fruit-forward sangria, use a lighter red, like Pinot Noir. 
• Seltzer – Or club soda, for a bit of fizz. If you’d prefer a sweeter flavor, you can top your sangria with sparkling apple juice, lemon-lime soda, ginger ale, or flavored sparkling water.

How to Make a Red Wine Sangria

It’s so easy! Sangria is one of those homemade cocktail recipes that you can whip together for your next party without having to fuss over it. 

1. Combine the ingredients. Add your fruit, sweetener, liqueur, and red wine to a large pitcher and give the mixture a stir. Leave out the seltzer for now, as you’ll only add the bubbles just before serving. 
2. Chill. Cover the top of the pitcher and pop it into the fridge for at least 4 hours. Even better, leave it in there overnight! 
3. Serve. When you’re ready to serve, stir in seltzer or club soda. Pour your red sangria over ice and garnish with more fruit if you’d like.

Tips for the Best Sangria

Once you’ve made a batch of this red wine sangria, there’s no going back to boring cocktails this summer. It’s a very flexible recipe with a lot of wiggle room for easy variations. Here are some final tips for making a homemade sangria that the whole party will love:

• Use a decent-quality wine. The wine you choose doesn’t have to be expensive, but it should be one that you’d enjoy drinking on its own. If you’d prefer to make this recipe without red wine, try a dry white, like Pinot Grigio, or your favorite rosé.
• Substitute the orange liqueur. Substitute Grand Marnier in this recipe with another orange liqueur like Cointreau or Triple Sec. If you’d like to keep things more traditional, you can replace orange liqueur with brandy or cognac.
• Change up the fruit you use. I mentioned it earlier, but you can easily customize this sangria with your choice of fruit. Other good fruits for sangria are apples, cherries, pineapple, plums, blueberries, and raspberries.
• Chill sangria before serving. Make sure that you budget enough time for the sangria to chill for at least 4 hours in the fridge, if not overnight before you serve it. This lets the flavors come together and also soak into the fruit. 
• On that note, don’t throw out the fruit that’s been soaking. It’s fine to leave it in the sangria when serving. It’s honestly my favorite part. Gimme all the wine-soaked strawberries!

What to Serve with Red Wine Sangria

Sangria is the best way to get a shindig started in the summertime. Since you can make it ahead, there’s no need to stand around mixing cocktails while you’re trying to entertain! I love serving up a pitcher of red sangria upon arrival, alongside light finger foods like my Crab Stuffed Mushrooms and spicy Cajun Shrimp Sweet Potato Bites.

An ice-cold glass of red wine sangria is also great with easy summer appetizers like Avocado Bruschetta topped with fresh summer tomatoes and herbs, and Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries for dipping. For a seafood pairing, try my Sonora Style Ceviche.

It’s also my ladies’ night drink of choice paired with healthy snacks like Homemade Pita Chips dipped in Roasted Garlic Hummus.

Can I Make Sangria in Advance?

Yes, and it’s best if you do! Traditional sangria recipes call for soaking the ingredients overnight, to really round out the flavors. To make your sangria ahead, simply combine the ingredients in a pitcher as directed, leaving out the seltzer or club soda for now. You want to save the bubbles until just before serving so that they don’t go flat. Then, place the sangria in the fridge, up to 2 days in advance. When you’re ready to serve, top the pitcher with seltzer, stir, and then pour over ice. Cheers!

More Sangria Recipes to Try

• White Wine Sangria
• Christmas Sangria
• Thanksgiving Sangria
• Frozen Raspberry Sangria
• Strawberry Jalapeño White Sangria