How to Make Sangria: Easy Red Sangria Recipe

Sangria is a chilled mixture of wine, macerated fresh fruit, and other flavorings, such as liqueurs and spices. The beverage originated in Spain and Portugal and has become popular as a refreshing summertime drink. Although red wine is the more traditional base ingredient, there are also white sangrias and rosé sangrias—both of which are also popular summer drinks.

Each type of sangria uses different ingredients that complement the wine base. For example, pears, apples, and other sweet stone fruits complement white wine sangria, while juicier fruits, such as cherries and pomegranates, complement rosé or red wine sangria. Ultimately, the best sangria recipe comes down to your personal preferences in terms of wine, fruit, and contrasting flavors.

The word “sangria” comes from the Spanish word “sangre,” meaning “blood.” The earliest version of Spanish sangria was a red wine drink containing water, herbs, spices, and other ingredients to improve the taste of the wine. The beverage has since evolved to include seasonal fruits, and there are now countless variations.

In Barcelona and other cities across modern-day Spain, locals and tourists drink sangria or tinto de verano, another wine-based drink that uses soda or sparkling water and a garnish of fresh fruit. For a version of sangria that’s more similar to cocktail recipes, try making Peruvian sangria, a take by mixologist Lynnette Marrero on a rustic beverage from Peru, a former Spanish territory.

A traditional sangria recipe requires only a few ingredients, with red wine as the main ingredient. Here are four red wines to consider when deciding on the best wine for your classic sangria:

1. 1. Cabernet sauvignon: This red wine is available in almost every wine-making region, making it a good choice for sangria. Cabernet sauvignon possesses bold flavors and a thick mouthfeel. It pairs well with cinnamon sticks, blackberries, pomegranates, black pepper, and cranberries. Add sparkling water or ginger ale to cabernet sauvignon sangria if you prefer yours bubbly.
2. 2. Garnacha: Also known as grenache, garnacha is an oaky wine typically possessing flavors of raspberries, strawberries, and black pepper; however, the tastes can change depending on location. A grenache from France will have smokier flavors, while a garnacha from Spain will have sweet licorice notes.
3. 3. Pinot noir: A light-bodied wine available in many wine-making regions, pinot noir is a fruity wine possessing varying levels of sweetness and acidity. Add blueberries, oranges, and club soda to pinot noir for a fizzy and refreshing pinot noir sangria. This drink will pair well with seafood, grilled foods, or vegetarian dishes.
4. 4. Rioja: A Spanish red wine, Rioja tinto uses tempranillo as its main grape, which winemakers usually blend with a number of other grapes. Rioja is a Denominación de Origen Calificada (D.O.Ca) wine named after the La Rioja province in northeast Spain, where producers make the the wine. Rioja wine contains notes of vanilla, coconut, fresh herbs, and caramel.