Skip to main content

How to make sangria everyone will love

Tips and tricks to make the best sangria

Two wine glasses with drinks and straws

Sangria is one of the easiest ways to uplevel your wine-drinking experience. Its versatility means you can use practically any wine you have at your disposal. Red, white, or even bubbly–it can all be turned into sangria.

But let’s be real here: not all sangrias hit the mark. So keep reading if you want to learn how to make sangria that will impress your friends and unlock the secrets to making great drinks for any party. 

Recommended Videos

The art of crafting the perfect sangria recipe

Multiple wine bottles sitting on surface
Timur Saglambilek / Pexels

Pick the right wine for the occasion

While you can use practically any wine at your disposal, not all wines are created equal when it comes to crafting the perfect sangria. Opt for a wine that is flavorful yet not overpowering, as the other ingredients will add their own unique elements to the mix. 

If you want a rich, full-bodied sangria, use a medium to heavy-bodied red wine. Merlot, Montepulciano, Tempranillo, or Cabernet Sauvignon are all excellent choices. The wines have enough structure and complexity to stand up to the other components without losing sight of the other ingredients.

A crisp white wine, on the other hand, is the perfect drink to pair with sangria that’s lighter–more refreshing. It’ll pair beautifully with the sweetness and acidity of the other ingredients, adding a bright, citrusy note. 

If you want to experiment with the addition of fruits and herbs, white wine sangrias may be your best option since they offer more subtle characteristics, making it easier to detect the flavors you’ve added.

Strike a balance

A great sangria needs the perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess. Sweetness is an essential element, but too much can be distracting. By adding citrus juices, honey, or fresh fruit juices, you can balance out the acidity of the wine, and add a refreshing twist that that doesn’t overpower the cocktail.

Take your time

When it comes to crafting the best sangria, patience is a virtue. Let your creation infuse for a few hours to allow the flavors to blend and intensify. If possible, let it sit in the refrigerator overnight to allow the fruits and other ingredients to work. Trust me, the wait will be well worth it when you take that first sip of your perfectly balanced sangria.

Making sangria: a step-by-step guide

Three cocktails in different wine glasses with pieces of fruit on a plate
Engin Akyurt / Pexels
  1. Choose your wine. Traditionally, sangria is made with a red wine like Rioja, Malbec, or Tempranillo. You can also use a dry white wine or rosé.
  2. Chop up fresh fruit. Common fruits used in sangria include oranges, lemons, limes, apples, peaches, berries, etc. Slice or dice the fruit into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Add the fruit to a pitcher or large bowl. Pour the wine over the fruit.
  4. Sweeten to taste. You can use sugar, honey, agave nectar, or fruit juice like orange juice or apple cider.
  5. Add your spirit. *This step is optional but can be used as an opportunity to adjust the alcohol content to suit your tastes.* For red sangria, aged spirits like brandy or rum are preferable, as they will add depth. Clear spirits like gin and vodka work better with white wine sangria. 
  6. Let the sangria steep for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours, refrigerated. This additional time allows the flavors to meld together.

One last thing to consider. A little goes a long way, so slowly add your cordial and taste along the way. Its always possible to add more, you can’t take it out. Some great choices for red sangria are Gran Marnier, or quality peach liqueur. For white sangria, try Cointreau or St. Germain for a floral finish. 

Brittney Bertagna, RN
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Brittney is a graduate of California State University, Chico, where she completed a Bachelor's degree in Business. Her…
Make it a classy weekend with these batched rum cocktails
Diplomático Planas Rum

If you're entertaining this weekend and you're looking for a selection of drinks which are both sophisticated and easy to make, then you're in luck: we have the perfect trio of recipes for that. While you might go nuts with the elaborate ingredients and obscure liqueurs when you're mixing up single cocktails for your own enjoyment and experimentation, the key to successful drinks for a group is to keep it simple.

Simple doesn't need to mean boring though. If you use high quality ingredients, then even unfussy combinations of just a few different options can create a delicious, memorable drink. That's the approach of these cocktails from Diplomático Planas Rum, which keep the ingredient lists short and to the point to show off the qualities of a fine rum.

Read more
The iced flat white is the underrated coffee you didn’t know you’d love
What sets this espresso-forward iced beverage apart
Iced latte

The flat white coffee is undoubtedly one of Australia and New Zealand's favorite coffees, but you can still find it in some U.S. coffee shops. The flat white sets itself apart from other drinks like the latte, thanks to its stronger espresso flavor and velvety microfoamed milk on top without any froth.

The drink is made with one part espresso to two parts steamed milk, giving it a creamy and delicious taste. But how does this translate into an iced drink? An iced flat white is rare, but it's a must-order when you find it. Recently, the iced flat white has become my latest obsession. Especially when making it at home with my De'Longhi Rivelia, which is so fun. For me, it has a strong enough espresso flavor with the right level of creaminess. Here's what to know about the iced flat white and how to make one at home.

Read more
How to make instant coffee taste better: Simple tricks for a better brew
Exploring water temperature, mixing techniques, and more
instant coffee powder

Many regular coffee drinkers view instant coffee as inferior, arguing that its taste lacks the freshness and flavor of freshly brewed coffee. While there's plenty of truth to this, I still believe there's a time and a place for instant coffee. For many coffee drinkers, instant coffee offers a convenience and affordability that ground or whole-bean coffee can't. Luckily, inquiring coffee minds across the world have wondered if it's possible to make instant coffee better. From adding milk to adjusting the way you stir, here's what to know about how to make your instant coffee taste better.

How to make instant coffee taste better

Read more