You are going to love The Best Red Wine Sangria Recipe.
Watch the video showing you how to make this recipe, then scroll to the bottom of this post and print out the recipe so you can make it at home.
What makes this The Best Red Wine Sangria?
This recipe is thought of as “the best” because it best emulates what you might sample if you were to visit Spain or Portugal. I’m not sure how authentic it is, but everyone seems to love it. I’m delighted that this does not turn out to be the god-awful sweet version of red wine sangria that I’ve had so many times. There is sugar in the recipe– but not an overwhelming amount. Munch on the wine-soaked orange slices after the sangria is gone. Whooo – eeeee! yum. This recipe is a definite keeper.
I love to make this recipe to share between just my husband and me. It only calls for one bottle of red wine, and we don’t have any problem drinking a bottle of wine between us! Double or triple the recipe to serve at a party.
What’s a good wine to buy for The Best Red Wine Sangria?
You don’t need to buy an expensive red wine to make The Best Red Wine Sangria! I like to use an inexpensive Rioja (Spanish wine). Combined with the other flavors in the sangria, it works perfectly!
The recipe includes a good amount of citrus- both lemon and orange. A little bit of triple sec and brandy is added in too.
Can you make The Best Red Wine Sangria ahead of time?
Yes, you can definitely prepare this sangria ahead of time. After you prepare it, put the pitcher of sangria into the fridge for several hours to meld the flavors and chill it well. Make it in the morning if you plan to enjoy it for Happy Hour or in the evening.
This might just become your new favorite sangria recipe!
Can you keep leftovers of this sangria and drink it later?
Sort of. I think it’s best if you have let it “marinate” for several hours and then drink it all up after that. But putting it in the fridge again for another day of waiting might be a bit too much. It won’t be as fresh and tasty as if you’d made it the same day.
I’m a big lover of sangria, so I suggest you check out all of my sangria recipes! If you’re looking for more party punch type recipes, I can recommend my Vodka Party Punch or this Pomegranate Punch (with added vodka). This Amaretto Bourbon Punch looks good too!
The Best Red Wine Sangria
Ingredients
- 2 large oranges, rinsed well
- 1 large lemon, rinsed well
- 1/4 cup granulated white sugar (I like to use superfine sugar)
- 1/4 cup Triple Sec
- One 750ml. bottle inexpensive, fruity, medium-bodied red wine, chilled
- drizzle of brandy (optional, but good!)
- extra orange slices, for garnish (if desired)
Instructions
- Slice one orange, and squeeze the juice out of the 2nd orange. Slice the lemon.
- Add sliced orange and lemon and sugar to a large pitcher; mash gently with wooden spoon until the fruit releases some juice, but is not totally crushed, and sugar dissolves, about 1 minute. Stir in the orange juice, Triple Sec, and wine; refrigerate for at least 2, and up to 8 hours.
- Before serving, stir again and add a drizzle of brandy (if using). Serve immediately over ice cubes in individual glasses. Or, if it's well-chilled, you may choose not to use ice at all.
Notes
- Cook's Illustrated tested this recipe with more expensive red wines too and they found that the cheaper wine tasted just fine. It really is okay to buy an inexpensive bottle for this recipe. I use a Spanish wine... anything like a Rioja or the like is okay.
- The longer sangria sits before drinking, the more smooth and mellow it will taste. A full day is best, but if that isn't possible, give it an absolute minimum of two hours to sit.
- You can easily double or triple the recipe- just switch to a punch bowl instead of a pitcher.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
made it for my BUNCO group tonight and it was a huge hit! Used Pinot Noir wine and mixed it with a little 7up right before serving. The white wine and the champagne are still in the refrigerator, but the Sangria is GONE!
Great recipe, thank you! I made this for our housewarming party last night and it was a great hit! I went with this recipe because it was one of the easier recipes I came across, and I figured simple is best. I doubled the recipe– I could have used about twice as much! I did add some strawberries because it’s nearly summertime, but I don’t think it changes the flavor profile very much. Thanks again!
This is great! My family is from Spain, and this is very similar to how we make ours. I add chopped peaches, a splash of brandy, and add a cinnamon stick, then let it sit over night. Before serving, I’ll do a little splash of 7-up. Delicious!
DELICIOUS! Thank you for posting this recipe! I quadrupled itfor a rather rowdy crowd lol 😀
I did cut back slightly on the lemon and add a chopped apple and a few floating strawberries, just for presentation factor!
I want to make this recipe, but I need to make for a party of about 40 people. I see it only serves 4. Any suggestions on how to make more of? without taking away from taste? I’m trying to keep cost down.
Thanks.
Buy the large bottles of red wine! Use small cups for serving so as not to encourage large servings.
Having just returned from two weeks traveling through Spain, I was in search of a Sangria recipe that would match “the real thing.” I halved the recipe and it was the perfect amount to have a glass tomorrow night as well. As I sit here sipping my first glass from this recipe, I know that I will look no further. The only thing missing is a plate or two of tapas! Thanks for posting!
@Janie Black, That’s terrific to hear!
I agree this is the best sangria. It’s perfect on a summer evening. Not too sweet and very easy to make. I love the fact that it doesn’t have too many differ fruits. The citrus flavor is just right. Great for a date night.
This is the best sangria. I have now made it several times for events and it is divine. I find most sangria way too sweet. This one is not at all too sweet, easy to make!
Sangria!!
I made this for a Mexican meal and just 2 couples. I checked a ton of recipes online and was surprised at all the big variations. Then I saw she used Cooks Illustrated which I know is an excellent resource, but normally really difficult recipes. Couldn’t believe how easy and tasty it was. I only made one pitcher which was a mistake – so I ended up making a 2nd one when we were done and we immediately drank it. It was still very yummy without having set. My orange slices were a bit too big. I also added small chopped up apples were were a delicious addition.