This all started when we were headed to the Keith Urban concert. ( which was AMAZING by the way! ) Whenever, Keith comes in town we go to a restaurant called Prasinos off Main Street in St. Charles. When we got there, my mom and sister were parking the car, I wanted to quickly order drinks to treat them. When looking at the menu Prasinos had a great variety of cocktails, but I knew immediately what my sister and mom would want. My sister is pregnant but LOVES margaritas– so I ordered her their mocktail version. Then I saw the sangria, and knew my mom would want that. I know my mom has been on the hunt for the best sangria and doesn’t like it too sweet. The waitress raved about it, so I knew it was a go! When my mom and sister arrived to the table, the waitress came over… and guess what drinks they asked her for? YEP. You guessed it… the exact ones I picked out for them (hahah do I know then or what!) Let’s just say my mom announced it was truly the best red sangria.
After that she has not stopped talking about the sangria lol! Therefore, she took to the store, numerous recipes and created the best red sangria herself! I am always picky about sangria because it can be too sweet or not enough… she truly found the perfect balance. So I am so excited to finally share with you guys my moms creation– The Best Red Sangria!
What Ingredients Make This The Best Red Sangria?
Ingredients:
Makes 4 servings
- 1 bottle Spanish red ( linked our favorite for the recipe here)
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1/3-1/2 cup triple sec (start with 1/3 and add more if you’d like– triple sec is key!)
- 4 to 6 tbsp raw sugar ( I prefer 4 not as well, and my parents prefer 6)
- 1 apple, 1 orange, 1 mango, 1/2 cup blackberries, 1/2 cup blueberries & 1/2 cup strawberries
Feel free to add whatever combination of fruit you’d like! This is just our favorite for this recipe.
What is a traditional sangria made out of?
Traditional sangria is made of red wine and a combination of herbs, spices and/or fruit. Overtime a wide variety of ingredients have been used in numerous recipes like brandy, tripe sec, soda etc.
White Wine Sangria
To make this recipe a white sangria, you can use the same recipe but use a white wine instead. Try and stick to more crispy white wine types of fruits like citrus. But I always love adding berries or whatever seasonal fruits are in at the time. Honestly, you cannot go wrong with any fruits added in to sangria in my opinion!
Great white wines for sangria: unbaked chardonnay, dry riesling, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc — but make sure it is always a wine you would drink on your own too, because you will be the one drinking it of course!
Red Wine Sangria
For red wine sangria the best to use are a Garnacha or Pinot Noir. If you are wanting to keep it like a Spanish sangria, the garnacha or a Spanish red blend like this recipe calls for is your best bet. However, you again like I mentioned above want it to be a wine you’d drink alone as well. You could also use cabernet, merlot, shiraz and Tempranillo — but again in my opinion best bet would be Spanish blend like the above.
How to Serve Sangria for a Party
Sangria is best served chill. So after making your batch of The Best Red or White Sangria, place it in the fridge for at-least 6 hours, but for best results over night. Then you will want to keep it in the refrigerator until serving.
Put ice cubes in the glasses, add sangria soaked fruit over the ice, then pour the sangria over it! Garnish with a orange slice on the side and you are good to go!
Types of glasses that are great for sangria: wine glasses are perfect– stemless or stem. A fun twist is putting them in mason jars, adds a great trendy look to the party, or you could go with tall tumbler glasses.
Tools for this recipe:
Large Pitcher
Stainless Steel Cocktail Stir
Sangria Themed Pitcher
Sangria Glasses
Great knives & cutting board to help catch the juice
Other HGHF Drinks You Need to Make
Festive Spiked Butterscotch Eggnog
Fresh Grapefruit Watermelon Paloma Cocktail
Easy Fall Apple Cider Sangria
Easy Freckled Strawberry Lemonade
What to serve with The Best Red or White Sangria recipe?
Sangria is one of those wonderful drinks where there is not a specific time where you have to enjoy it… you can enjoy Sangria ALL year round and with lots of types of food. It goes great with dinner, but also goes great with appetizers out on the patio or inside for a game night. Whatever you choose, it will be delicious! Below you will find some great dinners to pair it with as well as appetizer ideas.
Easy Dinners to Pair with Your Sangria:
Quick Guacamole Black Bean Burgers
The Best Taco Bell Mexican Pizza
Easy Blackened Salmon Caesar Salad
Easy Appetizers to Pair with Your Sangria:
Burrata Board: Can you go wrong with a burrata board? Burrata cheese, blistered or balsamic tomatoes, goat cheese, crackers, dried fruit, prosciutto and whatever else your hearts desires… oh don’t forget the fresh basil!
Street Corn… but make it a dip! : This Easy Crock Pot Street Corn Dip is next level and will go perfect when snacking with your Sangria
Easy Grilled Shrimp Guacamole Bites:
The Best Red or White Sangria
Ingredients
- 1 bottle Spanish red linked our favorite for the recipe here
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1/3 cup brandy
- 1/3-1/2 cup triple sec start with 1/3 and add more if you’d like– triple sec is key!
- 4 to 6 tbsp raw sugar I prefer 4 not as well, and my parents prefer 6
- 1 apple 1 orange, 1 mango, 1/2 cup blackberries, 1/2 cup blueberries & 1/2 cup strawberries
Instructions
- Chop up all of your fruit and set aside
- Pour in your wine, orange juice, triple sec & brandy. Give it a good stir. Then add in the amount of raw sugar you prefer I'd start with 4 tbsp. Stir for about 1 minute to get it dissolved.
- Add in your fruit, give it another stir for about 1 minute. Cover and place in refrigerator for at least 6 hours. Best to let it sit over night and then enjoy!
- Keep in fridge for up to 5 days in an air tight container like a mason jar.
Go Mom!!! Thanks for making this….can’t wait to try the white version for my girls night!
hahah right… I will keep her around ;)! Hope you had the best girls night!!
We’ve tried a few different Sangria recipes and this one is a winner. Will definitely be our go-to Sangria recipe.
Ah Yay Cathy!! Thank you so much, I am so glad to hear this!! Cheers!!