Fall Red Wine Sangria Recipe

Thinking about fall party cocktails? Look no further. A classic option is this fall red wine sangria recipe! A little wine, a little fruit, et voila, you have a cocktail that appeals to everyone and is sure to impress! But first, let’s learn a bit about the origins of sangria.

When was sangria invented? Where did it originate?

Blending wine with honey and spices was popular among the Romans, especially in the Iberian peninsula. That area is more commonly as Spain and Portugal! While the blends probably began as heavy on spices and honey, adding fruit gradually became more popular. And the trend carries through into today!

Can sangria be made with white wine?

Sangria CAN be made with white wine! In fact, if your goal is an aesthetically pleasant punch, white wine or rose may be a better choice. The clearer liquids allow the colors of the fruits to shine through much better. Or maybe mix it up and make a pitcher of each!

Can sangria be nonalcoholic?

Of course! There are several delicious nonalcoholic wines on the market that can be substituted in for regular wine. Orange juice typically makes a great substitution for orange liqueur as well!

Which wine should be used for sangria? Brandy or orange liqueur?

This is a matter for debate. Many will say that Spanish wine is the best wine to use for sangria. Spanish wine does make great sangria! However, limiting your choices to imported Spanish wines can be unnecessarily restrictive, and possibly limiting in the quality of sangria that can be made. In our kitchen, we’re fans of a local brand of wine called Oliver. It’s affordable and tasty! What’s not to love?! So our choice for today was the Oliver dry red blend. But the best choice for your sangria is your favorite wine.

Should you use brandy or orange liqueur? Is it necessary to use either? The simple answer is no. As sangria is essentially an infused wine, extra liquor is unnecessary. However, if you have a preference for brandy or orange liqueur, or if you happen to have some on hand, go ahead and add them! We did purchase brandy specifically for this recipe…but only because the holidays are coming up and we love a hot toddy or buttered brandy when the cold season arrives!

What do I do with the leftover fruit?

A good question! Our first choice is to use the leftover fruit to make a fruit crumble. It’s a perfect breakfast the day after a boozy, sangria-fueled event! The internet is full of great ideas, and some that we are looking forward to trying in the future are: freezing them to use as ice cubes in wine, simmering into a fruit jam, and freezing to put in smoothies! Do you have a go-to recipe for leftover wine-infused fruit? Let us know in the comments!

How to make sangria at home

The steps to making sangria are very easy! Start by cutting your fruits. For maximum aesthetic quality, slice some of each fruit into rounds to put around the edges of the pitcher, as well as for garnish. Chop the rest into cubes.

Next, mix in the berries and sugars. Sugar is hygroscopic, meaning it draws water to itself. In this case, it will draw the water – and flavor! – out of fruits to add maximum flavor to your sangria! Let the fruit sit in the sugar for at least a half hour.

Mix in your chosen alcohol. Make sure to give the bottom of the pitcher a good stir to incorporate the brown sugar and honey! Allow the flavors to meld overnight, and serve cold the next day!

How to serve sangria

Sangria can be served in a variety of ways! Poured out of a pitcher, dipped out of a punch bowl, or even served in pre-prepared individual glasses! You could add a sugar rim, slices of fruit to garnish, or even some citrus peel. Adding a sprig of mint or rosemary for contrasting colors is also a great idea!

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