Nothing compliments a hot summer’s day quite like a chilled glass of sangria. Packed with flavour, this punch-like cocktail is the perfect sharing drink and is ideal to make for a crowd – fruity, sweet and oh so tasty. We guarantee your guests will keep coming back for more! 

What’s In A Sangria? 

Originating in both Spain and Portugal, sangria has red wine as its main ingredient, with plenty of fruit, spice and brandy added to create a warming combination of flavours that work perfectly together. Served chilled, sangria is a refreshing choice for those warmer months. 

How To Make A Sangria 

While there are many different variations available, here’s our take on a traditional sangria. 

Equipment Needed: 

• A large bowl 
• Large jug or pitcher
• Cocktail stirring spoon
• Hiball tumbler glasses

Ingredients Needed:  

• 2 chopped oranges
• 2 chopped pears 
• 1 chopped lemon 
• Juice of 1 lemon 
• 200g chopped red berries (strawberries and cherries work well) 
• 3 tbsp caster sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon 
• Ice cubes 
• 750ml bottle of light red wine
• 100ml Spanish brandy 
• 300ml sparkling water 

Method: 

1. First, put the chopped fruit and lemon juice into a bowl and sprinkle over the caster sugar and the cinnamon evenly.
2. Stir to ensure each piece of fruit is coated, and then cover the bowl and leave to macerate in the fridge – overnight is ideal, but at least for an hour if you’re short on time. 
3. Once chilled, stir the fruit mixture again to make sure that all the sugar has dissolved. 
4. Next, fill a large jug or pitcher with ice, and add the contents of the bowl.
5. Add the wine and the brandy and stir well, before topping up with sparkling water. 
6. Serve and enjoy; sangria can be served in any glass you wish, though hiball tumbler glasses are a good choice so that there’s plenty of room for the ice and fruit. 

Alternative Sangria & Spanish Drink Recipes 

If you’re longing for the taste of Spain in the comfort of your home, take a look at our other delicious sangria and Spanish drink recipes to get you in the holiday mood. 

Winter Sangria 

Ideal for Christmas and New Year parties, our easy winter sangria has all the fruitiness of the classic cocktail with even more intense and luscious flavours. Made in a punch bowl, here’s a recipe designed to please a crowd. 

Equipment Needed: 

• Punch bowl or large bowl
• Punch ladle 

Ingredients Needed: 

• 750ml red wine 
• 700ml brandy 
• 250ml apple liqueur 
• 250ml raspberry liqueur 
• 500ml orange juice 
• 250ml cinnamon sugar syrup
• 100ml ginger sugar syrup 
• Orange slices studded with cloves 
• Grapefruit slices 
• Fresh raspberries 
• Ice cubes 

Method: 

1. Add the wine, brandy, apple liqueur, raspberry liqueur, orange juice, cinnamon syrup and ginger syrup into a large punch bowl and stir well. 
2. Add the orange slices, grapefruit slices and raspberries to the sangria, and stir again. 
3. The punch works best if it has been chilled in the fridge for approximately two hours before serving to allow the flavours to blend, but if this isn’t possible, add plenty of ice before serving.

Cava 

While red wine may be the classic base of this much-loved drink, there have been many variations created over the years which work just as well! Here’s how to create a stunning cava sangria. 

Equipment Needed: 

• A large bowl 
• Muddler 
• Large jug or pitcher 
• Ladle 

Ingredients Needed: 

• 1 apple thinly sliced
• 2 oranges thinly sliced into rounds 
• 225g diced pineapple 
• 225g frozen red grapes 
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 125ml orange liqueur 
• 125ml brandy
• 175ml pineapple juice 
• 2 x 750ml bottles of cava (chilled) 
• 2 cinnamon stick
• 1 star anise (optional) 
• 8 sprigs of mint 
• Sugar syrup to taste 

Method: 

1. First, add the apple, orange and pineapple to a large bowl, and cover evenly with the 2 tbsp of sugar – let this sit for 10 minutes. 
2. Next, add the orange liqueur, brandy, pineapple juice, cinnamon, star anise and mint to the bowl.
3. Muddle the ingredients together to ensure all flavours are released and infused. 
4. The mixture then needs to chill for at least an hour, but longer if possible.
5. Just before you’re ready to serve your sangria, add the cava and the frozen grapes, stirring gently to combine. Add sugar syrup to taste, and ladle into a large jug or pitcher filled with ice to serve.  

Queimada

Known as the “fire drink” of Galicia, queimada is a drink steeped in history. Traditionally enjoyed with family at gatherings, queimada is the ideal beverage to serve at winter parties and Halloween festivities, offering something a little different to tempt the taste buds. 

Equipment Needed: 

• Large fireproof clay pot or bowl 
• Glass
• Wooden spoon (long handled) 
• Ladle

Ingredients Needed: 

• 1 litre Orujo (Italian grappa or brandy will work)
• 85g granulated sugar 
• 16g fresh lemon peel (in strips) 
• 32g whole coffee beans 

Method: 

1. First, place the fireproof pot or bowl on a cold BBQ grill, with a large lid close-by to put out the flames. 
2. In the glass, pour in 4 tbsp of orujo and 1 tbsp of sugar, and then stir to dissolve – set aside. 
3. Pour the remaining orujo and sugar into the clay pot and stir the two together, before adding the lemon peel and coffee beans. 
4. Stir together once more, and then pour the mixture of orujo and sugar from the glass into a ladle and light it on fire. 
5. Gently and carefully, move the ladle very close to the clay pot and wait for the mixture to set alight. 
6. Stir frequently until the flames turn blue, and then slide the lid over the pot to put out the flames. 
7. Serve hot and enjoy.

From warm, comforting winter punch to fruity cocktails to enjoy in the sun, sangria is a versatile beverage that can be re-created again and again without losing its charm. Experiment with different fruits and spices for new takes on this delicious drink.