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This is a simple, classic Sangria and this recipe brings me back to Spain. You, too, can escape to a fantasy Spanish tapas bar right in your kitchen with this beautiful Red Sangria cocktail. Try this recipe today!

Glass with sangria and fruit in it on a piece of wood. There is a cutting board with oranges, lemons and an apple on it.

🍷 What makes this recipe special?

A nice, cool Sangria can cool you off on a hot summer day but is perfect any time of the year as a wonderful drink. This recipe tries to stay true to the heritage of Sangria while giving you something that is both easy to make and a delicious adult drink.

You could pair this red favorite with a pitcher of White Sangria or a Tropical Moscato Sangria. If you want something a tad different, check out this Horse’s Neck cocktail. Maybe you could make it a full Summertime meal with this Grilled Bacon Wrapped ShrimpMediterranean Watermelon Feta Salad, and Grilled Jo Jos.

🍇 Ingredients

Red wine is the star of this recipe, reinforced with a bit of brandy and then it is sweetened up with some sugar. Finally, sugar and time are added to the mix. Here is a list of ingredients you will need for this simple Sangria.

Sugar, apple, red wine, brandy, lemon, and sugar on a cutting board.
  • sugar
  • brandy
  • orange
  • apple
  • lemon
  • merlot

Leave the fancy wine for another day and pick up a bottle of the cheap stuff. Really, I think any red will do, but we found that merlot tasted the best for us.

Our wine of choice was Barefoot Merlot, and it is excellent because it is reasonably priced and perfect for our needs. We will be doctoring this wine up and making it something a bit more beautiful.

See the recipe card for ingredient quantities.

🍲 Instructions

One of the great things about Sangria is that it is so easy to make. This simple Sangria is as easy as chopping some fruits up and then mixing all the ingredients!

Process of making red Sangria.
This is as easy as chopping up some fruit, and adding brandy, wine, and sugar to a pitcher. Give it some time and then serve!

The other thing this recipe needs is time. You can get away with serving it soon after you make it, but I suggest allowing the ingredients to marry for at least six hours.

🤷 Substitutions and variations

Sangria doesn’t need to be a strict recipe! I encourage you to experiment.

  • Fruit – I call for orange, apple, and lemon. You could really try any fruit! Strawberries would be a great addition.
  • Brandy – This recipe calls for brandy, but feel free to omit this ingredient if you don’t want it fortified.
  • Bigger Batch – Need more Sangria? Double or even triple the batch!

📦 Storage

Put your Sangria in a pitcher and store it in the fridge until you are ready to use it. I would suggest drinking it within a few days.

🎓 History tidbit

Sangria was first introduced to the American masses at the 1964 World Fair in New York. If you want to learn more, we have a whole article about the history and origin of Sangria. 

❓ FAQ

What is Sangria?

Sangria is a wine product that is sweetened and has fruits added. Typically, it is red wine, but it can be other varieties. Often, the wine is fortified and we are going to do the same for our easy Sangria recipe.

Where is Sangria from? 

Sangria is a product native to Spain but really can be made anywhere. That said, the European Union has specific rules about what can be named Sangria (according to them). 

📝 Tips and tricks

  • Brandy is optional, but I highly recommend adding it!
  • Want to try different fruits? Go ahead! Have fun!
Side view of two sangrias with a carafe of the same in the background

🛠 Products used in this recipe

😋 Did you make this recipe?

That is awesome! I hope you love this one as much as I do. Could you do me a real favor and leave a review in the comment section below? This helps others decide if they want to give this recipe a try and lets me know how I am doing. Most of all, thanks for visiting Ramshackle Pantry.

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Side view of two sangrias with a carafe of the same in the background

Easy Sangria Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 2 reviews
  • Author: Ben Myhre
  • Prep Time: 5 Minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 Hours
  • Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes
  • Yield: 6 Servings 1x
  • Category: Drinks
  • Method: Refrigerator
  • Cuisine: Spanish

Description

This is an easy Sangria recipe that just takes a little bit of time and a couple of fruits. Enjoy this beautiful drink on a hot summer day or on your next grill out.


Ingredients

Scale
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ cup brandy
  • 1 orange, loosely chopped
  • 1 apple, cored and loosely chopped
  • 1 lemon, loosely chopped
  • 750ml bottle of merlot

Instructions

  1. Add ½ cup sugar and brandy to pitcher. Stir.
  2. Add in each of the fruits and mix after adding each one.
  3. Add wine, stir
  4. Place in fridge for at least 6 hours
  5. Serve

Notes

  • Brandy is optional, but I highly recommend adding it!
  • Want to try different fruits? Go ahead! Have fun!

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11 Comments

  1. Such a classic summer beverage, for good reason. Love it for backyard cookouts. I didn’t know it was introduced to the States at the 1964 Worlds Fair. And to think I was there! Unfortunately, I was a bit too young to drink at the time…

  2. I’m a lover of sangria, so I had to check out this recipe! An easy recipe is always a must during the summer, and it looks super refreshing. Pinning to try later!

  3. One of my favorite drinks.. I’ll be sure to bookmark this so I can try your recipe once the weather warms up!