The Perfect White Sangria for Spring and Summer
Now that Spring is officially here and Summer is right around the corner, thoughts of outdoor get-togethers and drinks on the patio, start to fill our minds again. From backyard picnics to local restaurants and tapas bars, Sangria is a spring and summertime staple. It is always a crowd pleaser and super simple to create your own version.
What is Sangria?
Sangria is a mix of wine, fruit, and other alcohol depending on the recipe. This lively and fresh alcoholic drink is from Spain and is believed to date back over 2,000 Years. The color of the sangria depends on the wine. Red sangria is made with red wine, and white sangria with white wine.
Here in the United States, sangria was introduced at the 1964 World’s Fair in Queens, New York, where it was featured at the Spain pavilion. There are several regional variations of sangria, so ingredients vary. Traditional sangria may contain:
Sweeteners: simple syrup, agave nectar or sugar (about ¼ cup or the equivalent)
Something Fizzy: sparkling water or sparkling white wines like Champagne or Prosecco
Fruit: sliced oranges, chopped pineapple, peaches, nectarines, apples, figs, mango, blueberries, or pears. (We use about 2 cups of fruit in ours)
Flavored liqueurs, fruit schnapps, Brandy, or Cognac, St Germaine
How to Make a Great Sangria?
If you’re wondering about the best way to make Sangria, or how it should be served, look no further.
Our perfect recipe includes 8 ingredients, 1 pitcher, and less than 10 minutes to make
For fruit, we like grapes, blueberries, oranges, and figs. Sangria needs just a bit of something sweet, we like simple syrup to stay true and pure in flavor. (If you are avoiding sugars, you can also use a comparable amount of powdered coconut sugar, agave, or stevia to taste.
Once you have the fruit selected, add your favorite spirits and muddle to release the flavors!
We like Gin or Elderflower, and Brandy for an extra boozy version try ¼ cup of each.
Then add one bottle of sparkling white, we prefer Cava but there are many to choose from and our friends at the Merry Wine Market or The Grocery can help you pick just the right one!
If you have the chance to make it the day before and refrigerate it overnight the fruit becomes embodied with the spirits as well making them even tastier.
- Add half of the fruit and all the sugar (or other sweeteners) to a large pitcher, muddle with a muddler or gently crush with a wooden spoon for 15-30 seconds.
- Add the alcohol spirits of choice and muddle again to combine for another 15- 30 seconds. Add remaining fruit and stir to incorporate
- Add sparkling wine and stir once more
- Add ice or frozen fruit to serve quickly or refrigerate until ready to serve,
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days
Salud or Chinchín! –
Two of the most commons way to say “Cheers” in Spanish
Salud -English Translation: Health or To your health. Pronounced as sah-loo, it is used to honor someone and wish them good health during a Spanish toast. This phrase can be used in any type of situation where a toast is to be had and is the formal preference.
¡Chinchín! – English Translation: Please, please! Pronounced as ch-ee-n-ch-ee-n. A cute and informal phrase that sounds like two glasses clinking together.
