Sangria, a fruity wine punch with Spanish roots, is basically made for warm weather gatherings. This Soulful Sangria recipe brings together rich red wine, fresh fruit, and just enough sweetness to keep things interesting.

Making sangria at home? It really only takes about 15 minutes to prep, but trust me, the flavors get way better if you let it chill for at least 4 hours in the fridge.

One of the best things about sangria is how flexible it is. You can swap in whatever fruit you’ve got on hand or whatever’s in season.

Sure, apples, oranges, and lemons are classic, but berries or peaches? Those work great too.

This batch is meant for 6-8 people, so it’s right at home at a backyard barbecue or a cozy dinner party. Wine, fruit, a splash of brandy—it all comes together into a drink that pleases both wine lovers and folks who usually go for lighter cocktails.

Soulful Sangria Cocktail Recipe

This version brings together fresh fruit, wine, and a touch of brandy. It’s tasty, easy, and you can make it ahead—what’s not to love?

John

Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Serving Size

Equipment

Large glass pitcher (at least 2-quart capacity)
Wooden spoon: For stirring.
Sharp knife for cutting fruit

Cutting Board
Measuring cups and spoons
Wine glasses for serving

Citrus juicer (optional)
Ice bucket (if serving immediately)

Ingredients

1 bottle 750ml medium-bodied red wine (like Tempranillo or Garnacha)

1/4 cup brandy
1/4 cup orange liqueur such as Cointreau or Triple Sec
2 tablespoons honey or sugar adjust to taste

1 orange sliced into rounds
1 lemon sliced into rounds
1 lime sliced into rounds

1 apple cored and diced
1 cup fresh strawberries hulled and halved
1-2 cups club soda optional, for serving

Ice cubes for serving

Instructions

Prepare the fruit: Wash all the fruit well. Slice the citrus into thin rounds. Core and dice the apple, and hull and halve those strawberries.
Build the base: In your pitcher, mix the honey or sugar with about 1/4 cup of the wine. Stir it up until it dissolves.

Add the liquids: Pour in the rest of the wine, the brandy, and the orange liqueur. Give it a gentle stir.
Add the fruit: Toss in all your prepped fruit and stir gently again.
Chill: Cover the pitcher and let it hang out in the fridge for at least 4 hours, or overnight if you can wait. That’s when the magic happens.

Serve: When you’re ready, add some ice to your glasses, pour in the sangria, and scoop in a bit of fruit. Top with club soda if you’re feeling bubbly.

Notes

You can make this sangria up to two days ahead, which is honestly a lifesaver for parties. The flavors keep developing and get even better after a day.

Want to skip the alcohol? Use grape juice instead of wine, leave out the brandy and orange liqueur, and add a splash of lemon juice to cut the sweetness.

Switch up the fruit depending on the season. Peaches and berries in summer are fantastic. In the fall, pears or pomegranate seeds bring something new.

If you’re in the mood for white sangria, swap in a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, and go for lighter fruits—think green apples, white peaches, green grapes.

Must Have Ingredients

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Tasting Notes

Sangria’s got that sweet, tangy, fruity thing going on. It’s just a super refreshing drink, especially when the weather’s warm or you’re hanging out with friends.

The wine gives it depth, while the fruit brings in natural sweetness. Orange and lemon juice add a bright, zippy acidity that keeps things from getting cloying.

Flavor Profile:

First Sip: Sweet fruit with wine undertones

Mid-Palate: Citrus tanginess and maybe a little spice
Finish: Smooth, refreshing, with a lingering fruit note

If you add club soda, there’s a nice fizz that keeps it lively. Ideally, it shouldn’t be too sweet or too boozy—just balanced.

Serving Temperature: Sangria’s best when it’s properly chilled, somewhere between 38 and 45°F. Go too cold and you’ll lose flavor; too warm and, well, the alcohol starts to take over.

The drink actually changes as it sits. After a few hours, the fruit really soaks into the wine, so you get a more layered taste.

No two batches are ever quite the same, honestly. The fruit, how ripe it is, even your wine choice—it all makes a difference. That’s kind of the fun of it.

Pairing Suggestions:

Spanish tapas
Grilled seafood

Cheese plates
Spicy foods

Substitute

If you don’t have all the ingredients for the Soulful Sangria cocktail, don’t worry. You can totally make some swaps.

These substitutions should still give you a tasty drink, maybe even one you like more.

Wine Options:

Red wine → White wine or rosé

Dry red → Sweet red (will make a sweeter sangria)

Fruit Alternatives:

Oranges → Tangerines or blood oranges

Apples → Pears or peaches
Lemons → Limes

Liquor Swaps:

Brandy → Bourbon or rum
Triple sec → Cointreau or Grand Marnier

You can even make a non-alcoholic version if that’s your thing. Just swap the wine for grape juice and leave out the brandy.

Now you’ve got a family-friendly drink everyone can actually enjoy.

For something lighter, just add more club soda or sparkling water. That’ll cut down the alcohol and give you a more refreshing vibe.

Sangria’s honestly pretty flexible. The recipe can always change, depending on what you have on hand.

Go ahead and experiment with whatever fruit’s in season—why not try something new every time?

Soulful Sangria Cocktail Recipe