1bottle750ml medium-bodied red wine (like Tempranillo or Garnacha)
1/4cupbrandy
1/4cuporange liqueursuch as Cointreau or Triple Sec
2tablespoonshoney or sugaradjust to taste
1orangesliced into rounds
1lemonsliced into rounds
1limesliced into rounds
1applecored and diced
1cupfresh strawberrieshulled and halved
1-2cupsclub sodaoptional, for serving
Ice cubesfor 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.