Red Or White Sangria Recipe

Prepare fruit

Wash all fruit. Thinly slice the orange, lemon, and lime crosswise into rounds. Core the apple and dice into 1/4-inch pieces. Halve or quarter strawberries if using large berries; leave blueberries or raspberries whole.

Place the prepared orange, lemon, lime slices, diced apple, and berries into a large, clean pitcher (capacity 2–2.5 liters). Reserve a few slices/berries for garnish if desired.

Macerate fruit with sugar

Sprinkle the 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar evenly over the fruit in the pitcher. Use a wooden spoon or muddler to gently muddle 3–4 times — enough to release some juice and dissolve the sugar but not to pulverize the fruit.

Add liqueur & brandy

Pour the orange liqueur (60 ml) and brandy (60 ml, if using) over the fruit and sugar. Stir gently to combine so the alcohol dissolves remaining sugar and helps extract fruit flavor.

Pour 1.5 liters of your chosen wine (red or white) into the pitcher over the fruit, liqueur, and sugar mixture. Add 1 cup fresh orange juice. Stir thoroughly to incorporate all ingredients.

Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours. Longer rest (8–12 hours) improves flavor as the fruit infuses the wine. If in a hurry, a 45–60 minute chill still works but yields a lighter infusion.

Just before serving, gently stir the sangria and taste. If more sweetness is desired, add up to 1 tablespoon additional sugar dissolved in a little warm water, or a splash more orange liqueur.

Add 2 cups chilled club soda or sparkling water to the pitcher for brightness and bubbles. Stir once gently to combine without flattening the soda.

Fill glasses with ice (about 1–1.5 cups ice per glass depending on glass size). Using a slotted spoon, distribute fruit into each glass and pour sangria over ice, ensuring some pieces of fruit in every serving.

Garnish each glass with a mint sprig and an orange or lemon twist if desired. Serve immediately. Keep leftover sangria refrigerated (without additional soda) up to 48 hours; add fresh soda when ready to serve again.