The first time I went to Spain, I tried Sangria and fell in love with it. From that moment on, my fondness for the wine-based beverage has remained. I mean, what’s there not to love? Sangria is fruity, sweet, and best of all—fun for sharing. There’s really nothing like going to a tapas place with some friends, sharing a pitcher of Sangria, and chatting the night away.
During the holiday months though, I find myself going outside less and less. (Let’s just say the cold weather and I are not friends.) Luckily, Sangria is super easy to make at home. While there’s no definitive way to make Sangria, there are some commonalities between recipes. If you go to a tapas bar, chances are, their Sangria is made with red wine, orange juice, brandy, sugar, and chopped fruit. Some recipes call for a white wine instead of a red, orange liqueur in place of orange juice, or sparkling water to add a bit of fizz, but for the most part, the main items you’ll need don’t stray too far away from those five ingredients.
Ideally, you’ll want to prep your Sangria the night before you serve it to let all those fruity flavors develop, but if you’re really in a time crunch, at least two hours before should do the trick. Once you make it, be sure to cover your pitcher and store it in the fridge to let it do its thing.
Whether you’re celebrating Friendsgiving with the girlies or having a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with your relatives, you can’t go wrong with making a big batch of Sangria for the night. No matter which recipe you decide on, you can always customize the ingredients as you see fit. Not a fan of apples? Sub that out for pears. You get the idea.
And if you want in on the fun but prefer a non-alcoholic beverage, we’ve included a mocktail option in this list, too. (You’re welcome.)
For a drink that reminds you of a true fall harvest, you’ll want to make this Autumn Sangria from Garlic Head. You’ll just need a bottle of a full-bodied red wine (Rioja is a popular choice), apple cider vinegar, sparkling water, sugar, pomegranate arils, and sliced fruit (apples, pears, and oranges will do). Optionally, you can add a touch of brandy or cognac to the mix, too.
Craving a little something extra with your obligatory slice of pumpkin pie? Try this Apple Pie Sangria from Eating With Erica. It’s made with a base of white Moscato, caramel vodka, apple cider and ginger ale. To make it extra dessert-appropriate, you’ll add sliced Granny Smith apples and a few cinnamon sticks.
This delish Apple Cider Sangria from Garlic Head offers the cozy flavors of fall while still being light and refreshing. The recipe calls for a bottle of dry white wine, apple cider, orange juice, sliced apples and pears, grated ginger, and ground cinnamon. Yum.
This Raspberry Bourbon Sangria from Eating With Erica isn’t a typical Sangria, but it’s still a fruity cocktail with depth. Instead of a wine base, it’s made with Chambord Liqueur and Old Forester 100, in addition to grapefruit juice, hibiscus tea, and mint leaves. It’s refreshing and not too sweet, pairing perfectly with any meal you have at Thanksgiving dinner.
Who said sangrias have to be alcoholic? Mitten Girl’s Red Sangria Mocktail is the perfect drink to prep for the whole family. You’ll just need sparkling red grape juice, orange juice, lime juice, ginger syrup, sparkling water, pomegranate seeds, and orange slices.
This Blood Orange Cranberry Sangria from Chaos and Wine seamlessly fuses the flavors of fall and winter into one festive drink. To make it, you’ll just need Riesling wine, Prosecco, cranberry juice, club soda, simple syrup, sliced blood oranges, and fresh cranberries.
This White Wine Sangria recipe from Mitten Girl is so refreshing—perfect for balancing out those heavy dishes at Thanksgiving dinner. You’ll just need a white wine (preferably Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio), Brandy, Peach Schnapps, sliced fruit (peaches, grapes, or orange slices), and club soda. It’ll definitely be a hit with the crowd!
