Name: Sparkling Red Sangria
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 1 750 mL bottle red wine; 1 apple (cored and sliced); 1 orange (sliced and quartered); 1/4 cup orange liqueur; 1/4 cup apple juice; sparkling apple juice or prosecco

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Sparkling Red Sangria is made with your favorite red wine, a splash of orange liquour, small bites of fresh fruit, and bubbles!

The longer the fruit soaks, the more of the sangria it absorbs for a snack once you finish your cocktail! This red wine sangria recipe is a fabulously easy make-ahead cocktail.

SPARKLING RED WINE SANGRIA

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Sparkling Red Wine Sangria is a fantastic year-round cocktail. Whether you're planning a romantic dinner for two or a backyard barbecue for a crowd, batch cocktails like this red wine sangria are always a great choice. The best thing about my favorite sangria recipes is that the longer it sits, the better it tastes!

Not only do I love sangria, but I love all things wine. I have a ton of recipes that feature wine. From Tender Pork Marsala served over Gorgonzola Celery Root Mashed Potatoes or pasta, to a holiday prime rib roast, wine not only tenderizes, but enhances the flavor of savory dishes. Have you ever used wine to make something sweet? I made a summer crostini with strawberries, goat cheese, and a red wine caramel. Pure heaven!

What is sangria?

Sangria is an alcoholic punch. It traditionally consists of red wine and chopped fruit. Other ingredients often include fruit juices for sweetening as well as a cordial like brandy.

Sangria recipes vary widely depending on the region.

Where is sangria originally from?

Sangria originated in the Portugal and Spain regions of Europe. The name is believed to have come from the spanish word sangre which means blood. Sangria recipes have been adapted over the years to vary beyond red wine and you'll see a ton of white wine sangria, or sangria blanca, recipes which are especially popular during the warm summer months.

How to make sangria:

Making sangria is super simple. It just takes a bit of time to get the most flavor.

Start by chopping up your favorite fruits. I prefer the size of the cut fruit be small enough to easily eat, but large enough to hold it's texture and shape.
Add the fruit to a large pitcher and cover with wine. At this point you can add anything else to your sangria including sugar, juice, or additional alcoholic like vodka or brandy.
If you plan on adding bubbles, save those for serving. Do not add anything carbonated until you're pouring the sangria and serving it to yourself or your guests!
Give your punch a taste. Keep in mind that the flavors will develop as it soaks, but if you need more of anything, add it now.
Allow your sangria to soak in the refrigerator for at least an hour, although longer is better.

Will sangria get you drunk?

Seems like a silly question, but people ask.

Yes - you can get drunk from sangria. It's no different than drinking wine because, well, you are drinking wine. If, for some reason you think that by soaking wine in fruit and juice that it becomes any less alcoholic, you're wrong.

Will sangria go bad?

Sangria will actually last several days if refrigerated, but any homemade sangria made with fresh fruit will eventually go bad. The alcohol from the wine (and anything else you may have added) certainly helps preserve the fruit, but if any of the fruit is floating on the top and exposed to atmosphere, it will eventually oxidize and get gross.

Can sangria be served warm?

Absolutely. Make a big batch and throw it in your crockpot. This is especially a good idea during the fall and winter months. Warm sangria is the perfect holiday party drink.

I think iced sangria is fantastic for an outdoor barbecue. When I think of sipping on an ice cold glass of sangria, I picture myself sitting in the sun and watching the birds and the butterflies.

Can sangria be made the night before?

Yes! The best party drinks are the ones that can be made ahead of time. A good rule of thumb is to make your sangria on the morning you plan to be serving it, or a day or two in advance.

Which red wine is best when making sangria?

I like to start this sparkling red sangria with a bold red wine. A red blend is my wine of choice, but you could also use a merlot, cabernet, or pinot noir.

How to decide which fruit to use when making sangria:

For this particular sangria, I love using apples and oranges, but not just any apples and oranges. I highly recommend a crisp, sweet, and tart pink lady apple. They have incredible flavor, and a white flesh, which ends up turning different shades of pink, depending on how long you let the fruit soak. I also recommend Cara Cara oranges as they also have fantastic flavor and are very juicy.

Other fruits you may consider using could be pineapple, peaches, nectarines, berries, pears, or melon.

Do you have to use brandy when making sangria?

Nope! I don't even own brandy!

For my red sangria recipe, I used orange-flavored liqueur, like Grand Marnier or triple sec. The liqueur brings out the flavors in the fruit.

How do you sweeten sangria?

To sweeten this sangria recipe and balance things out I added apple juice as well. I like using an unfiltered honey crisp cider, but you can use your favorite brand.

Common ways to sweeten sangrias also include just adding sugar. One could never go wrong with some fresh orange juice, either.

Finally, add a splash of sparkling water for some bubbles, or you could use a sparkling apple cider which adds a little more flavor to your drink. You could also top this sangria with prosecco instead to take this drink from fabulous to super fabulous!