Sangria

Red wine punch

A chilled Spanish red wine punch with brandy, orange and lemon: fruity, lightly sweet and refreshing, with a light sparkle.

12% ABV
Built in the glass
2 min
Wine glass
fruity
sweet
refreshing
citrusy

about 1.7 standard drinks (US, 14 g of alcohol). Estimated after dilution with ice.

Ingredients

4 ozRed wineUse a young, fruity, low-tannin red wine.
¾ ozBrandy
½ ozOrange liqueur (triple sec)
1 ozFresh orange juice
¼ ozSimple syrup
2 slicesOrangeSlices go in the glass and stay as garnish.
1 sliceLemonOne slice goes in the glass and stays as garnish.
Top up withSoda waterAdded last, so the drink keeps a light sparkle.

Ice: Ice cubes · Garnish: orange, lemon

Method

Place 2 orange slices and 1 lemon slice in a wine glass, then add 10 ml simple syrup, 20 ml brandy and 15 ml orange liqueur.
Press the fruit lightly with a spoon to release a little juice, without crushing it.
Fill the glass with ice cubes, then pour in 120 ml red wine and 30 ml orange juice.
Stir gently for a few seconds to blend.
Top with about 30 ml soda water and serve with the fruit slices as garnish.

Tips

Choose a young, fruity red with little tannin and no oak; heavy, tannic wines make the drink taste harsh.
For a pitcher, multiply by six: 720 ml red wine, 120 ml brandy, 90 ml orange liqueur, 180 ml orange juice, 60 ml simple syrup and about 180 ml soda water, adding the soda only at serving time.
Let the fruit, wine and spirits rest in the refrigerator for one to two hours before serving so the flavors blend.

Swaps

Missing something? These swaps change the taste a little but keep the drink balanced.

Simple syrup → Cane sugar syrup
Brandy → Cognac
Orange liqueur (triple sec) → Dry orange curaçao

History

Sangria is a wine-and-fruit punch associated with Spain and Portugal. Its name comes from the Spanish word sangre, meaning blood, a reference to the deep red color of the wine. Its exact origins are not well documented, and recipes vary widely from one region and household to another.