Basic Red Wine and Brandy Sangria

Basic Red Wine Sangria Punch
The Spruce / S&C Design Studios
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Refrigerate: 8 hrs
Total: 8 hrs 10 mins
Servings: 24 servings
Yield: 3 quarts

Traditionally, sangria is a red wine punch flavored with fruit and brandy. Though its Spanish origins date back hundreds of years, this punch really became a hit in the U.S. after it was featured at the 1964 World's Fair in New York. Today, it is one of the most popular party drinks with more variations than you can drink in a lifetime.

This recipe is for a basic sangria, made with two bottles of red wine, a little brandy and orange liqueur, a few fruits, and club soda. It's easy and delicious, which is why it's perfect for a gathering. It's also a double-batch sangria that makes 95 ounces of punch, which is enough for 24 4-ounce servings. You will need a large pitcher or bowl to refrigerate the base overnight, as that alone is 63 ounces.

Ingredients

  • 2 (750-milliliter) bottles red wine

  • 1/4 cup brandy

  • 1/3 cup orange curaçao liqueur

  • 1/2 cup simple syrup

  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice, from 1 orange

  • 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, from 1 lemon

  • 1 (1-liter) bottle club soda

  • 1 to 2 oranges, sliced for garnish

  • 1 to 2 lemons, sliced for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for a Basic Red Wine Sangria Punch
    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios
  2. In a large pitcher, add the red wine, brandy, curaçao, simple syrup, and citrus juices. Stir well. For extra flavor, add a few slices of citrus fruit. Refrigerate at least 8 hours, or overnight, to let the flavors marry.

    Basic Red Wine Sangria Punch
    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios
  3. When ready to serve, pour the sangria into a chilled punch bowl with an ice block or ring.

    Basic Red Wine Sangria Punch With Citrus Fruit Ice Ring
    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios
  4. Add the club soda.

    Basic Red Wine Sangria Punch With Citrus Fruit Ice Ring
    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios
  5. Garnish the glasses with orange and lemon slices. Serve and enjoy.

    Basic Red Wine Sangria Punch
    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

Tips

  • Orange curaçao is clear, and most other orange liqueurs will work as a substitute. The one exception is blue curaçao, which will turn the sangria into a really dark, rather unsightly color.
  • Fresh-squeezed citrus juices make a better-tasting sangria over the bottled options. You'll want to stock up on fruit anyway because sangria is designed to be heavily garnished in both the pitcher and glass.
  • If you prefer to serve this from a pitcher, combine two parts of the sangria base with one part soda, adding large ice balls or cubes. Keep the remainder well-chilled and mix the two again when it's time to refill the pitcher.

Recipe Variations

Sangria is one of those drinks that is only limited by your imagination. There are many sangria recipes for you to explore as well; some use white, rosé, or sparkling wine, some prefer tropical fruits or add fresh herbs, and others switch from brandy to another spirit. Use this recipe as inspiration to create your own custom sangria using these suggestions:

  • Rum is a common substitute for brandy in sangria. Whiskey is an interesting choice as well; choose bourbon or a smooth blended whiskey for best results. Tequila and vodka are often best reserved for white wine sangrias.
  • Use 1/4 cup of granulated sugar and stir the sangria until it's completely dissolved. Agave nectar, honey syrup, and other liquid sweeteners are good simple syrup substitutes. Most require a little less; start with 2 ounces and add more to taste.
  • Switch to your favorite clear soda. Ginger ale is a favorite, lemon-lime soda adds a sweet brightness, and sparkling wine is always a fun option.
  • Freeze fruits and herbs into an ice ring to dress up the punch bowl and keep the sangria cool.

What Is the Best Wine for Sangria?

Choose your favorite red wines for this sangria. You can even mix and match the two bottles. For instance, you might choose a jammy, full-bodied cabernet sauvignon and a dry, lighter-bodied pinot noir. You can also go the traditional route and choose Spanish wine; Rioja wines are an excellent choice. There's no need to spend a lot of money, either. Less expensive wines work well because the punch is so flavorful that it will cover up any characteristics that you may not enjoy otherwise.

What Is the Best Brandy for Sangria?

To keep the sangria authentic, use a Spanish brandy, such as brandy de Jerez. However, at such a low volume, the brandy doesn't have a huge impact on sangria. Feel free to pour any brandy you have in the bar.

How Strong Is Sangria?

Even though there's a lot of wine in sangria, it's typically a relatively light punch. This particular recipe, for example, mixes up to an alcohol content of just 8 percent ABV (16 proof). That means you'll be serving a beverage that's stronger than beer, lighter than wine, but with a lot more flavor.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
119 Calories
0g Fat
16g Carbs
1g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 24
Amount per serving
Calories 119
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 4mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 16g 6%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 11g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 50mg 252%
Calcium 41mg 3%
Iron 1mg 3%
Potassium 233mg 5%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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