This sangria with vodka comes from an old neighbor of mine who hails from south of the border and let me assure you it is the best red wine sangria recipe out there.
If you enjoy a cold glass of “Fiesta in a Glass” but are hesitant to order it when at a restaurant, I completely get it. More times than not, it’s just not up to par in my book. This recipe has permanently solved that problem because now I can make it at home in just minutes!
You will love this refreshing drink recipe!
🍹The perfect summer drink
This is the simple sangria recipe that helps get me through brutal mid-west winters. I know that when the summer months roll around, sunshine and this homemade sangria will be waiting for me
Make this sangria recipe with vodka or brandy. Or both. We won’t judge.
Like many things that I fall butt over tea-kettle in love with, I have a vivid recollection of my first taste of this authentic, refreshing, and unbelievably delicious drink.
I was at a bona fide dinner party hosted by my friend Edith, an engineer with super-model looks, gourmet chef, and native of Chihuahua.
This easy sangria recipe is affordable and delicious! Did I mention how easy it goes together?
This beverage may have its origins in Spain and Portugal, but as far as I was concerned my friend Edith had just created a brand new eighth wonder, right in the middle of Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin.
It’s that good.
Watermelon, oranges, and peaches are only a few of the bits of summer that you can toss into a pitcher of this easy sangria recipe.
🍑 What’s in it?
- Red Wine
- Orange Juice
- White Soda (7-Up, Sprite, Etc)
- Vodka (and/or)
- Brandi
- Simple Syrup
- Oranges
- Fresh Summer Fruit
Add your favorite summer fruit for extra summery flavor!
- Watermelon
- Peaches
- Apples
- Oranges
- Limes
Pro Kitchen Tip: Leave the orange rinds on for a subtle contrast of flavors!
Several years later, amid a blistering summer, I found myself living in another city.I was en route to a farmer’s market, and suddenly I realized it was a day custom suited for sangria or vice versa. Edith’s red sangria, to be more precise.
I found my old friend’s number and called her from my car; it had been years since we had spoken.
To my delight, she answered immediately, and with equal delight from Edith, she gave me her recipe.
What wine do you use to make sangria?
If you’re wondering what is the best wine for sangria, you don’t want to use the cheapest red wine you can find, but you don’t need to use high-end wine either. Look for a bottle in the $10 range, and you should be good to go.
You can make this drink recipe with brandy, or you can make this sangria recipe with vodka. I’ve been known to use both!
What Can You Add do Bottled Sangria?
Bottled sangria is sometimes great, and sometimes not so much. The good news, you can make a bottled version that tastes good even better! Try adding things like the following, to taste (based on volume.)
- Some fizzy white soda, like Sprite or 7-up
- Some orange juice
- A quarter cup or so of vodka to the bottled sangria
- Brandy works great too!
- A cup or so of red wine
My Biggest Tip for Making Sangria
Serve it cold! Make sure there each glass if filled with ice cubes. Remember, don’t put ice in the pitcher, as this will water it down and dilute the taste.
This homemade sangria is the best that I know of; Try it this summer!
What follows is how I make my red sangria, it’s very close to my friend’s. Every time I make this, I savor the taste of summer. More important, perhaps, this one always makes me relish the wonderful people whose paths have intersected mine through the years.
This recipe is for summer, and all the people, past and present who add brightness and warmth to our lives.
Winter sangria
Mulled Sangria with Fresh Cranberries.
This easy red wine sangria goes well with many of our summer recipes such as our:
If you’ve tried this easy sangria or any other recipe on Platter Talk, please let us know your thoughts in the comments below, we love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW US on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more delicious food and what we have cooking.
📖 Recipe
Vodka Sangria
Ingredients
- 1 bottle inexpensive red wine
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 cup white soda Sprite, Sierra Mist, 7-up, etc
- ½ cup brandy or vodka optional
- 1 tablespoon simple syrup
- 1 orange sliced with peels left on
- 1 cup fresh fruit or melon cubed in ½ inch pieces
Instructions
- Pour liquid ingredients and simple syrup in large pitcher and stir thoroughly.
- Add orange slices and other fruit, stir gently.
- Serve in glass, filled with ice.
Video
Notes
- Prior to serving, avoid putting ice in a pitcher as this dilutes the drink.
- Sangria’s flavor is always enhanced by a glass full of ice, don’t skimp on the ice once it ‘s poured.
- Adjust the amount of simple syrup to the desired level of sweetness.
Unused portions keep well in the fridge.
Nutrition
Updated from the original publication date of Jul 12, 2014
Margie says
What is the best kind of wine to use? I’m pretty clueless when it comes to red wines and would appreciate your suggestions. I just came across your site and I’m so impressed by you and your recipes! Thank you for sharing them! I just made your bread, which was pure heaven!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Hi Margie! For this recipe, you want a red wine that is not the bottom of the barrel but it doesn’t have to be an expensive bottle either. Look for a red blend, or a cabernet, in the $10 to $12 range. A couple of great examples could include Menage a Trois or Joel Gott. Be sure and let us know how you like this sangria recipe1
Rhea Modi says
Hi, I’d really like to make this at home especially during quarantine. While I have most of the ingredients, I don’t have melons. Will it taste as good if I use only apples? Also, can you please specify measurements if I want to have just a glass of wine?
Dan from Platter Talk says
Hi Rhea; apples are fine to use with this sangria. If you want just a glass, then I would use about a half glass of wine, 1/4 OJ and 1/4 white soda (Sprite, 7Up etc.) For good measure, add a shot of vodka or brandy and a pinch of sugar. Enjoy!
Carolyn says
This sounds like the perfect summer drink! I love the color too, it would look so pretty on a table setting!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Thanks so much, Carolyn! I hope you give this red wine sangria a try; you’re going to love!!!
ashley manila says
I can’t wait to try this! Yum!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Be sure and let us know how you like it!
shelby says
I love sangria and summer 🙂 This looks like a refreshing and fun way to enjoy summer evenings with friends!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Thanks so much, Shelby. This red wine sangria is one of our favorite rites of summer!
Madi says
I could so go for a glass of this sangria right now! It looks awesome!
Sandra Shaffer says
The perfect summer cocktail to enjoy with friends and family! I’m with you, the restaurant’s versions are never as tasty as a homemade drink. Cheers to delicious cocktails and forever friends!
michele says
Had so much fruit left over after our trip to the farmers market… this was so delicious! What a great way to use extra fruit and personalize it to what we like!
Jennifer A Stewart says
Sangria is such a summer staple that I love finding ways to customize it! Perfect tips!
Michaela Kenkel says
Nothing better than a good sangria in the summertime!! This recipe is a keeper!
Dan from Platter Talk says
I hope you try this sangria, you’re going to love it!
Angela says
Yesssss please!!!! I think I need to have a pitcher of this sangria in my fridge all summer long!!! Thanks for sharing another fantastic recipe!!!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Give this one a try this summer, Angela! You deserve it!!!
Lois Shantz says
This sounds and looks delicious – a definite must try for our summer here in Arizona. Thanks!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Lois, I hope you try this sangria and I just wish I could have a glass with you! Thanks so much for the comment and thank you for reading Platter Talk!
Xavier Gonzolez says
This is very similar to how my family males their sangria back home in Spain. Thank you for the beautiful recipe!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Thanks for the wonderful feedback, we love this red sangria recipe too!
Dotsy says
I’m going to try this, but I’m not sure what is “simple syrup”?
Dan from Platter Talk says
Dotsy, simple syrup is, well..simple! It is a concentrated sugar and water elixir commonly used for sweetening drinks and other dishes. You can buy it in the store, or just make some yourself. Take a up of water, bring it to a boil, then add a tablespoon or 2 of sugar. Reduce the heat and let the water reduce to a syrupy consistency. That’s simple syrup. This sangria is truly wonderful and so easy to make. If I’m in a rush, I may just stir a little sugar into the pitcher and skip they simple syrup step all together. Thanks for the question and we hope you will tell your friends about Platter Talk. Happy summer and happy sangria!
Dotsy says
Thank you for the quick response. I’m going to make it for Girl’s game night on Wednesday night – I will tell them where I got the recipe! Thanks again!
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
This just screams summer to me! What a wonderful drink to serve guests on a warm day.
Dan from Platter Talk says
Thanks so much, Julie!
swayam says
Beautiful story Dan…you write like me!! 🙂
As for the sangria….it’s one of my customary summer fdrinks too…looks yum.
Thanks so much for linking at #SaucySaturdays
Dan from Platter Talk says
Thank you; I’m glad you enjoy a good Sangria as well!
Dini @ The Flavor Bender says
Wow! This is a beautiful Sangria! I love the story behind it… and the flavors are truly incredible!! 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing this with us for #SaucySaturday!! 🙂
Dan from Platter Talk says
Thank you, Dini!
Christine says
I love that this delicious drink reunited you and your friend. I love that the wine can be cheap. And I am drooling over these pictures. So vibrant and alluring. Thanks for linking up at #SaucySaturdays.
Dan from Platter Talk says
Thank you, Christine. We enjoyed a couple of batches of this on this summer weekend!
Anna and Liz Recipes says
WOW Dan I am just catching up with everyone since I am still in NY this past week. We love Sangria and yours sounds so lovely, bringing the essence of summer.
Kecia'sFlavor Breakthrough says
I adore sangria! I love the watermelon in this one! I will have to try that…
chefmimiblog.com says
Beautiful! I’d never had sangria until my daughter spent a summer in spain. Then she came home and made it for me. She’s still better at it than I am. But I do use a secret ingredient – Fresca!!! Yours/Edith’s looks fabulous!!!
Sandra Shaffer says
This reminds me of the sangria my mom has made. Such a fun summer drink! Great recipe!!
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
Oh this is too perfect! Every year myself and 4 of my college friends meet for a 3 day retreat. I am responsible for food and drink on Saturday evening. We stay in a house on the water—salt water. I am sure you getting the picture how perfect this drink is. I pinned this AND made myself a note. Thank you!!!
Meal Plannin Maven says
Dan… There is nothing more welcome and refreshing on a hot summer day than a fabulous pitcher of sangria! I have actually never tried making my own and am very excited to try yours as I know I will be drinking a glass of pure heaven!
As always, I love the story behind the recipe as well as your captivating photos! Now when are we getting together so we can share a glass along with an amazing meal together???
Dan from Platter Talk says
Linda, If you enjoy sangria, please – try this one. And to answer your second question, soon! Thanks so much for the kind comments.
Joanne DiPalo says
I love Sangria! it’s so flexible, you can use the fruits you have available. Thanks so much for sharing your recipe, will give it a try. Pinned/shared.
Dan from Platter Talk says
Joanne, I hope you try this. Thanks for commenting!
Aunt Bee says
This looks and sounds so refreshing and delicious 🙂
Dan from Platter Talk says
Thanks Aunt Bee!
Patty Anderson says
I love how you incorporated all the elements of the friendship, the weather and the ingredients and interwove them into this great post. And the recipe ain’t to shabby either!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Thanks, Patty. I’d love to share a glass with you.