Sangria with Vodka
on Jul 04, 2019, Updated Jul 28, 2020
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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!
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🍹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
ike 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 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.
🍑 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 to Bottled Sangria?
Bottled sangria is sometimes great and sometimes not so much. The good news is that you can make a bottled version that tastes 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 each glass is filled with ice cubes. Remember, don’t put ice in the pitcher, which will water it down and dilute the taste.
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.
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.
Seasonal Sangria
- Apple Cider Sangria – This fall drink features fresh apple cider mixed with some applejack brandy and sweet white wine. Try this refreshing fall drink!
- Slow Cooker Mulled Sangria – This holiday drink features red wine combined with orange juice, honey and seasonal spices like star anise, cinnamon, and cloves. Make this for your next Chirstmas party.
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Vodka Sangria
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 bottle, inexpensive red wine
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 cup white soda, Sprite, Sierra Mist, 7-up, etc
- 1/2 cup brandy or vodka, optional
- 1 tablespoon simple syrup
- 1 orange, sliced with peels left on
- 1 cup fresh fruit or melon, cubed in 1/2 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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Updated from the original publication date of Jul 12, 2014
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!
Sangria is such a summer staple that I love finding ways to customize it! Perfect tips!
Nothing better than a good sangria in the summertime!! This recipe is a keeper!
I hope you try this sangria, you’re going to love it!
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!!!
Give this one a try this summer, Angela! You deserve it!!!
This sounds and looks delicious – a definite must try for our summer here in Arizona. Thanks!
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!
This is very similar to how my family males their sangria back home in Spain. Thank you for the beautiful recipe!
Thanks for the wonderful feedback, we love this red sangria recipe too!
I’m going to try this, but I’m not sure what is “simple syrup”?
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!
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!
This just screams summer to me! What a wonderful drink to serve guests on a warm day.
Thanks so much, Julie!
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
Thank you; I’m glad you enjoy a good Sangria as well!
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!! 🙂
Thank you, Dini!