You just need some fresh ingredients and a bottle of good wine to make this festive, fruity drink. With our Rose Sangria recipe, you'll make summer evenings deliciously memorable.
Summer is Sangria Season!
When summertime starts and you feel that warm summer breeze, it’s finally time for outdoor barbecues, pool parties, and days at the beach. It’s also the perfect time for classic summer cocktails! Our Rose Sangria recipe is sure to hit the spot.
Made with dry rosé, oranges, and raspberries – and topped with sparkling water – you can easily make this Rose Sangria recipe in larger quantities. It's so delicious, you'll need the extra Sangria at your summer get-togethers. It’s a refreshing and festive way to celebrate summer!
The Sangria Legacy
Sangria is synonymous with Spain's culture and food, and tourists love to order the drink. However, it's pretty different from the drink served in the U.S. Spanish locals have their own version of the popular drink. The versions that we know (and love!) are modern variations of the original.
In Spain, the drink commonly served as Sangria is called “Tinto de Verano” and consists of red wine, lime soda or sweetened soda water, and ice. Most bartenders will throw in some orange slices and a splash of vermouth or some other spirits and call it Sangria.
So, although Sangria has its heart in Spain, these days, it's more of a U.S. concoction.
Is Rose Sangria Stronger Than Wine?
Made with rosé wine and fresh fruit, the Rose Sangria may look like a "girly drink," but this bright and colorful cocktail can pack a potent punch!
The alcohol content of a Rose Sangria depends on how you make it. Rosé alone has an alcohol content of around 12% alcohol by volume (ABV) for a medium-sized glass. However, if you decide to spike the cocktail with some peach brandy, gin, or vodka, this will change.
When you add more than a delicious sparkle to your Sangria with rose wine and spike it with spirits, the alcohol content will go up fast. Because it's a light and fresh mix, Sangria tends to go down much easier, which means you can get intoxicated more quickly – so watch out!
Also, remember that with any drink that contains alcohol, it's best to always drink in moderation.
What Type of Wine is Best for Sangria?
Making Sangria isn't overly complicated and doesn't require the best wines to bring out a good flavor (although a quality wine does add another level of flavor.)To make the best Sangria, use a great wine – a dry Spanish wine is usually an excellent choice for most Sangria recipes.
You can always experiment with wines. However, it is best to use a wine you like and have already used before. Stick to drier wines, though, since you'll be adding sweetness to this drink, and a sweet wine may make it too sweet.
Although red wine is traditionally used, some Sangria recipes call for white or rosé wine. As always, stick to fresh fruit and more natural ingredients. The quality of ingredients will drastically affect the flavor of your creation.
Here are some wines we recommend for a good Sangria:
Red wines:
- Grenache
- Tempranillo
- Zinfandel
- Red blends (Spanish style blends or a Rhone Blend)
White wines:
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Chablis (or a dry unoaked Chardonnay)
- Albarino
- Pinot Gris
Rosé:
- Grenache Rosé
- Cava
- Prosecco
Rose Sangria Recipe
Rose wine incorporates some of the color of the grape skins, but not enough to be called a red. Because it has a lighter flavor than red wine, rosé is perfect for a fresh Sangria.
You can easily modify this homemade rose wine Sangria recipe to suit your taste. Replace the Rosé wine with red or white, or make a Rose Sangria with brandy, gin, or vodka for an extra kick!
Quick and easy, this Rose Sangria recipe makes around six servings. You can easily whip up double (or more!) and store pitchers of your cocktail in a refrigerator before serving. Simply stir the contents a bit before serving it to your guests.
Ingredients
- 1 bottle of dry Spanish rosé wine
- 1 c. of freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 c. of freshly sliced strawberries
- 3/4 c. of gin or vodka
- 1 c. of raspberries
- 1 c. of sparkling water
- A handful of fresh mint leaves
- Simple syrup (Make it by combining equal parts of sugar and water, bringing it to a boil, and cooling it)
Directions
Combine wine, gin, orange juice, and strawberries in a large pitcher. Chill for about 2 hours in the refrigerator. Once fully chilled, remove from the fridge and check the flavor for sweetness. If you prefer a sweeter taste, add more orange juice or simple syrup.
Top with sparkling water and garnish with raspberries and mint leaves. Serve in individual glasses or mugs over ice. If you want to pretty up the drink even more, make round, slow-melting ice balls with an ice ball maker. Serve and enjoy!
Top Sangria-Making Tips
Here are some helpful tips to get the most out of your Sangria recipe:
#1. Make it ahead of time
Make your Sangria mix 2 hours or more before serving. This drink tastes better when it’s made ahead of time, so the fruit can mix thoroughly with the rest of the ingredients and absorb the flavors.
#2. Allow your Sangria to chill
Making this drink ahead of time also gives the ingredients time to chill thoroughly (a vital part of a refreshing summer drink!). The longer a Sangria sets, the better it will taste. So, try not to rush it. Allow the flavors to mix and the drink to chill to perfection at the same time.
#3. Stir it up before serving
As you are about to add ice and finish off the Sangria, stir the contents again to make sure the flavors are thoroughly blended.
#4. Add some extra fresh fruit
Add some fresh fruit to your Sangria before serving. Fruit that soaks in the liquid may get soggy, so a few pieces of fresh fruit will give it a revised crispness. Spoon a few pieces of fresh fruit into each glass before you serve it to your guests.
#5. Choose your wine carefully
As with any recipe, the ingredients can make it or break it. Since this drink is loaded with fruit and fruit juices, a sweet wine may be too much. Choose a good dry wine; it doesn't have to be a fancy or expensive one!
Start Your Sangria Summer Today!
Sangria takes the best from the world of wine and the fresh fruit flavors from the nearest farmer's market. Packed with flavor, this drink can be as fancy or as fun as you want to make it. Keep it light by sticking to rosé, or boost your beverage with an extra shot of gin or vodka.
Any way you serve it, this Rose Sangria recipe will make your summer parties simmer with fun. So, get out to your local farmer's market and find all the fruit you need to make some Rose Sangria. It's a cocktail your guests will never forget!