This easy White Sangria is the perfect mix of citrus fruits, berries, apples, white wine, and bubbly, so it’s ideal for any summer day!
Sangria is the perfect warm-weather drink because it’s light, refreshing, gorgeous and so easy to make! Bonus points are given if you are drinking it poolside!
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What is Sangria?
The refreshing wine-based Sangria drink hails from Spain and it can be many different flavors. However, a traditional white sangria has a few basic ingredients that you must include: dry white wine, fruit, and a sweet liqueur (we use Grand Marnier). The mixture is marinated for a few hours and served cold.
There are a million versions and ours is really flexible based on what type of fruit you have on hand.
I will admit that I’m new-ish to the Sangria game, but now I’m hooked! This version was generously “borrowed” from my sister who is my Sangria aficionado. She makes it all the time, and it’s fantastic, so I had to steal her recipe!
Use this as your base recipe and make it your own with the addition of other fruits and liqueurs. She likes hers a little sweet and I like mine a little zesty, so we have options for both!
Ingredients needed:
This is a list of things you will need for our version, however, remember you can easily mix and match the fruits and liqueur.
- Dry White Wine – Any dry white wine will work such as Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Pinot Grigio, or a dry Spanish wine. Since the wine will be marinating with fruit you can select a less expensive bottle but you’ll still want to choose one that would taste good on its own
- Orange Liqueur – We use Grand Marnier, but Cointreau is a great option too
- Prosecco or Cava – Substitute sparkling water if you want a version with less alcohol
- Powdered sugar and brandy– These are optional and based on how sweet your fruit is and how sweet you like your drinks. You can also sweeten with a dash more orange liqueur
- Fruit – Get creative here because, honestly, everything works! We love oranges, limes, apples, peaches, grapes, mixed berries, and kiwi
How to make White Sangria:
Making sangria is simple, however, it tastes best if the fruit macerates (which is just a fancy name for marinating!) for a few hours, so if you can make it about 4 hours ahead of time definitely do!
- Wash all of the fruit. No need to peel any of it (yea!)
- Slice the citrus (oranges, limes) into thin slices
- Slice the kiwi, peaches, and apples
- Take the tops off of the strawberries and slice them, unless they are very small
- Set aside some of the prettiest fruit for garnish. We usually use lime wheels
- Place all the fruit (except garnish) into a large clear pitcher. (Use a clear pitcher if you can because this drink is drop-dead gorgeous!)
- Add the Grand Marnier (or Cointreau) and the entire bottle of white wine to the pitcher
- If you like it a little sweeter (and especially if the fruit isn’t quite in season) add the powdered sugar and the brandy
- Give everything a gentle stir with a long-handled spoon and let it chill in the refrigerator for about 4 hours (and up to 24-hours)
- Chill the Prosecco, Cava, or sparkling water
- Just before serving add ice to the serving glasses
- Remove the pitcher from the refrigerator, give it another gentle stir and then top it with the Prosecco, Cava, or sparkling water. Give it one more quick stir to blend everything
- Pour the sangria into the glasses, along with some of the fruit, garnish the glasses, and serve cold
Substitution ideas:
Again, mix it up with a variety of fruits! Here are some other ideas:
- Nectarines
- Mango
- Blood oranges
- Pineapple slices
- Watermelon (add this at the end so it doesn’t get too mushy)
- Grapefruit
- Add peach schnapps or triple sec in place of the orange liqueur
- Use flavored bubbly water to give it added fruitiness
Pro Tips:
- This drink tastes better if everything is cold
- A garnish of mint works perfectly and looks pretty!
- Fruit in season is always sweeter so adjust the powdered sugar and brandy accordingly
- Add some of the macerated fruit to the glasses
- These drinks pack a punch so bring down the alcohol level by using sparkling water instead of Prosecco
- Feeling extra fancy? Top with Champagne instead of Prosecco
- Want to keep it authentic? Use a dry Spanish white wine and Cava
- Use a large pitcher. We love this clear glass pitcher to show off the fruit!
What to serve with Sangria
Now that you have the perfect Summer refresher you’ll want some easy but delicious light snacks or dinner to match! Here are some of our top choices:
- Teriyaki Chicken Skewers with a Spicy Peanut Sauce
- Coconut Shrimp with Pineapple Salsa
- Spicy Jerk Chicken
- Chimichurri Shrimp or Chimichurri Steak
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White Sangria Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 apple, thinly sliced
- 1 peach, thinly sliced
- 12 Green grapes, seedless
- 2 lime, sliced
- 2 kiwi, sliced
- 1 cup berries (blackberries, strawberries, blueberries)
- 1 orange, thinly sliced
- 3 ounces Grand Marnier, or Cointreau
- 750 ml dry white wine (1 bottle)
- 1 Tablespoon powdered sugar, optional
- 2 Tablespoons Brandy, optional
- 750 ml Prosecco, Cava, or sparkling water (1 bottle or 26 ounces), very cold
Instructions
- Prep all the fruit. Set some aside for the glasses and as garnishes
- Place all the prepared fruit in a large pitcher
- Add Grand Marnier (or Cointreau) and white wine. Add powdered sugar and brandy, if using, and mix everything gently together with a large spoon
- Chill in the refrigerator for 4 hours – 24 hours
- Add ice and the reserved fruit to serving glasses
- Just before serving add the Prosecco or Cava (or sparkling water) and mix together with a large spoon
- Garnish and serve
Notes
- Don’t add the sparkling wine/water until just before serving in order to make sure the sangria is bubbly
- Adding the powdered sugar is optional, depending on how sweet your fruit is or how sweet you want the sangria
Nutrition
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Amanda Wren-Grimwood
This is the perfect drink for the summer and it’s irresistable with all that fruit!
Rachna
Sangria is my absolute favorite. I generally have it with red wine but I am going to try your recipe.
Deb
White Sangria is so perfect to get the summer going, those photos are so beautiful I want to make this now
Cyndy
We are hooked on the white sangria for summer but red sangria is delicious too!
Farah
Beautiful photography! You make the recipe seem so approachable, thanks for this!
Anita
This is such a refreshing drink on hot days. Perfect for summer brunches, especially when hosting a bunch of girlfriends. 🙂
kushigalu
How beautiful this looks. Love the combo here. Pinned the recipe.