Big Batch Red Sangria for a Crowd (Pitcher Recipe)

Quick Summary: Quick Summary: A pitcher recipe for red sangria that serves 12, made with red wine, brandy, orange liqueur, cherry syrup, and sliced citrus. Prepare it ahead and top with something bubbly before serving. Prep: 10 min + 1 hr chill | Serves: 12

Jump to: Recipe | Tips for Making Best Sangria | Best Sweetener | Best Wine for Sangria | Fruit & Spices | Complementary Liqueurs | FAQ

Sangria is perfect for parties because it’s inexpensive, easy to scale, and improves as it sits. This red sangria uses a dry red wine with cherry undertones, sliced citrus, brandy, and a cherry-flavored syrup for sweetness. Make it the morning of your gathering and let the flavors meld in the refrigerator until guests arrive.

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How to Make the Best Sangria

1. Soak the citrus fruit for a whole day in Rum, Triple Sec, Brandy or some other spirit. It makes a difference to really get the fruit infused into the wine. If you are in a rush you can microwave the fruit and liquor for 30 seconds but it’s a shabby second to letting it slowly infuse.
2. Many recipes include a variety of fruits (like peaches or strawberries).  The classic Spanish sangria only includes citrus and if you want to be true to the form, stick with citrus.
3. Fill the glass with ice first and then use a pitcher that has a strainer on the spout. If you use a regular pitcher you’ll keep filling everyone’s glass with large chunks of fruit or ice.
4. Slice the fruit or cut into large wedges.  Don’t chop or mince the fruit.  It doesn’t look attractive in the pitcher, and it won’t infuse into the wine in the same way.b
5. Use inexpensive wines.  The fruit and sugar will mask any of the subtle flavors an expensive wine.
6. If the sangria is too sweet, add some more wine (a dry wine like merlot or cabernet).  You can also add some lemon juice.
7. If the sangria is too sour, add a can of orange soda or lemon-lime soda
8. If the sangria is too “winey”, add some flavorings.  Examples might include:  cinnamon sticks, fruit flavored rum, ginger ale, tawny port, orange liqueur (like triple sec), or fruity drink syrups.

What is the Best Sweetener for Sangria?

Simple syrups (sugar and water heated and dissolved) or fruit syrups (a simple syrup with added fruit juice) are typically used to sweeten Sangria.

*Tip: If you are using simple syrups, taste as you go because many of the spirits used in Sangria (like Triple Sec) can be full of sugar also and you may get a sangria that is overly sweet.

Shrub syrups are fruit simple syrups with the addition of vinegar (aka drinking vinegars). They tend to be more tangy and less sweet and are often infused with spices or herbs. Shrub syrups often offer that “secret ingredient” mystique for the adventursome.

This primer on shrub syrups is a good start if you want some details on making your own shrub syrups.

Best Red Wine for Sangria

Since sangria hails from Spain, a Spanish red wine is most often recommended. Rioja or anything with a garnacha or tempranillo grape is perfect. It certainly does not have to be a Spanish wine to be great sangria however.

I like to use a dry red wine with cherry undertones (Syrah or Pinot Noir is good). Just know that the fruit, the other liqueurs, and the sweetener mask any nuances of the wine, so an inexpensive wine is fine.

Typical Fruit and Spices

The standard fruit for a Spanish sangria would include citrus, and sometimes green apples. Many recipes include a variety of fruits (like peaches or strawberries) and the beauty of sangria is that it is so easy to customize.

While oranges, lemons and other citrus is the most classic, you might prefer to use the fruit that is in season in your area. It certainly will not make the drink less wonderful!

Cinnamon sticks are often added and make great stir sticks. I like the addition of star anise or ginger slices also. Just use a pitcher with a strainer on the spout so people don’t end up with big chunks of fruit and spices and not enough of the actual beverage!

Alcohol Additions in Sangria

• Brandy is the most common alcoholic addition to sangria. Cognac can be substituted but remember that the nuances of expensive ingredients will be masked by the sweetness. Sangria is sometimes referred to as a “wine punch” and doesn’t need fine wines and liqueurs.
• Orange liqueur: Triple sec is often added to sangria to enhance the flavor of the citrus
• Something bubbly: It is typical to top off a chilled glass of sangria with something bubbly right before serving. Sparkling water, ginger ale, sparkling wine, champagne, Prosecco, are some options, but really anything with bubbles is good.

How to Make Red Sangria

The ingredient and recipe details are listed in the recipe card below. In short, combine two bottles of red wine with brandy, orange liqueur, cherry syrup, and sliced citrus in a large pitcher. Chill for at least an hour (overnight is better). Add sparkling water or wine just before serving and garnish with fresh mint.

How to Serve:

Chill the pitcher of sangria in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (more is even better) before serving. It will help the myriad of flavors from the fruit, spices and alcohol meld together.

If you have a large pitcher, lay out the glasses, the ice, and some bubbly soda or bubbly wine and allow people to self serve. Serve the sangria over ice, topping off each glass with a splash of bubbly.

FAQ

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