Summer calls for drinks that match the season — bright, generous, and best enjoyed slowly. Sangria is exactly that. A cold pitcher on the table, fresh fruit bobbing in wine, the kind of drink that turns an ordinary evening into something worth savoring. Born in Spain but embraced across the Mediterranean, sangria shares the same soul as Italian summer dining: simple ingredients, bold flavor, and the pleasure of sharing it all with good company.
Below, we’ve pulled together five of our favorite sangria recipes — spanning bold reds, crisp whites, and sparkling options — so you can bring that same warm, convivial spirit into your own home.
1. Classic Red Wine Sangria
This is the sangria most people picture, deep, fruity, and endlessly refreshing. It pairs wonderfully with grilled dishes and antipasto spreads.
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle dry red wine (a Chianti or Sangiovese works beautifully)
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 apple, cored and diced
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 3 tablespoons brandy
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 cup club soda
How to make: Combine the wine, sliced fruit, brandy, and sugar in a large pitcher. Stir gently until the sugar dissolves. Refrigerate for at least four hours, or overnight if you can wait. Just before serving, top with club soda and pour over ice.
2. White Wine Italian Sangria
Light, floral, and elegant, this white sangria leans into Italian sensibilities with fragrant herbs and stone fruit. It’s the kind of drink that disappears quickly on a sunny patio.
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle Pinot Grigio
- 1 peach, sliced
- 1 cup green grapes, halved
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 2 sprigs fresh basil or mint
- 3 tablespoons limoncello
- Sparkling water to finish
How to make: Add the wine, fruit, herbs, and limoncello to a pitcher. Stir lightly to release the aroma of the basil. Chill for three to four hours, then finish with a splash of sparkling water and plenty of ice. The result is bright, herbaceous, and irresistibly summery.
3. Rosé Sangria
Blush-pink and delicately sweet, rosé sangria feels made for golden-hour gatherings. Berries and a whisper of citrus keep it fresh without overwhelming the wine’s soft character.
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle dry rosé
- 1 cup strawberries, sliced
- 1 cup raspberries
- 1 orange, sliced
- 2 tablespoons elderflower liqueur
- 1 tablespoon honey
How to make: Whisk the honey with the elderflower liqueur until smooth, then pour into a pitcher with the rosé and fruit. Stir gently and refrigerate for at least two hours. Serve over ice with a few extra berries floating on top for color. It’s as lovely to look at as it is to sip.
4. Sparkling Prosecco Sangria
For celebrations, or simply Tuesdays that deserve a little sparkle, this Prosecco sangria brings festive energy to any occasion. The bubbles keep everything lively and light on the palate.
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle Prosecco, chilled
- 1 cup pineapple, cubed
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 cup white grapes
- 2 tablespoons Aperol
- Fresh mint for garnish
How to make: Because bubbles fade, assemble this one just before serving. Add the fruit and Aperol to a pitcher, then pour in the cold Prosecco. Stir once, gently, and garnish with mint. Serve immediately over ice while it’s at its most effervescent.
5. Berry-Citrus Red Sangria
Our final recipe is a fruit-forward twist on the classic, layered with summer berries and a bright citrus kick. It’s the crowd-pleaser you’ll return to all season long.
Ingredients:
- 1 bottle light red wine (a young Barbera is ideal)
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 cup blackberries
- 1 lime, sliced
- 1 orange, sliced
- 3 tablespoons orange liqueur
- 2 tablespoons sugar
How to make: Muddle half the berries with the sugar at the bottom of your pitcher to draw out their juice. Add the remaining fruit, wine, and orange liqueur. Stir, chill for four hours, and serve over ice. Each glass carries a burst of berry sweetness balanced by zesty citrus.
Don’t Feel Like Making Sangria? Come Order One at Assaggio in the North End Today!
Reserve your table with us on our website or call us at 617-227-7380.
