The Perfect Red Sangria Recipe

This post is brought to you by J.Lohr Vineyards & Wines. 

In my world, sangria and family go hand in hand.

From Christmases to Thanksgivings to random Sunday nights, sangria is a staple at all of my family gatherings. There’s just something comforting about making and enjoying the delicious beverage, and I love that everyone has a story behind the recipe they make. 

My dad loves sangria and orders it all the time at restaurants when we go out to eat. One year when I came home from college for Thanksgiving, he asked me to make a sangria that tasted like the drinks he would get at his favorite restaurants. I accepted the challenge, found a recipe online, put my own spin on it (as I do with most recipes- food and wine), and have been making a rendition of that red sangria recipe for my family ever since. 

The sangria that I make always consists of a dry to off-dry wine, a spirit, a fruit juice, fruits and something bubbly. It’s always a hit, never the same (I tend to be a freestyle mixologist), and consistently better than the last batch. 

You may also like: Strawberry Mango Rosé Sangria

I recently went home to visit my parents at their house in Florida and had multiple requests to make my famous sangria! We had friends and family over all weekend, so it was the perfect time to try out my new and improved recipe. This time, featuring J. Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon and, wait for it…orange soda!

This was the first time I’ve used a Cabernet to make a sangria, but this particular Cab worked beautifully. With notes of intense black currant, cherry and cocoa powder, it gave the red sangria a rich and complex taste that was unique and refreshing.

I took to the kitchen to work my magic, and ended up with one of the best sangrias I’d ever made. The J. Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon married with ripe fruits, apple juice, citrus, and bubbly orange soda created the perfect fruity, sweet, and slightly bubbly libation.

Upon serving it, my family and friends were blown away! I heard “this is the best sangria I’ve ever had” from several people, and everyone was sipping their glasses with big smiles on their face. By the end of the night, I ended up making four batches of this recipe, yes four, and the only reason why it wasn’t five is because we ran out of wine!

This recipe brought everyone so much joy, and that’s why I’m so excited to share it with you. This red sangria would be the perfect accompaniment to BBQ, paella, veggie skewers, pizza, and more. 

What’s the story behind your go-to sangria recipe? I’d love to hear! Comment below.

Thanks so much for reading and sharing.

The Perfect Red Sangria Recipe

Total Time: 15-20 mins
Servings: 6 

Ingredients

• 1 bottle of J. Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon
• 1 cup brandy
• Homemade simple syrup: 2/3 cup water + 1/2 cup coconut sugar (or sugar of your choice)
• 1 cup fresh apple juice
• 1/2 cup orange soda (I used diet orange soda)
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 red or green apple, sliced
• 1.5 limes, sliced (save other half of second lime for garnishing)
• 1/4 cup strawberries, sliced
• 1/3 cup cubed pineapple 
• Club soda or lemon lime soda to top (optional)

Instructions

• Make your homemade simple syrup. Heat up 1/2 cup water on low and add your sugar of choice in a saucepot. Stir with a wooden spoon or whisk until sugar is completely dissolved (1-2 minutes). Remove from stove. 
• Wash and slice apples, strawberries,  orange, pineapple and limes. Put into your pitcher (reserve half of lime for garnishing). 
• Pour brandy and simple syrup over fruit. Stir until all fruit is covered.
• Pour in J. Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon, apple juice and orange soda. 
• Stir everything together and sit in the fridge to chill for at least 1 hour.
• Pour over ice, add a splash of your choice of bubbly drink (club soda, lemon-lime soda or orange soda) and enjoy with friends and family!

Cheers,