Sangria is a popular Spanish punch that is often served at parties and get-togethers. The classic version is made by mixing red wine with chopped fruit, a sweetener like orange juice or simple syrup, and a splash of brandy or other liquor. However, many people like to put their own spin on sangria by using different fruits, juices, wines, and liquors. If you want to make sangria but don’t want to buy all the ingredients from scratch, you can start with a store-bought sangria and add your own touches.
What is sangria?
Sangria originated in Spain and Portugal. The name comes from the Spanish word “sangre” meaning blood, likely referring to the deep red color of the wine. Traditional sangria contains:
- Red wine – This provides the base flavor and color. Spanish varieties like Tempranillo or Garnacha are commonly used.
- Chopped fruit – Oranges, lemons, limes, apples, peaches, berries, and mango are all common additions. The fruit flavors infuse into the wine.
- Sweetener – Orange juice, simple syrup, or sugar are added to sweeten up the tart wine and fruit.
- Brandy or liquor – A small splash of brandy, rum, cognac, or other liquor provides a kick.
- Soda or sparkling wine – Often sangria is topped off with a splash of soda like ginger ale or lemon-lime soda to make it fizzy. Sparkling wines can also be used.
- Herbs and spices – Cinnamon, star anise, or mint may be added for extra flavor.
The goal is to create a wine punch full of fresh fruit flavor that isn’t too sweet but still mellows out the dryness of the wine. Traditional sangria is meant to be casual, unfussy, and refreshing – not a precise cocktail.
Benefits of using store-bought sangria
Making sangria completely from scratch can take a lot of time and effort to chop all the fruit, mix the ingredients, and let it chill properly. That’s why some people prefer to use a store-bought sangria as a shortcut. Here are some of the benefits of using a pre-made sangria:
- Saves prep time – No need to chop fruit or mix multiple ingredients yourself.
- Consistent flavor – Store-bought brands are carefully crafted for the right balance.
- High quality ingredients – Brands use premium wine and juice.
- Shelf-stable – The bottled sangrias don’t require refrigeration until opened.
- Convenient – Just open and serve for instant sangria.
- More variety – Stores offer different flavor options beyond classic red sangria.
That being said, part of the appeal of sangria is adding your own personalized twist. The bonus with store-bought sangria is that you can start with a good base then customize it further.
What to mix with store-bought sangria
When doctoring up a store-bought sangria, think about the flavors you want to enhance or change. Consider factors like:
- Fruit – Peaches, berries, mango, apple, etc. provide sweetness.
- Juice – Orange, pineapple, grapefruit, etc. also add sweetness and acidity.
- Herbs – Rosemary, basil, mint, lavender add fresh herbal notes.
- Spices – Cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves enhance warmth.
- Liquor – Rum, vodka, gin, tequila contribute boozy complexity.
- Bubbles – Sparkling wine, champagne, or soda make it fizzy.
Here are some easy ways to customize store-bought sangria:
1. Infuse with fresh fruit
One of the simplest ways to improve bottled sangria is to add extra fresh fruit. Try dicing up apples, peaches, nectarines, berries, pineapple, mango, or citrus fruits. You can even use frozen fruit if fresh isn’t available. For example, mix in some frozen mixed berries to give it a berry boost. Let it infuse for at least 2 hours in the refrigerator to allow the fruit flavor to permeate the wine.
2. Use different juices
Most sangrias have an orange juice or citrus base to provide sweetness and acidity. You can change up the flavor profile by substituting part of the orange juice with other juices. Some options include pineapple, grapefruit, cranberry, peach, pear, or grape juice. Start by swapping out 1/4 to 1/3 of the OJ for your juice of choice.
3. Add unique herbs and spices
Herbs and spices add layers of flavor without overwhelming the base sangria. For a Mediterranean twist, add fresh rosemary, basil, or lavender. You can make it minty by adding fresh mint or mint simple syrup. For warmth, infuse cinnamon sticks, star anise pods, cloves, or allspice berries into the sangria. Let them steep for at least 2-3 hours for the best flavor extraction.
4. Splash in different liquors
The right liquor can enhance the complexity of sangria. Consider swapping out some of the wine for liquors like gin, rum, vodka, tequila, cognac, amaretto, or Campari. For example, add 1 part rum and 1 part vodka to 4 parts sangria for a tropical feel. Or add 1 part gin and 1 part Campari to 5 parts sangria for a Negroni-inspired blend. Just take care not to overpower the wine.
5. Make sangria cocktails
You can riff on classic cocktails by using store-bought sangria as the base. For instance, sangria margaritas can be made by mixing sangria with orange liqueur and tequila. Sangria spritzers combine sangria with vodka and club soda. Get creative and come up with your own sangria cocktail combinations!
6. Incorporate beer or cider
For a fun twist, you can cut the sangria with beer or hard cider. This adds complexity from the malts and apples. Opt for lighter beers like lager, wheat beer, blonde ale, or sour beers. Mix the beer or cider in a 1:4 ratio to the sangria. The carbonation also helps make it fizzy without having to add soda.
7. Make it bubbly with sparkling wine
Top off your sangria with sparkling wine or champagne to instantly make it festive and fizzy. The effervescence also helps highlight the sangria’s fruit flavors. Opt for budget-friendly sparkling wines like Spanish Cava, Italian Prosecco, or French Cremant rather than splurging on Champagne. Mix in equal parts sparkling wine and sangria for lots of bubbles.
8. Use nontraditional wines
Sangrias are traditionally made with red wine, but you can also branch out with white wines. For white sangria, try dry Rieslings, Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo, Godello, or Vinho Verde wines. Rosé wines are perfect for summery, fruit-forward sangrias. You can even mix red and white wines together in one sangria.
Recipe ideas
Here are some recipe ideas for sangrias made with store-bought sangria:
Berry Sangria
- 1 bottle (750 ml) store-bought red sangria
- 1 cup blackberries
- 1 cup raspberries
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 apple, diced
- 1⁄4 cup brandy (optional)
- 1⁄4 cup lemon juice
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1 liter ginger ale
Mix all ingredients together in a pitcher and refrigerate for 2 hours. Add ginger ale just before serving.
Sparkling Peach Sangria
- 1 bottle (750 ml) store-bought white sangria
- 2 peaches, diced
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1⁄4 cup Triple Sec
- 1⁄2 cup pineapple juice
- 1 cup sparkling wine or Prosecco
Combine everything except sparkling wine in a pitcher. Refrigerate for 1 hour, then gently stir in sparkling wine before serving.
Pomegranate Sangria
- 1 bottle (750 ml) store-bought pomegranate sangria
- 1 cup pomegranate seeds
- 1 Granny Smith apple, diced
- 1 orange, sliced
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1⁄4 cup rum (optional)
Mix everything in a pitcher and refrigerate for 4 hours to overnight before serving.
Non-alcoholic sangria
You can also make non-alcoholic sangrias by mixing fruit juice with soda, ginger ale, sparkling water, tea, or other non-alcoholic beverages. Here are some recipe ideas:
Sparkling Grape Sangria
- 4 cups red grape juice
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 lime, sliced
- 1 apple, diced
- 1 cup sparkling water
- 1⁄4 cup honey
- Fresh mint
Mix grape juice, fruit, honey, and sparkling water. Garnish with mint.
Peach Iced Tea Sangria
- 5 cups brewed peach iced tea
- 1 peach, diced
- 1 nectarine, diced
- 1 plum, diced
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Fresh basil
Mix ingredients together, refrigerate for 1 hour, and garnish with basil.
Tips for the best sangria
Here are some tips to get the most out of your homemade sangria:
- Cut larger fruits like apples into small pieces so the flavors infuse better.
- Use fresh, ripe fruit in season for ideal flavor.
- Refrigerate for 1-2 hours to allow the ingredients to meld together.
- Add delicate herbs just before serving to preserve their flavor.
- Adjust sweetness to taste with juice or simple syrup.
- Use flavored syrups or liqueurs to layer more complex flavors.
- Top off with sparkling wines or soda just before serving.
- Serve chilled – sangria tastes best icy cold.
- Pair it with light appetizers like cheese, fruits, and nuts.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 1-2 days.
Conclusion
With so many flavor possibilities, the options are endless when making homemade sangria using a store-bought bottle as your base. The key is to think about the flavor profile you want – whether it’s citrusy, fruity, sweet, or herbal. Infuse it with your choice of fresh fruits, juices, herbs, and liquors. Top it off with bubbles for an instant fiesta. Whip up a big pitcher full to share at your next celebration or sangria-sipping session.