Homemade Sangria Recipes

Now that the summer is almost here, there's no better cocktail to serve on the lazy, hazy days than homemade Sangria. Even though Sangria originated in Spain it is a favorite American summer time cocktail.

Traditional Sangria is made from a red wine. If white wine is preferred, it is usually called Sangria Blanca. Either is usually served and made in a 1-liter pitcher or other 1-liter container roomy enough to hold all the ingredients. Sangria is also served informally in punchbowls at social gatherings.

Here are some of the best homemade Sangria recipes:

Lambrusco Sangria

Ingredients:

3 liters Lambrusco

16 ounces No-pulp Orange Juice

6 ounces Crème de Cassis

2 ounces Grappa

2 ounces Triple Sec

Directions:

Mix all ingredients in a pitcher and still well. Chill for 1 hour. Serve cold.

Bobby Flay's Famous Sangria

Ingredients:

3/4 cup simple syrup, equal parts sugar and water
2 bottles red wine
3/4 cup brandy
1/2 cup triple sec
3/4 cup orange juice
2 oranges, sliced into thin round
2 green apples, cored and sliced thin
2 lemons, sliced into thin rounds

Directions:

Boil water + pour over sugar to dissolve. Cool. Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher and refrigerate, covered, 2 hours or up to 2 days. Serve over ice.

Sangria Blanca

Ingredients:

Bottle of White wine

1 Lemon cut into wedges

1 Orange cut into wedges

1 Lime cut into wedges

2 Tbsp sugar

1/4 Cup of orange juice

1 Cup of sliced strawberries or raspberries (optional)

1 Shot brandy or gin

2 Cups ginger ale, lemon/lime or club soda

Directions:

Pour wine in the pitcher and squeeze the juice from the lemon, lime and orange wedges into the wine. Toss in the fruit wedges (leaving out as many seeds as possible). Add sugar and brandy.
Chill overnight (recommended). If you can't, see below. Add ginger ale, lemon/lime or club soda just before serving. Pour over a small amount of ice in your favorite glasses. If you'd like to serve right away, use chilled red wine and serve over lots of ice.

Hint: Remember that the best Sangrias are chilled around 24 hours in the refrigerator - allowing the flavors to really marinate into each