When I was in Spain, Brian and I had to have sangria every night with dinner. We loved comparing different restaurants and different parts of the country. We never met a sangria we didn’t like, but I promise you that they were all so different! This simple red wine sangria comes closest to our favorite Spanish sangrias.
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What goes into a sangria?
We never had two sangrias that tasted the same! Some sangrias use brandy and some use rum. The red wine between sangrias differed as well. When I am looking for a red wine here in the states to use in my sangria, I look for something bold and from Spain. Maybe try a Rioja, tempranillo, or a Garnacha – don’t buy anything fancy for this drink! However, don’t buy wine that’s going to give you a headache the next day. I am usually not organized enough to go out ahead of time for wine shopping so I just use what I have on hand. Don’t overthink it – you can’t really mess this up.
Don’t Forget The Fruit
For fruit, I usually use apples, oranges, and lemons – although I saw all different fruits when we were in Spain. You can’t go wrong with fruit soaked in alcohol.
I am a fan of a little cinnamon flavor so, if you have cinnamon sticks, you can add those in with the fruit.
Are All Sangrias Sweet?
There was definitely a sweetness to most of the sangrias we tasted and, in some of the pitchers, as we stirred it, you could still feel some sugar scratching around the bottom of the pitcher a bit. Because, also, of course, we got pitchers of Sangria. Ordering just a glass of sangria shows a lack of commitment, right?
I like to use demerara sugar in my sangria. It is a darker, coarser sugar and I think it’s perfect in a simple red wine sangria.
The last ingredient you need for a simple red wine sangria is orange juice. That’s it! Either squeeze the juice of a couple of oranges and add in the rinds to the pitcher, or use orange juice out of your refrigerator.
Sangria is basically just a few straightforward ingredients – fruit, fruit juice, sugar, rum (or brandy), and red wine. That’s it. Combine these ingredients, chill, and serve over ice!
It can’t get any easier! Make a pitcher of this simple sangria and invite me over …
Simple, Simple, Simple
Simple Red Wine Sangria
This simple red wine sangria will bring you a taste of Spain!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 bottles Spanish red wine
- 2 - 3 tbsp demerara sugar
- 2 oranges juiced - about 1 cup
- 1 apple chopped
- 1 lemon sliced
- 1 1/2 c brandy (or dark rum)
Instructions
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Juice two oranges. Chop up the orange rinds and add to the pitcher.
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Add 1 chopped apple, the orange rinds, and 1 sliced lemon to a large pitcher.
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Add 3 tablespoons of sugar to the fruit and muddle.
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Add orange juice, red wine, and brandy. Stir.
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Chill!
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Serve over ice.
My other favorite sangrias …
Strawberry and Meyer Lemon Sangria
Other Favorite Spanish posts …
Patatas Bravas: A Taste of Spain
Barcelona With Kids: Food and Fun
How To Make A Perfect Cheese Board
