Delicious & Refreshing Strawberry Sangria: Your Ultimate Summer Sip

Strawberry Sangria is a vibrant, fruity, and incredibly refreshing drink that perfectly captures the essence of summer. Mixing the juicy sweetness of fresh strawberries with the bright tang of clementines, a pitcher of this sangria is an absolute must-have for a warm summer day, a lively backyard BBQ, or any casual get-together. It’s not just a drink; it’s an experience!

Ah, summer! Just yesterday, Chicago blessed us with a balmy 85 degrees. While we know these warm temperatures might not be here to stay for good just yet, we’ll gladly embrace every glorious sun-drenched day that comes our way. And what better way to celebrate the arrival of sunshine and longer days than with a tall, frosty glass of fruity sangria?

For me, the love affair with sangria began many summers ago during an unforgettable trip to Barcelona, Spain. I can still vividly recall those evenings spent on Las Ramblas, sipping pitchers of deep red sangria, watching the world go by, and indulging in delicious tapas late into the night. It was pure bliss—a moment when life truly felt as good as it gets. That incredible summer sparked my lifelong passion for sangria, paella, and, of course, the ever-addictive patatas bravas.

This Strawberry Sangria recipe brings a touch of that Spanish magic right to your home, but with a lighter, more summery twist. It’s simple to prepare, bursting with flavor, and utterly delightful.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Strawberry Sangria

There are countless reasons why this particular Strawberry Sangria will become your go-to summer beverage:

Effortlessly Refreshing: The combination of fresh fruit and crisp wine creates an incredibly revitalizing drink, perfect for beating the summer heat.
Bursting with Flavor: Sweet strawberries and tangy clementines infuse the wine with natural, vibrant flavors that are simply irresistible.
Easy to Make: With just a few simple steps, you can create a beautiful and delicious pitcher of sangria that looks and tastes impressive.
Customizable: This recipe is incredibly flexible! You can easily swap out fruits, adjust sweetness, or even change the type of sparkling water to suit your taste.
A Built-in Snack: One of the best things about sangria is the wine-soaked fruit at the bottom of your glass—it’s like a delightful dessert!
Crowd-Pleaser: Whether you’re hosting a large gathering or enjoying a quiet evening, sangria is always a hit with guests. It’s a drink that encourages shared enjoyment and good conversation.

Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Strawberry Sangria

Crafting the perfect pitcher of sangria starts with selecting fresh, high-quality ingredients. For this recipe, we focus on the bright flavors of strawberries and clementines, complemented by a crisp wine and a touch of fizz.

Fresh Strawberries

These are the stars of our sangria! Choose ripe, vibrant red strawberries. They should be firm but not hard, with a sweet aroma. Strawberries not only lend their beautiful color but also infuse the wine with their natural sweetness and delicate fruity notes. Be sure to wash them thoroughly, hull, and slice them before adding them to your pitcher.

Clementines (or Oranges)

Clementines add a wonderful bright, citrusy counterpoint to the sweetness of the strawberries. Their easy-to-peel nature makes them convenient, and their segments look beautiful in the sangria. If clementines aren’t in season or readily available, regular oranges work just as well—simply use two medium-sized oranges instead of a handful of clementines. Don’t forget to slice a few extra pieces for garnish!

White Wine or Rosé

For a lighter, more refreshing sangria, a dry white wine or a crisp rosé is ideal. Look for varieties like Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or a dry rosé. You don’t need to break the bank on an expensive bottle; just choose a wine that you enjoy drinking on its own. The fruit will elevate its flavor. Avoid overly sweet wines, as they might make the sangria cloyingly sweet once the fruit is added.

Sparkling Water (or Flavored Soda)

This is where the fizz comes in! We love using a berry-flavored sparkling water, such as Berry Lacroix, as it complements the strawberry notes perfectly without adding too much extra sugar. However, feel free to get creative! Lemon-lime sparkling water, plain club soda, or even a clear lemon-lime soda can work wonders. The effervescence lightens the drink and adds a delightful texture.

Optional Sweetener

Depending on the sweetness of your fruit and wine, you might want to add a touch of extra sweetness. A simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water, heated until dissolved and then cooled) is perfect, or you can stir in a spoonful or two of granulated sugar until dissolved. Taste your sangria before adding any sweetener—you might find it’s perfect as is!

Optional Liqueurs

For an extra layer of complexity and a bit more kick, consider adding a splash of brandy, Triple Sec, or Cointreau. These orange-flavored liqueurs often complement fruit-based sangrias beautifully, adding warmth and depth.

How to Make Strawberry Sangria: A Simple Guide

Making this delightful Strawberry Sangria is incredibly straightforward. The key is allowing enough time for the flavors to meld beautifully. Here’s how you do it:

Prepare the Fruit: Start by washing and hulling your fresh strawberries, then slice them into halves or quarters, depending on their size. Peel the clementines and separate them into segments. If using oranges, slice them into thin rounds.
Muddle (Optional but Recommended): For an even richer fruit flavor, place about half of the sliced strawberries and clementine segments into your pitcher. Gently muddle them with a wooden spoon for a few seconds. This helps release their juices and aromas, intensifying the sangria’s flavor profile. Add the remaining fruit to the pitcher.
Combine with Wine: Pour the bottle of white wine (or rosé) into the pitcher over the fruit. If you’re using any optional liqueurs like brandy or Triple Sec, add them now as well.
Sweeten (If Desired): Give the mixture a good stir. Taste it. If you prefer it sweeter, stir in simple syrup or granulated sugar until it dissolves and reaches your desired level of sweetness.
Chill Thoroughly: This step is crucial! Cover the pitcher and refrigerate it for at least 2-4 hours. For the best flavor infusion, chilling it overnight (8-12 hours) is highly recommended. The longer it chills, the more the fruit flavors will meld with the wine, creating a wonderfully complex drink.
Add Fizz and Serve: Just before serving, pour in your chosen sparkling water (e.g., Berry Lacroix). Give it a gentle stir. Fill glasses with plenty of ice, then ladle in the sangria, making sure each glass gets a generous portion of the fruit. Garnish with fresh mint or extra fruit slices if you like.

Tips for the Perfect Pitcher Every Time

Don’t Rush the Chill: The most important tip for any sangria is to let it chill. The flavors need time to marry and develop. Resist the urge to serve it immediately!
Choose Ripe Fruit: The riper your strawberries and clementines, the sweeter and more flavorful your sangria will be.
Taste and Adjust: Always taste your sangria before serving. You might want to add more sweetener, a squeeze of fresh lime juice for extra zing, or even a bit more wine if it’s too sweet.
Add Sparkling Water Last: To maintain maximum fizz, always add the sparkling water or soda right before you serve the sangria.
Ice is Your Friend: Serve sangria over plenty of ice to keep it perfectly chilled, especially on a hot day.
Garnish Generously: A few extra slices of fresh fruit, a sprig of mint, or even a lemon twist can elevate the presentation of your sangria, making it even more inviting.
Wine Quality Matters (to a point): You don’t need an expensive wine, but choose one you would genuinely enjoy drinking. If you wouldn’t drink it on its own, it likely won’t magically taste better in sangria.

Exciting Variations and Substitutions

The beauty of sangria lies in its versatility. Feel free to experiment with different combinations to find your perfect blend!

Different Fruits:
- Mixed Berry Sangria: Add raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries alongside (or instead of) strawberries.
- Peach & Strawberry: Sliced fresh peaches add a lovely sweetness and aroma.
- Kiwi & Lime: For a more tropical, tangy twist.
Wine Alternatives:
- Rosé Sangria: A dry rosé works wonderfully, offering a beautiful color and crisp flavor.
- Sparkling Sangria: Use Prosecco or Cava instead of still white wine for a bubbly base. Add the sparkling wine just before serving.
- Red Wine Sangria: While this recipe focuses on a lighter style, a light-bodied red wine like Pinot Noir can also be used, giving a more traditional sangria feel.
Liqueur Boost: Enhance the flavor with a splash of Grand Marnier, Cointreau (orange liqueurs), or even a berry liqueur like Chambord.
Herbal Touch: Muddle a few fresh mint leaves or a sprig of basil with the fruit for an aromatic layer.
Sparkling Swap: Instead of plain sparkling water, try ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, or even a flavored tonic water.
Non-Alcoholic Version: For a refreshing mocktail, substitute the wine with sparkling white grape juice, non-alcoholic sparkling cider, or a good quality cranberry juice.

Serving Suggestions for Your Sangria

Strawberry Sangria is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a variety of occasions and foods:

Backyard BBQs: The ultimate thirst quencher alongside grilled meats, corn on the cob, and potato salad.
Brunches: A festive addition to a weekend brunch spread, especially with lighter fare like quiches and fruit salads.
Pool Parties & Patio Dinners: Keep a pitcher chilled for easy entertaining outdoors.
Tapas Evenings: Recreate that Spanish vibe by serving it with small plates like patatas bravas, gambas al ajillo, or bruschetta.
Light Meals: Complements grilled chicken or fish, fresh salads, and light pasta dishes beautifully.

Storing Leftover Sangria

If by some miracle you have any leftover sangria, you can store it in an airtight pitcher or container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Keep in mind that the fruit will continue to soften and may start to get mushy after a day or two, but the flavors will still be delicious. For best results, remove the fruit after 24 hours if you plan to store it longer, or simply enjoy it all within a day or two!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Strawberry Sangria

What kind of wine is best for strawberry sangria?

A dry, crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or an unoaked Chardonnay works beautifully. A dry rosé is also an excellent choice, offering a lovely color and balanced flavor. Avoid very sweet wines, as the fruit will add plenty of natural sweetness.

How long should sangria chill?

For the best flavor, sangria should chill for at least 2-4 hours. However, letting it sit overnight (8-12 hours) in the refrigerator allows the fruit flavors to fully meld with the wine, resulting in a much more complex and delicious drink.

Can I make sangria ahead of time?

Absolutely! Sangria is one of those drinks that benefits greatly from being made ahead. Prepare the fruit and wine mixture the day before your event, chill it overnight, and then add the sparkling water just before serving for optimal fizz.

Can I use frozen strawberries?

Yes, you can use frozen strawberries. They work well, especially if fresh ones aren’t in season. They’ll also help keep the sangria extra cold without diluting it too much. Just be aware that their texture will be softer once thawed, and they might release more liquid.

What’s the difference between sangria and fruit punch?

The main difference is the base. Sangria is traditionally wine-based, often with added spirits and chopped fresh fruit. Fruit punch, on the other hand, is typically non-alcoholic, made with a combination of fruit juices, soda, and sometimes fresh fruit.

So, go ahead and treat yourself and your loved ones to a pitcher of this delightful Strawberry Sangria. It’s the perfect companion for making new summer memories. Cheers to good company, warm weather, and delicious sips!

Save your favorite recipes to your personal recipe box with the button on all my recipes! Create a Meal Plan with your “favorited” recipes and the ingredients will automatically be added to your own Grocery List!

For more drink recipes, be sure to check out my Drinks to Sip On Pinterest board!

I would love to connect with you on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Google + and Instagram.

Cheers to Friday!

Julia