Rose Sangria

Here’s how to make rose sangria! Just a handful of ingredients and fruit make a light and fruity summer drink that everyone will be talking about.

There’s red sangria and white sangria…so why not rose sangria? This sangria made with rosé wine is so light and refreshing, so filled with fruity, delicate flavor, that it’s jumped to the top of our favorites list. It’s perfect for summer entertaining, be it a lazy afternoon, pool party, lake house or dinner party drink. Sangria is so often made with too much sugar, or non traditional ingredients like ginger ale. This recipe shows you how to make rose sangria: the Spanish way! It makes for a delicate, nuanced flavor that’s just sweet enough and will leave you wanting more.

Love rosé drinks? Try our Rosé Spritzer or Best Frose (Frozen Rosé).

Ingredients for rose sangria

Sangría is a traditional wine punch that originates from Spain. The classic version is red sangria, made with red wine and chopped fruit, and often orange juice or brandy. There’s also white sangria, made with white wine. So while it’s a bit less standard: why not try it with rosé wine? Like many popular recipes, there are many variations on the theme when it comes to ingredients. Here are the ingredients in this rose sangria:

• Fruit: orange, lemon and strawberries
• Sugar
• Rosé wine
• Brandy
• Sparkling water, optional
• Mint, for garnish

How to make rose sangria (the Spanish way)

Rose sangria is not often served in Spain, but it’s a variation on white sangria which is traditional. This method is inspired by our favorite Spanish chef, Jose Andres. Chef Andres is from Spain and started many successful restaurants here in the US (and is a Nobel prize nominee for this humanitarian work!). The “Spanish” way to make sangria that Chef Jose recommends is this:

• Macerate fruit for 20 minutes: Mix the sangria fruit with sugar and let it macerate or stand at room temperature and break down. This helps the fruit flavors permeate the wine even more.
• Add liquids: Add the rose wine and brandy. Throw in some lemon slices.
• Refrigerate for 1 to 4 hours. This allows the flavors to meld and develop.

Voila! It’s ready to serve: a refreshing, unique sangria recipe you’ll want to make on repeat all summer long.

Tip: don’t make more than 4 hours in advance

Once you mix up your batch of rose sangria, you’ll let it sit refrigerated for the flavors to meld. The minimum time for this step is 1 hour. But there is a maximum refrigeration time: we wouldn’t recommend anything beyond 4 hours! The fruit starts to be come soggy and lose their color, and the flavors fade a little. So, it’s not a drink to prep in advance: make it up an hour or so before you plan to drink!

Want bubbles? Serve with soda water

In Spain, it’s also traditional to top off your glass with a little soda water. This adds a bubbly effervescence that makes it even more refreshing! Serve your sangria right away, making sure to dish up a hefty portion of fruit in each glass as a garnish. We like to add a few ice cubes and then top off the glass with soda water. (Just please don’t add Sprite or ginger ale to this wine cocktail: promise?)

Eat the fruit when serving!

Another cue we picked up on from Chef Andres is this: don’t let the fruit go to waste! When you serve sangria, serve it with skewers. Let your guests eat the remaining wine-soaked fruit in their drink using the skewers. It’s a perfect “dessert” or palate refresher after a meal.

Brandy vs Grand Marnier

For the other alcohol in this rose sangria, you can use brandy or Grand Marnier. There are lots of types of brandy: use brandy you have on hand. Cognac is a fancy type of brandy if you have that available (we have some for making the classic Sidecar). Grand Marnier is a mix of brandy and orange liqueur: it gives it a little higher end vibe. (If you have a bottle of Grand Marnier, also try it in a Cadillac Margarita.)

More types of sangria to try

There are so many spins on sangria: some traditional and some more creative! Here are the best types of sangria to try:

• Classic Red Sangria Full of bold, fruity flavor.
• White Sangria Crisp and refreshing.
• Easy Peach Sangria Another white sangria, with a load of sweet fruit.
• Strawberry Sangria A tasty rose sangria with big berry flavor!
• Watermelon Sangria A big pitcher made with this juicy fruit is perfect for summer entertaining.
• Frozen Sangria This icy version is wine-forward and just sweet enough, with a hint of citrus.
• Apple Cider Sangria A fall-themed spin that pairs sparkling apple cider with red wine, orange and cinnamon.

This rose sangria recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.

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