I believe that it’s always a good time for sangria, so please feel free to replace “summer” with a season of your choice 
It’s a fantastic party beverage, especially if you can make it at home and let it sit in the fridge overnight. I made last night’s sangria at the BBQ we went to, because I had visions of exploding sangria and the Pilot’s car smelling like wine and brandy for the rest of the year. I personally don’t mind the smell of wine and brandy, though…
Here’s what I did to make two large pitchers of sangria:
-Sliced two green apples and put the the slices in each pitcher, along with 1 sliced orange, 1 sliced lemon and the juice of 1 orange
-Added 1/8 C sugar to each pitcher (1/4 C total)- this is optional, but helps to enhance the sweetness of the fruit. I’ve tried it with Stevia before and it was not a wise choice.
-1 C of pre-made orange juice to each pitcher (2 C total)
-1/2 C each of brandy and triple sec to each pitcher (1 C total of each)
-1 large bottle of inexpensive dry red wine to each pitcher. Inexpensive is the key, here. No one will be able to tell if you used hoity-toity wine, and I’ve found that the less expensive brands taste better with the additional ingredients. (I use the Yellowtail brand supersize bottles. If you’re using the regular bottles of wine, do 1 1/2 bottles per pitcher, for 3 total bottles)
Mix well and serve over ice.
It’s super refreshing, not too sweet and a party beverage staple in our house.
I’m off to get some groceries for the week and hit up a spin class. Hope you have a wonderful day and I’ll see ya later <3
Cheers,
Gina
Something to do: While we’re enjoying the day, please take a second to send love to the families of those who fought bravely, selflessly and made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms. The Pilot has lost some close friends, and I am forever thankful to those who dedicate their lives for our safety.
Hi, I'm Gina. Welcome to The Fitnessista! I love blogging about my adventures as a new mom, military wife and fitness instructor, as well as sharing new workouts and recipes. Check out the About page for more info - thanks for stopping by!
It’s posts like these that make me WISH i didn’t live in a dry country!!!
Yum! I love sangria! It’s the perfect summer drink and fully customizable to whatever you have on hand
20 bonus points for you for using the term “hoity-toity”
I love that term!
hahah i do too
I Love sangria!! We should have a sangria recipe round-up!
haha let’s do it! feel free to link away
I made a delicious Spanish Red Wine Sangria with oranges, watermelon and strawberries ~~~~~> http://dailyarmour.com/?p=144 This is my new blog, so feel free to pass it along
I love sangria. Before I turned 21 I frequently made virgin sangria, just use grape juice, for parties. My friends would initially complain but then they would gulp it down and start picking the fruit out of the bottom of the pitcher. It’s always a hit.
Looks delicious! What would you say to using maple syrup in place of the sugar? Think that might be ok?
yeah that should work!
I would personally stick to a more neutral sweetener like agave to ward off any possibility of maple flavor.
My madre and I made strawberry daiquaries last night. I dont really drink so she made them really weak. Then we had friends come over and one of them is a bartender and she made them and poured a ton of extra rum in them and poured me a glass. Very good but a lot of alcohol. I didn’t mind because it was so hot out so it was nice and refreshing. Good thing I am my fathers daughter and can hold my alcohol!
Thanks for this recipe! I recall at one time there was a brunch/breakfast egg casserole or something of the sort recipe that you were going to ask someone from your family to divulge? Did I miss the recipe somewhere, it looked amazing!
yes, my nana’s egg casserole! i still need to ask her for it!
Oh yes PLEASE!!!!! ask her for the recipe! It looks amazing!
Looks delicious! Give The Pilot a big thank you for all he does by the way! Happy Memorial Day!
Oooh, this looks great! Thanks for the recipe!
I made a delicious white sangria/soda yesterday for some family we had over. Suuuuuuper refreshing.
In a pitcher, I combined 2 bottles of sauvignon blanc, 2 sliced kiwis, 1 pint raspberries, 2 sliced peaches, 1/2 a sliced lemon, and I added a few teaspoons of stevia. This marinated overnight. I had frozen a batch of sliced kiwi, raspberries, & peaches to act as ice cubes. To serve, I poured a 1:1 ratio of sangria to cold club soda and added the frozen fruit. It came out light, crisp, and delicious!
(pregnant lady sobs in the corner)
Just a few more months…
try it with grape juice, i prefer white grape juice. it really is delicious and refreshing, as well as perfectly safe for your baby!
Haha. I hear ya! My c-section is scheduled 3 months from today. I think I can, I think I can…
I absolutely love Sangria! I am going to try your recipe.
Haha, so funny. I am working a PR agency here in Berlin and one of our clients is Barefoot Wine.
What a coincidence!
Thanks for the Memorial Day reminder! It’s easy to get wrapped up in BBQs and sales but the real purpose is to pause and be grateful. Thank you to you and the pilot.
Oh he-lloooo summer! This sounds so delicious and refreshing. I love love that photo of the fruit on the table – so vibrant! Cheers!
We love Sangria in our house too! We don’t tend to put as much effort into it as you do though, so I’m sure yours is probably a lot tastier than ours!
I have a Sangria mix I bought from the Columbia restaurant in Tampa! Now I really want to make it! I think that will be the drink of choice for the beach in 2 weeks!!
Summer sangria is great! I have a light recipe that is my go-to recipe…it’s my staple for picnics and parties…aaaand just random days when I need a good drink!
Happy Memorial day to you, the pilot and Olivia. I’m thankful for brave men like him who fight for our country. <3
Thanks for sharing this recipe! I have tried to make Sangria twice and both times it turned out yuck. This recipe seems really simple… I don’t think I can mess this one up!!
I need some of this approximately now.
This looks amaazing. And now I want sangria!
Love the red sangria recipe (I’ve been into white lately with peaches, mango, pineapple) and you are so right, inexpensive wine; no one will be able to tell the difference! (especially after 1 or 2 glasses in…lol)
Craving Sangria now! Beautiful pictures!
Just wanted to say a big ‘Thank You’ to the Pilot for your service.
(And Gina, let me preface this by saying I am someone completely totally head
)
over heals in love with her own man but I do have to agree with you…the Pilot
does look hot holding a baby
Thanks to the military spouses/families too for the scarfices you have to make as well. Of course special shout out thanks to Gina (and Liv &Bell) on that one!
The sangria looks great! Prefect for a hot day like today!
I love wine, but I’ve actually never had sangria before! I’m thinking that needs to change!
I bought all the ingredients to make Sangria this weekend and ended up enjoying some Coconut rum instead. Definitely hoping to make your recipe soon! Looks so good.
coconut rum sounds so tropical
That sangria looks AMAZING! I swore off alcohol for the next 30 days … =/
wow, that’s awesome! i need my weekly (or bi-weekly) glass of vino
that looks like a great recipe – i will def be putting that to use this summer!
I love trying new sangria recipes! Yours looks great!
this looks delish! I have another super easy and el cheapo sangria recipe for you (and your blog readers):
Mix a cheap red (any TJ’s two buck chuck) with sparkling pink lemonade (also found at TJ’s) and pour over ice. Voila! Deliciousness. You can gussy it up with fresh fruit slices of your choice and can also play around with ratios (depending on how strong you like your sangria). I tend to start with a 50/50 ratio of wine and lemonade and then add more lemonade if I want it lighter and less wine-y. I’ve provided this at summer picnics and it’s always a hit with everyone. I’ve never tried it with a white wine, but I think I will at some point this summer. I’ve definitely been on a white kick