While traditional Sangria is a Spanish wine mix, the Italian twist on this refreshing drink is just as delightful, incorporating native Italian wine and fruits – cherry red, perfect for the upcoming holiday season or the warmer months.

Enjoy this Italian take on sangria, a bountiful blend and delicious drink that encapsulates the spirit of Italian “dolce vita” – the sweet life!

Basic Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of Italian red wine (such as Chianti or another dry red)
• 1/2 cup of Italian liqueur (like Disaronno for an almond flavor or Limoncello for a citrusy zing)
• 1/4 cup of sugar (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 cup of sparkling water or club soda like ginger ale (for a little fizz)
• 1/2 cup of freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1 orange, thinly sliced
• 1 lemon, thinly sliced
• 1 lime, thinly sliced (optional for a tart edge)
• 1/2 cup of fresh berries (such as strawberries or blackberries)
• A handful of fresh basil leaves or a sprig of rosemary for an aromatic Italian touch
• Ice cubes

Note: Fresh fruit is best as frozen fruit will often turn out mushy and water down the Sangria as a whole – so, for the best Sangria experience, use fresh.

How to Mix Italian Style Sangria

Step 1: Thinly slice the orange, lemon, and lime – if you’re also using big strawberries, while  blackberries can be used as whole.

Step 2: In a large pitcher, dissolve the sugar in the orange juice, but make sure it’s fully dissolved before continuing. 

Step 3: Pour the Italian red wine and your choice of Italian liqueur into the pitcher.

Step 4: Then add the sliced orange, lemon, lime, and berries into the pitcher. 

Tip: If you’re using fresh basil or rosemary, give the herbs a gentle twist between your fingers to release their oils before dropping them in.

Step 5: Let the pitcher of sangria sit in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight if possible – this will allow the flavors to meld together (this is where the flavors are really made)

Step 6: Just before serving, stir in the sparkling water or club soda for a refreshing kick.

Final Step: Fill a glass with ice and pour the sangria over it – make sure to add some of the fruit and herbs in each glass before serving. This will not only elevate the looks, but also the taste.

Note: For a white sangria recipe, use any dry white wine like Pinot Grigio – my personal favorite for the perfect cocktail at summer parties!

Expert Tips

Here are some of our expert tips to make your Sangria an even better alcoholic beverage:

While you can choose any good wine, depending on which one you use will significantly influence the taste of your sangria. An Italian red with fruity and spicy notes complements the citrus and sweetness well.

Here are some suggestions for Italian Wines – a dry red wine is best:

• Chianti – Bright acidity and cherry flavors
• Montepulciano d’Abruzzo – Balance of fruitiness and acidity with a slight hint of spice
• Barbera – Dark cherry, dried herbs, and earth
• Sicilian Nero d’Avola – Bold fruit flavors and hints of sweet spices
• Valpolicella – Juicy, cherry-like flavor that’s not too deep or complex

Further, if you feel like the citrus fruits are a bit too bitter, peel them before slicing as the peel itself contains the oils that can add more bitterness, especially once infused in the sangria – while, if you prefer a less sweet version, add more of the peel and less sweet liquor.Note: This drink is perfect for any Italian food – especially on a hot summer day!

How to Make Non-Alcoholic Italian Sangria

Not into alcohol? No worries! We’ve got you!

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of non-alcoholic red wine (such as a dealcoholized Chianti or Merlot)
• 1/2 cup of non-alcoholic Italian aperitif (like a non-alcoholic version of Aperol or Campari for bitterness, or a citrusy non-alcoholic syrup for sweetness)
• 1/4 cup of simple syrup or honey (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 cup of carbonated water or club soda
• 1/2 cup of freshly squeezed orange juice (or any other flavorful fruit juice)
• 1 orange, thinly sliced
• 1 lemon, thinly sliced
• 1 lime, thinly sliced (optional for a tart edge)
• 1/2 cup of fresh berries (such as strawberries or blackberries)
• A handful of fresh basil leaves or a sprig of rosemary for an aromatic touch
• Ice cubes

How to Mix Non-Alcohol Sangria

Step 1: Thinly slice the orange, lemon, and lime – if you’re also using big strawberries, while  blackberries can be used as whole.

Step 2: In a large pitcher, dissolve the honey in the orange juice, but make sure it’s fully dissolved before continuing. 

Step 3: Add the non-alcoholic red wine and the non-alcoholic aperitif or syrup to the pitcher with the sweetened orange juice – mix well using a bar spoon.

Step 4: Add the sliced fruits and herbs to the pitcher. 

Tip: Gently press the fruits with a spoon to release some juices, but don’t muddle them completely or you’ll end up with a smoothie.

Step 5: Allow the sangria to chill in the refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours, so the flavors can fully meld together – this is where the magic happens!

Step 6: Before serving, add the sparkling mineral water or club soda to give the sangria its signature effervescence.

Finally, fill a glass with ice and pour the sangria over the top – add some fruits and herbs for that extra layer of aroma. 

Anna Dykeman

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Ingredients

  

• 1 bottle of Italian red wine such as Chianti or another dry red
• 1/2 cup of Italian liqueur like Disaronno for an almond flavor or Limoncello for a citrusy zing
• 1/4 cup of sugar adjust to taste
• 1/2 cup of sparkling water or club soda like ginger ale for a little fizz
• 1/2 cup of freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1 orange thinly sliced
• 1 lemon thinly sliced
• 1 lime thinly sliced (optional for a tart edge)
• 1/2 cup of fresh berries such as strawberries or blackberries
• A handful of fresh basil leaves or a sprig of rosemary for an aromatic Italian touch
• Ice cubes

Instructions

 

• Thinly slice the orange, lemon, and lime – if you're also using big strawberries, while blackberries can be used as whole.
• In a large pitcher, dissolve the sugar in the orange juice, but make sure it's fully dissolved before continuing.
• Pour the Italian red wine and your choice of Italian liqueur into the pitcher.
• Then add the sliced orange, lemon, lime, and berries into the pitcher.

  Tip: If you’re using fresh basil or rosemary, give the herbs a gentle twist between your fingers to release their oils before dropping them in
• Let the pitcher of sangria sit in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight if possible – this will allow the flavors to meld together (this is where the flavors are really made)
• Just before serving, stir in the sparkling water or club soda for a refreshing kick.

Final Step: Fill a glass with ice and pour the sangria over it – make sure to add some of the fruit and herbs in each glass before serving. This will not only elevate the looks, but also the taste.