Summer is officially in the air, and there is no better way to celebrate backyard gatherings than with a crisp, refreshing drink in hand. If you are looking for a fun and easy beverage that tastes just as vibrant as it looks, you are in the right place.
I am incredibly thrilled to share this Red, White, and Berry Sangria recipe with you today! It is a sneak peek right out of my brand-new cocktail book, Sips of the Seasons. This book is entirely dedicated to capturing the essence of every season and the holidays celebrated with friends and family. This recipe is perfect for berry season and 4th of July BBQs.
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What is Sangria?
Before we dive into the pitchers, let’s talk about what makes a sangria a sangria. This recipe is native to Spain and Portugal, typically made with red wine, chopped fruit, a splash of brandy or liqueur, and sometimes a bit of sweetener or soda water.
Over the years, sangria has evolved to include different tastes. White wine versions (often called Sangria Blanca) use crisp white wines as a base, making them lighter, refreshing, and perfect for using summer fruits like berries, stone fruits, and citrus.
Get 40 fresh seasonal cocktail recipes in my new book, Sips of the Seasons. With recipes for holidays and hosting.
Tools and Ingredients You Will Need
One of the best things about making a large-batch drink is that you don’t need an entire bar full of liquor and tools. Here is everything you need to pull together this stunning drink:
The Tools:
- A Large Pitcher or Jug: Choose a clear glass one if you can, the floating colorful fruit and star shapes are meant to be seen.
- A Long Spoon: For stirring everything together.
- A Small Star-Shaped Cookie Cutter: This is the simple tool needed to create those perfect little apple stars.
The Ingredients:
- Dry White Wine: Look for something clean and crisp. Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio work well because their bright acidity balances the sweet fruit.
- Blueberry Syrup: The magical sweet inredient that gives this drink its rich depth (recipe below!).
- Fresh Berries: A vibrant mix of sliced strawberries and plump, whole raspberries.
- A Crisp Apple: Perfect for holding its shape when cut into star shapes.
- Brandy: Adds warmth and a subtle kick.
- Soda Water (Club Soda): To give the drink a little fizz right before serving.
How to Make Homemade Blueberry Syrup
The real secret to making this sangria taste like a high-end craft cocktail is using a home made blueberry syrup. While you can absolutely save time by purchasing a bottle of store-bought blueberry syrup, making your own at home takes less than ten minutes and elevates the flavor immensely.
You can use either fresh or frozen blueberries for this recipe. If blueberries are in peak season, grab a fresh bunch! If it is the middle of winter or you just want a budget-friendly option, frozen berries work as well because they break down release deep purple juices into the sugar water.
Simply simmer your water, sugar, and berries together until the sugar dissolves and the berries burst, then strain. It adds a rich, fruity complexity to the white wine that standard simple syrup just can’t match.
How to Cut Apple Stars (And Fun Fruit Alternatives!)
The signature look of this Red, White, and Berry Sangria comes down to the adorable apple stars floating in the pitcher and glasses. Here is the easiest way to make them:
- Wash your crisp apple and slice it vertically into thin planks (about 1/8-inch thick), working your way around the core.
- Lay the apple slices flat on a cutting board.
- Take your small star-shaped cookie cutter and firmly press it into the center of each slice.
Pro-Tip for Leftovers: Don’t throw away the apple scraps! Chop them up and toss them right into the pitcher along with the berries, they will still infuse the drink with great flavor, even if they aren’t star-shaped.
Alternative Fruits to Try
If you don’t have an apple on hand or want to mix up the color palette, try using a honeydew melon. Slice the honeydew thinly and use the exact same star cutter. The pale green stars look incredibly beautiful floating alongside bright red strawberries! Asian pears and starfruit (which is naturally star-shaped when sliced!) are also great seasonal choices.
What is Brandy? (And Flavor Variations)
Brandy is a distilled spirit produced from fermented fruit juice, most commonly grapes. It adds a robust, oaky, and slightly sweet warmth to the sangria.
If you don’t have brandy on hand or want to tweak the flavor profile, you have plenty of fun options:
- Triple Sec / Cointreau: This orange liqueur will add a bright, citrusy note that pairs wonderfully with the sweet berries.
- Peach Liqueur: Perfect if you want to lean heavily into a lush, sweet, orchard-fruit summer vibe.
- Elderflower Liqueur (St-Germain): Adds a light, floral note that makes the white wine and berries taste incredibly elegant.
How to Make It a Mocktail (Non-Alcoholic Version)
No one should have to miss out on a festive summer drink! Turning this into a mocktail is incredibly easy.
Simply replace the 750ml of white wine with white grape juice, sparkling apple cider, or a high-quality non-alcoholic white wine. To replace the depth and bite of the brandy, swap it out for an equal amount of tart cherry juice, pomegranate juice, or extra white grape juice. Combine it all with the blueberry syrup and fresh fruit, let it chill, and top with club soda as usual for a bubbly mocktail version.
Pro-Tips for the Best Sangria Ever
- Give it Time: Do not skip the 2-hour refrigeration step! Sangria gets exponentially better as the fruit macerates into the wine and spirits.
- Top with Fizz at the End: Never add your club soda to the pitcher before refrigerating. The soda water will lose all of its bubbles, leaving your sangria flat. Always pour it directly into each individual glass right before serving.
- Keep it Chilled: Instead of putting ice in the main pitcher, put ice directly into the serving glasses and pour the sangria over top.
Red, White, and Berry Sangria
Ingredients
- 3 cups dry white wine Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio
- 1/2 cup blueberry syrup cut down to 1/4 cup for a less sweet sangria
- 1 cup strawberries hulled and sliced
- 3/4 cup raspberries
- 1 large apple thinly sliced and cut into stars with a small cookie cutter
- 1/2 cup brandy
- 1 cup soda water club soda to top
Blueberry Syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup blueberries fresh or frozen
Instructions
- In a large jug or pitcher, add the dry white wine, blueberry syrup, sliced strawberries, raspberries, and brandy. Stir well with a long spoon to thoroughly combine.
- Place the pitcher into the refrigerator for at least two hours to let those gorgeous berry and orchard fruit flavors infuse.
- Fill your serving glasses generously with ice. Pour the chilled sangria over the ice, leaving a little room at the top, and top off each individual glass with a splash of fresh soda water.
- Decorate each glass with your custom apple stars and a few extra fresh berries. Serve immediately.
Blueberry Syrup
- Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan and bring to medium heat, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves
- Add the blueberries and lower the heat. Let it simmer gently on low for about five minutes, allowing the berries to burst and release their color.
- Strain the syrup through a fine mesh strainer into a clean jar to remove the fruit, and allow it to cool completely
- Pour into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
If you enjoyed with this recipe, be sure to order my new book, Sips of the Seasons, with 39 more seasonal recipes.
Get 40 fresh seasonal cocktail recipes in my new book, Sips of the Seasons. With recipes for holidays and hosting.
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