There is a beautiful, time-honored history behind a great sangria, and it was quite literally invented for batch-making and sharing with the people you love. We are just here to give you a warm, friendly reminder of exactly how incredible—and effortlessly joyful—this classic drink can be. Sangria is the ultimate canvas for celebrating traditions while embracing a modern, relaxed style of hosting. It’s all about creating deep connections over a big, colorful pitcher, bringing out those pure, nostalgic emotions of simple enjoyment.

The best part? You absolutely do not need to be a seasoned mixologist to master this crowd-pleaser. We love focusing on the simple building blocks because they give you the confidence to explore your own creative potential! To set your delicious foundation, combine a good bottle of your favorite red wine with a splash of warming brandy, a pour of bright orange juice, and a generous, colorful pile of chopped citrus, crisp apples, and juicy berries. No stressful rules here—just pure, vibrant flavors coming together.

Once your ingredients are combined, simply tuck the pitcher into the fridge for a few hours. If you can let it sit overnight, that’s even better! This hands-off resting time is where the true magic happens, allowing the fruit to infuse deeply into the wine, creating a beautifully balanced, well-rounded flavor profile. When your guests arrive, just pour it over plenty of ice and get ready to enjoy the festivities alongside them.

Ingredients

1 bottle 750 ml red wine (Rioja, Garnacha, or Cabernet)
1/2 cup brandy
1/2 cup orange juice
3 tbsp sugar or simple syrup to taste
2 oranges sliced into rounds
1 lemon sliced into rounds
1 apple cored and chopped
1 cup mixed berries strawberries hulled and sliced, raspberries

Instructions

Combine the base: In a large pitcher, combine the wine, brandy, orange juice, and sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
Add the fruit: Add the oranges, lemon, apple, and berries to the pitcher and stir gently to submerge the fruit.
Chill and macerate: Cover and refrigerate so the fruit can macerate — a minimum of 4 hours, but overnight gives the best flavor.
Serve: Serve over ice with a slotted spoon nearby so guests can scoop out the boozy fruit.

Notes

Mocktail version: Replace the wine and brandy with 2 cups pomegranate juice, 2 cups orange juice, and 2 cups sparkling grape juice (add the sparkling grape juice right before serving to keep the fizz). Keep the same fruit and macerating time.

Servings: 8

A Welcoming Touch to Classic Red Sangria

Always keep a slotted spoon resting nearby in a little dish next to your serving station. Sangria lovers know that the wine-soaked fruit at the bottom is half the fun, and this thoughtful little setup makes it easy for everyone to scoop an extra helping of those delicious, flavor-soaked treats right into their glasses!

Classic Red Sangria, Batched for a Crowd Recipe