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Weekend Sangria
Jorj Morgan

Weekend Sangria

Red wine steeped with brandy, orange liqueur and an orange-vanilla syrup, left to sit until the fruit gives up everything it has.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 8 hours 5 minutes
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Sangria Base
  • 2 bottles (750 ml each) medium-bodied red wine (Tempranillo, Garnacha, Rioja, or Merlot)
  • ½ cup brandy
  • ¼ cup orange liqueur (Cointreau or Triple Sec)
  • ½ cup Orange-Vanilla Simple Syrup
  • ½ cup fresh orange juice
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
Fruit & Sparkler
  • 1 orange, thinly sliced
  • 1 lemon, thinly sliced
  • 1 lime, thinly sliced
  • 1 crisp apple, diced
  • 1 cup seedless red grapes
  • 1 cup fresh strawberries, halved (when in season)
  • 2 cups chilled sparkling water or lemon-lime sparkling water (added just before serving)
  • Ice
Garnishes
  • Orange wheels
  • Fresh mint sprigs

Equipment

  • Large glass punch pitcher
  • Long wooden spoon
  • Ladle
  • Spanish goblet glasses

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a large glass pitcher or beverage dispenser, combine the wine, brandy, orange liqueur, Orange-Vanilla Simple Syrup, orange juice, and lemon juice.
  2. Add the sliced citrus, apples, grapes, and strawberries. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, preferably overnight, allowing the fruit to infuse the wine.
  3. Just before guests arrive, stir in chilled sparkling water.
  4. Serve over plenty of ice, making sure each glass receives a spoonful of the wine-soaked fruit. Garnish with a fresh orange wheel and a sprig of mint.

Notes

Jorj's Tip
Sangria should never taste sugary. The fruit and wine should be the stars, with the Orange-Vanilla Simple Syrup simply tying everything together. Making it the day before allows the flavors to mellow beautifully while giving you one less thing to think about on Friday evening.
Hosting a Crowd
Weekend Sangria is one of the easiest cocktails to scale.
For 16–20 guests, simply double the recipe and prepare it in a large beverage dispenser. Keep the sparkling water separate until just before serving so the sangria stays lively throughout the evening.
Set out glasses filled with ice and let guests help themselves while you greet everyone at the door.
Make It Your Own
• Blackberry Sangria: Add fresh blackberries and a sprig of rosemary.
• Peach Summer Sangria: Replace the apples with sliced peaches and use Peach Simple Syrup (Volume 5).
• Cranberry Holiday Sangria: Add fresh cranberries and use Blood Orange–Sage Simple Syrup (Volume 5).
• White Weekend Sangria: Substitute Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio and garnish with green grapes, peaches, and citrus.