How often are you stuck with the same drinks over and over again? I started making Sangrias many years ago as I began to teach cooking classes. Why make them? You can use what you have in your fruit bowl and basically experiment with what you have in your wine cupboard or outside from your fruit trees. Once you make your first pitcher of sangria, your imagination with your choices of wine and fruit are endless. Match up your wines with fresh fruits such as watermelon, strawberries, peaches, apples, and grapes. Change up the liquor and syrups with vodka, brandy, triple sec, sparkling water or ginger ale. Just have fun exploring the possibilities!
Here is a standard listing of wines and how to use them in your Sangria.
- No need to use an expensive bottle of wine.
- Use the freshest fruit possible, to enhance your sangria. Always, thoroughly wash the fruit especially the citrus before adding to your pitcher.
- Choose the fruit and spices, and herbs according to the wine you will be using.
- For reds: use a wine with low tannins, which Spanish wines contain.
- For whites: Avoid wines with lots of oak. They have little tannins, so any will do.
- For Rose: Select fruit-inspired wines from California.
My first recipe for you is my Greek Cherry Sangria, which I have made over and over.
My second recipe to try is a Melon Elderberry Sangria.
As you can see it’s a beautiful color which you can trade out with a melon of your choice.
TIPS TO REMEMBER!
Sangria Basics = wine +fruit +something sweet +something boozy +time to chill. It’s more of a wine punch.
Have a great summer,
© 2026, Mary Papoulias-Platis. All rights reserved.
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Hello from California Greek Girl. I’m the owner of Ethos Culinary located in the beautiful city of Carlsbad. Join me as we explore California’s bounty of foods, farmlands, and culinary experts. I’m looking forward to bringing you Greek, Mediterranean and Plant-Forward Cuisines. OPA!
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