Sangria is one of the most famous Spanish drinks; the wine cocktail is loved worldwide! It’s easy to see why — this is the perfect spring and summer drink and a fantastic way of enjoying wine even more!

What is sangria?

Sangria is a wine cocktail with chopped fruit, juice and sometimes a splash of sparkling water.Close your eyes and picture your lips kissing a cold glass of sangria. You taste the fruit-forward red wine blessed by hints of citrus fruits and freshly squeezed juice. Sweet, refreshing, and utterly satisfying, this is a thirst-quenching and boozy drink that has it all!

The Perfect Sangria Recipe

The sangria can take many forms. As long as you use wine as your base ingredient, anything goes. Still, we’ve found the best sangrias have something in common: pomegranates.

Pomegranates are native to a broad region between the Middle East and the Himalayas, and they’re instantly recognizable for their hard skin and hundreds of ruby-red, juicy ‘seeds.’ People appreciate pomegranates in Spain as well, especially when they are in season, between September and November.

Should you add pomegranates to sangria? Absolutely! Give color to your sangria pitcher with both the juice and the seeds. You won’t regret it! That’s how we’ve been making sangria at Coqui the Chef for years now, and we love it!

Sangria Frequently Asked Questions

What does sangria mean in Spanish?

The word sangría shares roots with the word “sangre,” meaning blood, thanks to the cocktail’s vibrant red color.

Who invented sangria?

The Spanish sangria became immensely popular in the 19th century, mainly in Britain, where they have their own version, sangaree. Still, even the French lay claims on creating the splendid wine cocktail. However, although we don’t know who invented sangria, we know it’s popular since at least 1736 when it was mentioned in the British Gentleman’s Magazine!

How long will sangria keep in the refrigerator?

The sangria has alcohol, acidity and lots of antioxidants, so it has a relatively stable shelf-life. Still, the cocktail also contains fruit, so it’s best enjoyed up to three days if stored in the fridge.

How to Serve Sangria?

Serve sangria cold, if straight from the fridge, even better. Store sangria without ice and add ice to the serving glasses as needed. Have some extra fruit in hand in case someone wants their sangria chunkier!

Now that you know all about sangria, let’s make the most out of this delightful wine cocktail. Let’s Make Sangría!