Grandma’s Homemade Sangria

Now that summer is here, it seems like every weekend we are going to invite friends and family over for a barbecue. One of our favorite drinks to serve is my homemade sangria. Everyone really likes the light fruity taste.

It’s a perfect drink when we have our Mexican party nights, and it’s a very refreshing drink for those hot summer nights on the back deck. We’ve served it with grilled chicken, steaks, ribs, and burgers. It is very quick and easy to combine for any occasion. I have a recipe with and without alcohol for those who don’t drink. When we have a big gathering with kids, I never make the non-alcoholic recipe, it’s very easy for the kids to confuse it with the one that contains alcohol. I always make the summer fruit drinks for the kids in a different color, so everyone can easily tell the difference.

What you will need:

4 bottles (750 ml) red wine OR 3 cups cranberry-pomegranate juice

4 cups of lemonade

1 cup of orange juice

2 Granny Smith apples, cored and cut into 1-inch slices

1 unpeeled navel orange, thinly sliced

2 unpeeled lemons, thinly sliced

1 unpeeled lime, thinly sliced

Ice cubes OR frozen red seedless grapes

About an hour before serving the sangria, in a large pitcher combine the wine (or 3 cups of pomegranate and cranberry juice), lemonade, orange juice, and apple, orange, lemon, and lime slices. Refrigerate at least one hour.

Sangria looks best served in tall glasses. When everyone is ready for drinks, pour the sangria into your tall glasses filled with ice cubes or frozen grapes and serve.

Total prep time is about 15 minutes and it will serve 8. The recipe can easily be doubled so you can have another pitcher ready for anyone who wants another drink.