This easy pomegranate sangria recipe combines Spanish red wine, brandy, orange liqueur, pomegranate juice, and fresh fruit for a refreshing red sangria that is fruity, slightly tart, and not overly sweet. It's an easy make-ahead cocktail perfect for parties, holidays, and entertaining.
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🔍 Quick Look: Pomegranate Sangria
⏱️ Prep Time: 5 minutes
❄️ Chill Time: 2+ hours
👥 Servings: 8
📊 Calories: 22 2 per serving
🍷 Main Ingredients: Spanish red wine, pomegranate juice, brandy, orange liqueur, & fruit
⭐ Difficulty: Easy
❤️ Why You'll Love it: Easy to make and sweetness can be customized.
A Note to the Reader
I was fortunate to be asked to write an article for City View Magazine in Fayetteville, NC. Seeing my photography and writing published in such a beautiful magazine was a very proud moment for me, and I was thrilled to have an opportunity to contribute.
The theme of this article was tapas, the Spanish tradition of enjoying small plates of food with drinks. In Spain, there is even a verb, tapear, which means to go out for tapas, often moving from place to place while enjoying food and drinks along the way. Naturally, I thought sangria was the perfect cocktail to begin the article.
I wanted to create something a little different from a traditional red sangria, so I added pomegranate juice for a tart, fruity twist. The result was exactly what I was hoping for - bold and fruity with just the right balance of tartness and sweetness. This isn't an overly sweet sangria. If you prefer yours a little sweeter, you can choose a sweet red wine. Enjoy! Xoxo -Katie.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
You will need the following ingredients to make Pomegranate Sangria.
- Spanish Red Wine - I prefer a dry, fruity red wine for sangria such as Tempranillo or Garnacha (Grenache). If you prefer a sweeter sangria, choose a sweeter, fruit-forward red wine.
- Pomegranate Juice - The juice gives this sangria its deep color and slightly tart, fruity flavor. I recommend using 100% pomegranate juice rather than a sweetened pomegranate juice cocktail so you can better control the sweetness.
- Orange Liqueur - The liqueur adds citrus flavor along with a touch of sweetness, so I don't find that this sangria needs additional sugar. I love Cointreau or Grand Marnier because their orange flavor really stands out. However, the less expensive Triple Sec works well too.
- Brandy - Brandy adds warmth and depth and gives the sangria a little extra kick.
- Fruit - I love the combination of apples, oranges, strawberries, and blueberries. The fruit adds beautiful color and fresh flavor as the sangria chills. However, for a simpler version, stick with the classic combination of apples and oranges. Slice fruit rather than chopping too small so it's easy to pour and serve.
- Club Soda - Club soda adds a little fizz while lightening the cocktail. I prefer adding directly to each glass just before serving instead of mixing it into the pitcher. This keeps the bubbles fresh and lets each guest customize the strength of their sangria by adding a little more or less club soda.
How to Make Pomegranate Sangria
Follow these simple steps to make Pomegranate Red Sangria.
- Slice fruit into large pieces and add to a large pitcher.
- Add Spanish red wine, orange liqueur, brandy, and pomegranate juice. Stir to combine. Chill in refrigerator two or more hours to allow the sangria flavors to blend.
- When ready to serve, fill glass with ice, and pour in the chilled sangria. Top with club soda, gently stir, and serve.
Watch How to Make
Wine Tip
You don't need an expensive bottle of wine to make a good sangria. Choose an affordable, fruity red wine that you enjoy drinking. The fruit, brandy, orange liqueur, and juice will add plenty of flavor. Save the expensive, complex wines for sipping on their own.
Can you make sangria ahead of time?
Yes. Sangria is actually better when it has time to chill and the flavors can blend. Make the sangria at least 2 hours ahead of time or refrigerate overnight. Wait to add the club soda until serving so it stays fresh and bubbly.
I had so much fun writing this article. Who doesn't like an excuse to drink and eat? You can check out my full article "Tapa Time" here at City View. In it you will also find my Tapas themed recipes: Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Manchego Cheese, Moroccan Roasted Potatoes, and Spanish Garlic Shrimp.
If you make this red sangria, please leave me a comment and tell me how it went. I would love to hear back, and so would my readers.
📖 Recipe
Pomegranate Sangria-Easy Sangria Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 bottle dry Spanish red wine
- 2 cups pomegranate juice
- ½ cup brandy
- ½ cup orange liqueur
- 2 cups club soda
- 1 whole apple sliced
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 whole orange sliced
- 1 cup strawberries sliced
Instructions
- Slice fruit into large pieces and add to a large pitcher.1 whole apple, 1 cup blueberries, 1 whole orange, 1 cup strawberries
- Add Spanish red wine, orange liqueur, brandy, and pomegranate juice. Stir to combine. Chill in refrigerator two or more hours to allow the sangria flavors to blend.1 bottle dry Spanish red wine, ½ cup brandy, ½ cup orange liqueur, 2 cups pomegranate juice
- When ready to serve, fill glass with ice, and pour in the chilled sangria. Top with club soda, gently stir, and serve.2 cups club soda
Vidhya says
This sangria was absolutely beautiful and so refreshing! The pomegranate gives it a lovely tart sweetness, and it pairs wonderfully with the red wine and fresh fruit. Such a nice drink!