Easy Red Sangria Recipe for a Crowd (Make in 5 Minutes!)

Sangria, which means “blood,” is a Spanish cocktail, which traditionally consisted of red wine and chopped fruit, often with other ingredients, like sugar or spirits, like brandy or triple sec. (Source #1; Source #2)
However, I have had white sangria and rose sangria as well. The trick is pairing the type of wine with complimentary fruits.

Sangria is a sweet, spicy and fruity iced wine drink. It tastes like a cold fruit juice, with added fruit and herbaceous seasonings.

Traditionally, Spanish red wines that are more fruity and have fewer tannins make for the best sangria. Tempranillo and garnacha generally work well. There’s no need to get anything expensive, as the wine will become overpowered by the fruit anyway.
However, I have a “secret” wine that I believe gives the best sangria results in the shortest amount of time. That is: boxed or jug wine that is labeled as sangria.
Now, don’t scoff at bulk wine as “cheap wine” just yet! I have a fairly discerning wine palate and I truly believe this works well. Sangria is meant to be light, fruity and juicy! Bulk wine labeled as sangria already tastes as if you had marinated fruit in it for 24-48 hours, saving you tons of time and effort.
(Check Barnivore for vegan sangria options. Skinny Girl and Sutter Home are good options!)
Keep reading to learn how I make sangria with boxed sangria wine.

No. Especially if you are using the boxes sangria wine, sangria does not have to sit overnight to embody great fruit flavors. However, if you are not using wine labeled as sangria, it will taste better if it sits overnight.

Sangria tastes best with ice. I mix it in a pitcher or dispenser with ice, and I also serve it over ice. It’s sort of like a fruit punch.

Sangria can last 3-5 days total, depending on how the fruit in it appears. If the fruit is starting to appear mushy, it’s time to discard the sangria.