Spanish Sangria Recipe

This Spanish Sangria recipe brings together Garnacha red wine, Spanish rosé, orange sparkling water, triple sec, Spanish brandy, sugar, apples, oranges, limes, and lemons for a bright, fruit-filled pitcher cocktail. Featured on Bring on the Karbs, this recipe captures the playful, nostalgic spirit of Erika and Josh Karbelnik with a refreshing drink that is colourful, easy to assemble, and perfect for casual entertaining.

The Inspiration

Sangria is one of the most iconic Spanish-inspired drinks, loved for its balance of wine, fruit, sweetness, citrus, and easygoing party energy. Traditionally, sangria is made by combining wine with fruit and often a splash of brandy, liqueur, juice, soda, or sweetener. It is a drink designed for sharing, which makes it especially appealing for gatherings, family-style meals, warm-weather celebrations, tapas nights, and relaxed evenings where the goal is to serve something festive without overcomplicating the process.

This version from Bring on the Karbs gives sangria a layered, modern twist by using both Garnacha red wine and rosado, or Spanish rosé. Garnacha brings ripe red fruit notes, soft spice, and a juicy body, while rosado adds freshness, brightness, and a lighter berry character. Together, they create a sangria that is bold enough to feel classic but vibrant enough to feel refreshing.

Orange sparkling water adds fizz and citrus aroma, triple sec reinforces the orange flavour, and Spanish brandy gives the drink depth and warmth. A small amount of sugar helps round the edges, while diced green apples and sliced citrus make the pitcher colourful, fragrant, and lively.

Ingredients

1 bottle Garnacha red wine
1 bottle rosado (Spanish rosé)
12 oz orange sparkling water
1 oz triple sec
2 oz Spanish brandy
1 tbsp sugar
2 green apples, cored and diced
2 oranges, sliced
3 limes, sliced
2 lemons, sliced

Method

Mix all ingredients and allow to sit for 5 minutes. Sweeten with sugar if needed. Serve in glasses.

Serving Suggestions

For entertaining, serve the sangria in a clear pitcher so the apples, oranges, limes, and lemons create a vibrant presentation at the table. Keep a long spoon nearby so guests can scoop extra fruit into their glasses, and offer sparkling water or citrus slices on the side for anyone who wants a lighter pour. Since this is an alcoholic drink with wine, brandy, and triple sec, it is best enjoyed slowly and responsibly, ideally with food and plenty of water available for guests.

Because the sangria combines red wine, rosé, citrus, apples, brandy, and orange sparkling water, it pairs beautifully with Spanish-inspired small plates such as Pan con Tomate, patatas bravas, marinated olives, Manchego cheese, roasted almonds, grilled peppers, tortilla Española, shrimp, charcuterie, and crusty bread. It also works well with casual comfort foods like pizza, grilled chicken, burgers, tacos, barbecue vegetables, or snack boards, especially when the menu includes salty, savoury, or smoky flavours that balance the fruitiness of the drink.

Final Thoughts

This Spanish Sangria recipe is a celebration of colour, fruit, wine, and the simple pleasure of sharing a pitcher drink with good food and good company. With Garnacha red wine, Spanish rosé, orange sparkling water, triple sec, Spanish brandy, sugar, green apples, oranges, limes, and lemons, the recipe creates a drink that is bright, refreshing, and full of personality. It is easy to make, visually beautiful, and flexible enough to fit many kinds of casual entertaining.

What makes this sangria stand out is the combination of red wine and rosé. Many sangria recipes rely on one wine base, but this version blends the ripe fruitiness of Garnacha with the crisp freshness of rosado.

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