This easy White Wine Sangria is a refreshing cocktail that combines the sweetness and flavors of strawberries, oranges, lime and basil with white wine for a fresh take on a traditional sangria. It’s the perfect brunch drink that can be made ahead for a crowd.
Hola! Writing this post with a chilled glass of this Strawberry Orange White Wine Sangria in one hand. Yes, I’ve got skills and its officially cocktail ‘o clock here.
The temperature has seriously climbed since we spoke about wine last. Remember February when we were celebrating beef stews and wintery afternoon brunches? Well, things have changed mister.
It’s time to bust out the fruits and the lemons and whip ourselves fancy white wine sangrias that can be made in a pitcher. Because the moment you taste this, you will want that pitcher!
These strawberry orange white wine sangrias are refreshing, chilled, mildly sweet and fizzy and definitely the best way to beat the heat around here.
It’s a simple mix of sliced or chopped fruits, basil (yes, basil, because wait till you taste it), wine, a splash of hard liquor like brandy/tequila or vodka (we are using a splash of tequila here) and some sparkling water for a little fizz.
Traditionally, red wine sangrias are more popular and favoured, but I think you’ll want to give this white wine sangria a try. It’s milder, has a light sweetness and tang, and is not as heavy as a red wine sangria. It’s definitely more summer. Brighter and fresher.
In my experience, sangrias usually need a lot of fruits and some resting time. Make sure to mix this a couple of hours ahead to let the fruit soak in the wine and the flavors intensify. This can even be made and left to rest overnight if you are hosting a summer brunch.
Best Wine for White Wine Sangria
Choose a dry, crispy wine like Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio. Don’t use something very expensive, but stick to cheaper bottles of wine that you can drink on its own.
I’m obviously a big fan of the guys over at Big Banyan wines and we are using their Chardonnay to make these white wine sangrias. The Chardonnay has aromas of pears and pineapple which work beautifully with the strawberries and oranges in the sangria. It’s a balanced wine that has a mild butterscotch sweetness with a hint of acidity. We need both when we are making a Sangria. It’s the perfect brunch wine because it pairs really well with goats’ cheese, asparagus salads and even fish.
Fruits in White Wine Sangria
A variety of fruits can be used in white sangria. Choose from strawberries, oranges, mangoes, plums, peaches, nectarines, apples and raspberries. Pick whatever is in season. Just use fruits that blend easily with alcohol and remind you of summer. You can also use frozen fruit and you don’t have to thaw them before using.
Make this Sangria ahead
To make this ahead, add fruits, herbs and wine and refrigerate this till you are ready to use it. When ready to serve add sprite/ prosecco/ club soda and serve immediately. The refrigeration gives everything time to meld, and keeps it chilled. Don’t add ice to the pitcher or it’ll dilute the sangria. Instead, chill the wine, fruits and soda beforehand so that you have a cold glass of white sangria ready to drink.
Obviously, we are serving this Sangria with our ultimate cheese board because summer’s here! So, let’s bring out the pitchers and celebrate the season.
This post is sponsored by our friends over at Big Banyan Wines who make delicious wines that we enjoy so much. Like we always say, drink responsibly.
More Cocktails:
- Red Wine Spritzer
- Strawberry Moscow Mule
- Orange Cinnamon Whisky Smash
- Cranberry Ginger Cocktail
- Mango Jalapeno Fizzy Cocktail
- Cucumber Chilli Gin
Watch White Wine Sangria Recipe Video
This recipe was originally published on April 10, 2018 and updated on 11 June, 2020 with a video and more tips to making sangria but no changes to the original recipe
Strawberry Orange White Wine Sangria
Ingredients
- 2 cups sliced Strawberries
- 1 Orange sliced
- 1 cup loosely packed Basil
- 2 Lime sliced
- 1 bottle Chardonnay White Wine
- ½ cup Tequila/Vodka/Brandy
- 3 cups Sparkling Water or Soda
Instructions
- Prep the fruits: Leave the peels on while slicing the oranges and lime. Add the fruits, lime and basil to a pitcher.
- Alcohol: Pour tequila and wine over the fruits and give it a stir.
- Rest: Refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours or preferably overnight. The taste will intensify and get better as it sits in the fridge. When you are ready to serve, pour in the sparkling water or soda. Serve immediately.
refrehsing and very fruity on a hot summer day – perfect
You did not specify basil leaves. Loosely packed basil would refer to chop the basil oops
Hey B, you can either use whole or roughly chopped basil leaves
It’s disgusting to have to print out ads when I click on print in your blog! What a mess and a waste of paper!!!
I’m sorry about that Carol, but ads are what pay for the free recipes I share with people like you.
Have a sook carol
Do you think it would work with a Rose. I’m out if white and can’t get to the store.
Absolutely! Rose will work beautifully here
Came out really nice. Super simple too.
Thank YOU!
What kind of sparkling water or soda do you use?
Hey Cathy, I either use Club Soda or Sprite. It depends on what we are in the mood for at that time. The sprite adds a nice sweetness to the sangria.
Can you replace the basil with mint?
Sure that should work too