White Sangria

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

Bright, light, and fruity, a few glasses of White Sangria on a hot day will soon become a summer tradition.

It’s getting close to lunchtime, and the day is hot. The blue sky overhead, marked with a few fluffy clouds here and there, is bright and brilliant. As you walk into your backyard, the sun is already making you sweat. The pool is clear and cool, ready to refresh anyone who jumps in. In a little while, the family will be out here, sitting and chatting under giant umbrellas while the kids run around with Super Soakers. Cannonballs into the deep end might splash a few of us, but we know the risks and are totally fine with it.

The only thing missing is some drinks. Not the kiddie-friendly lemonade or soda-pop… the adults require something stronger, with a little kick. We need to beat the heat, too, so a light and bubbly beverage sounds like the kind of thing that’ll hit the spot for everyone. I had just grabbed some fresh fruit from the local farmer’s market a few hours before, and they gave me an idea. Retreating to the kitchen, I began to gather what I needed—a large pitcher, knife, cutting board—and got busy.

In the fridge are usually a few bottles of white wine and champagne, ready at a moment’s notice for any occasion. I grabbed a chilled Pinot Grigio, a light and fruity tipple with hints of honeysuckle… perfect for the White Sangria I’ll be making for everyone. Some triple sec from the liquor cabinet sounds like a good idea as well, so I’ll be adding that too. Pouring the whole bottle of wine into the pitcher, along with a quarter cup of the orange liqueur, I soon began to make short work of the fruit, slicing up juicy and plump oranges, lemons, limes, peaches and strawberries. Adding these to the wine and liqueur mixture, I then stirred it all up.

Club soda was poured in, a little at a time. I do this to make sure that the flavors balance out without too much dilution. You want the carbonation to lighten the flavor and lift the overall sweetness, hiding the taste of the alcohol a little. The pitcher of White Sangria I brought out to my family was the hit I expected it to be. Before I knew it, the whole thing was gone.

Time to make some more.

What is the Best Wine to Use in a White Sangria?

I mentioned above that a Pinot Grigio is a fantastic choice to make a White Sangria with. Our recipe also recommends a Sauvignon Blanc, which is a more acidic and tropical forward wine compared to the other sweeter, more floral one. While both are fruity, using one or the other will depend on how you’d like your sangria to taste. The Blanc will lean toward an earthy, more aromatic experience, whereas the Grigio is more neutral in the nose department.

What glassware and garnish are used?

Apart from the large pitcher you used to make your White Sangria, pouring the drink into a wide rocks glass filled with ice is a comfortable way to imbibe. Make sure you save a little room for the fruit to be added.

What other fruits are good in a White Sangria?

Depends on what flavors you prefer. I like to use raspberries, blackberries and blueberries along with the citrus fruit and strawberries that our recipe calls for.

Similar Drinks to the White Sangria

When your house is full and the barbecue grill is seeing a lot of action, it must be summertime. A pitcher of something sweet, cold and boozy always makes your guests happy, so it’s a good idea to know how to make some of these crowd-pleasing cocktails. Twist & Toast has some easy-to-make and drink recipes that’ll be right at home in your backyard. Try these out and explore the site for even more ideas.

• Sweet July Rose Sangria – Fruity, boozy, light and crisp, this sangria recipe is a must-have for your repertoire.
• Blood Orange Amaretto – This sparkling and strong cocktail combines vodka and amaretto for a robust affair.
• White Wine Spritzer – Watch the sunset as you sip on a light and bubbly White Wine Spritzer.
• Prosecco Sorbet – A perfect way to spend a hot afternoon is with this frozen and dessert-like beverage.