Sangria is a popular wine mocktail that has become a buzzword around the world. It’s become a trendy punch to serve at a glitzy restaurant and a homemade delight to indulge in when it gets too hot. But where exactly did this delicious drink come from, and how did it turn into the worldwide sensation it is today? 

Sangria started out as “hippocras” in early Greece and Rome. This was a basic mix of watered-down wine, and sugar spices and in general, anything at hand. This was because potable water was not prevalent, and the alcohol made the water tasty and drinkable. This spread far and wide, and in Spain, wine gained popularity in the form of sangria, wine mixed with fruits, particularly citruses. This is where it got its initial fame, and soon after no picnic nor pavement restaurant meal was complete without a jug of cold sangria. 

Sangria took off from Spain and spread around Europe, with many variations being made to its traditional form of thick red wine and fruit. Soon there were English and French sangrias with white wine, rosés and more. The delightfully fruity and sweet nature of the drink made it a favourite across the continent. Soon the USA was hopping on the bandwagon as well. This happened due to the large quantities of sangria served by the Spanish sponsored pavilion in the 1964 world’s fair in New York city. Now, sangria has become a buzzword in the wine community, and this drink is definitely more than a punch, though it surely packs a punch. 

Here are a couple sangria recipes to get you started with. And with time, you’ll surely be whipping up your own recipes. Sangria is best enjoyed when made in large jugs at home, and chilled, for a truly unique experience. Give these fun non- alcoholic wine sangria recipes a go this summer!

Traditional White Wine Sangria Recipe

 

RECIPES

TRADITIONAL SPANISH SANGRIA

 

Ingredients 

• 1 bottle of non-alcoholic Red wine 
• 1/2 cup simple syrup
• 1 cup chopped Green apples
• 1 cup chopped Oranges
• 1 cup chopped Lemons
• Soda (optional) 

Directions

• Put all the sliced fruit in a pitcher.
• Lightly muddle but do not entirely squeeze the fruit. 
• Add in the chilled red wine.
• Mix in the simple syrup and stir till dissolved.
• Add a splash of soda just before serving if you prefer a bubbly sangria.
• Garnish with a lemon slice on the rim.  

 

WHITE WINE SANGRIA 

Ingredients 

• 1 bottle of non-alcoholic white wine
• 1 cup chopped strawberries 
• 2 sliced peaches
• 2 sliced kiwis
• Simple syrup
• Soda (optional)
• A sprig of mint 

Directions

• Add all the fruit in the pitcher. 
• Muddle lightly. 
• Add in the wine. 
• Mix in simple syrup and stir to dissolve.
• Add in soda if you prefer a bubbly white wine sangria. 
• Garnish with mint leaves.

 

 

ROSÉ SANGRIA

Ingredients 

• 1 bottle non-alcoholic sparkling rosé 
• 1 cup chopped strawberries 
• 1 cup chopped oranges
• 1 cup raspberries
• Maple syrup

Directions

• Add the fruit in the pitcher.
• Muddle lightly. 
• Add in the chilled rosé.
• Add in maple syrup to the required level of sweetness.
• Garnish with strawberry and serve.

Sangria is extremely simple to make at home and can be custom made to suit your tastes. Always pick a red wine which is not too high in tannins for the best fruity flavour. Mix up the fruits in the recipes, add different sweeteners like sugar, brown sugar and experiment with the taste, try it with and without soda. The options for sangria are endless. Allow the sangria to chill in the fridge for a few hours to really allow the fruit flavor to seep into the wine, and enjoy this fun summer treat.