Best White Sangria: A Fresh, Fruity Recipe for Sharing

White sangria is a bright, refreshing take on the Spanish classic. Made with white wine, fresh fruit and a splash of something sparkling, it’s easy to prepare ahead and ideal for warm afternoons, garden parties or a relaxed dinner with friends.

The best white sangria is balanced rather than overly sweet: crisp wine provides the base, citrus adds a little zing, ripe fruit brings natural sweetness and sparkling water or lemonade gives it a lively finish. Here’s a simple recipe to make at home.

Easy white sangria recipe

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 15 minutes, plus chilling

Ingredients

• 1 bottle (750 ml) dry white wine, such as Albariño, Verdejo or Sauvignon Blanc
• 1 orange, thinly sliced
• 1 lemon, thinly sliced
• 1 peach or nectarine, stoned and sliced
• 100 g green grapes, halved
• 2 tablespoons brandy or orange liqueur (optional)
• 1–2 tablespoons caster sugar, to taste (optional)
• 250 ml sparkling water or lemonade, chilled
• Ice, to serve
• A few sprigs of fresh mint, optional

Method

1. Put the orange, lemon, peach and grapes into a large jug.
2. Pour in the white wine and, if using, the brandy or orange liqueur. Add the sugar and stir until it dissolves.
3. Cover and chill for at least two hours so the fruit has time to infuse the wine.
4. Just before serving, add the sparkling water or lemonade. Taste and adjust with a little more sugar or sparkling water if needed.
5. Serve over ice, making sure each glass gets a generous spoonful of fruit. Add mint if you like.

Choosing the right wine

Pick a dry, fresh white wine with good acidity. There’s no need to choose an expensive bottle, as the fruit and other ingredients will shape the flavour. Spanish options such as Albariño or Verdejo are a natural fit, while Sauvignon Blanc also works well. Avoid wines that are very oaky or strongly sweet, which can make the finished drink feel heavy.

How to make your sangria taste its best

• Chill before serving. Give the wine and fruit time to mingle in the fridge. Two hours is a good starting point; a few hours more can deepen the fruit flavour.
• Add the fizz at the end. Stir in sparkling water or lemonade just before serving to keep the drink lively.
• Use ripe, seasonal fruit. Peaches, nectarines, berries, apples and pears can all work well. Choose fruit that’s flavourful but still firm enough to hold its shape.
• Sweeten gradually. Start with little or no sugar, then taste once the fruit has infused. Lemonade will add sweetness too.
• Serve it properly chilled. Use plenty of ice in the glasses rather than leaving a jug of sangria to sit over ice, which can dilute it.

White sangria variations

Berry and elderflower: Swap the peach and grapes for strawberries, raspberries and a small splash of elderflower cordial.

Mediterranean citrus: Use orange, lemon and pink grapefruit, with sparkling water for a crisp, less-sweet finish.

Summer stone fruit: Combine peach, nectarine and apricot, and add a few fresh basil leaves for an aromatic twist.

Lower-alcohol option: Leave out the brandy or liqueur and use extra sparkling water. For a non-alcoholic version, replace the wine with chilled white grape juice and add lemon juice and sparkling water to balance the sweetness.

Can you make white sangria ahead?

Yes. Mix the wine, fruit and any optional spirit a few hours ahead and keep the jug covered in the fridge. For the freshest flavour and best fizz, add sparkling water or lemonade just before serving. If preparing it the day before, add delicate fruit such as berries closer to serving time.

What to serve with white sangria

White sangria pairs well with the relaxed, shareable flavours of Spanish-inspired food. Try it with olives, manchego, grilled prawns, tortilla española, patatas bravas or a selection of tapas. Its crisp fruitiness also complements salads and lightly spiced dishes.

With a good dry wine, ripe fruit and a little time to chill, white sangria is simple to make and easy to adapt. Keep the sweetness balanced, add the fizz at the last moment and serve it cold for a refreshing drink made for sharing.

6 Tips for Making the Best White Sangria

1. Choose a crisp, dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc.
2. Use fresh citrus, peaches, apples or seasonal berries.
3. Add a little brandy or orange liqueur for depth.
4. Sweeten lightly with sugar, honey or cordial to taste.
5. Chill for a few hours so the flavours mingle.
6. Add sparkling water just before serving for a lively finish.

Choose a crisp, dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc.

Choose a crisp, dry white wine for your sangria to keep it refreshing and balanced. Sauvignon Blanc is a great choice, with its bright acidity and fresh citrus notes complementing the fruit without making the drink overly sweet.

Use fresh citrus, peaches, apples or seasonal berries.

Use fresh, ripe fruit to give white sangria its vibrant flavour and natural sweetness. Citrus such as oranges and lemons adds a refreshing zing, while peaches bring a soft, summery aroma. Crisp apples offer a pleasant bite, and seasonal berries add colour and a burst of fruitiness. Choose fruit that’s in season for the best flavour, and slice it just before adding it to the jug.

Add a little brandy or orange liqueur for depth.

A small splash of brandy or orange liqueur can add warmth and depth to white sangria, bringing out the fruit’s natural flavours without overpowering the wine. Add it gradually, taste as you go and remember that liqueur will make the drink sweeter, so you may need less sugar.

Sweeten lightly with sugar, honey or cordial to taste.

Sweeten your white sangria lightly, tasting as you go. A little sugar dissolves easily, while honey adds a gentle floral note and cordial brings extra fruitiness. Start with a small amount, then adjust to suit the sweetness of your wine and fruit—keeping the balance fresh and bright rather than overly sweet.

Chill for a few hours so the flavours mingle.

Chill your white sangria for a few hours before serving to give the fruit time to infuse the wine and let the flavours mingle. This makes for a more fragrant, balanced drink. Add any sparkling water or lemonade just before serving to keep it crisp and fizzy.

Add sparkling water just before serving for a lively finish.

For a lively finish, add chilled sparkling water to your white sangria just before serving. This keeps the bubbles fresh and adds a light, refreshing lift without making the drink too sweet.