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This Sparkling Red, White and Blue Sangria is super easy to make, full of fresh and delicious flavors, and the perfect drink to celebrate the 4th of July or Memorial Day!
Growing up in my family, a “sparkling” fireworks display on the 4th of July was not something you watched.
Heck, no. Fireworks were what we did. ;)
From the days when I was a toddler and could ooh and ahhh over holding my first sparkler, to the epic days in college when we would light up hundreds of dollars of the craziest behind-the-counter fireworks we could get our hands on (and then once those ran out, naturally, blow up just about anything else we could find), the 4th of July in our family was a participatory celebration of patriotism and pyromania. Everyone got involved. Everyone lit or blew at least one thing up. And everyone always had an epically good time.
In fact, I still remember being completely perplexed the first summer that I had moved to Kansas City and piled in the car with some friends to “go out” for fireworks that evening…and they drove us to a big park to watch them being shot off a mile away into the sky. I couldn’t believe it! I mean, what was the fun in that?!?
Well, as all of my cousins have grown up into their 20s and 30s and have now mostly moved out of state or out of the country, unfortunately our family’s pyro parties now rarely happen. And living in a city where fireworks are outlawed, I have finally learned to appreciate a good rooftop party with good friends watching everything sparkle and boom from afar. But this year, I’m actually going to be back home again on the 4th of July taking care of my mom after her surgery. And it just so happens that I spied a fireworks stand just down the road from them when I was in town last weekend. So I think it only seems reasonable that I blow up light up a little something sparkly. You know, just for old time’s sake, right? Right?? :)
Well, whether you’re the type of person who spends your 4th of July lighting up bottle rockets or kicking it back with a bottle of beer, I have a new recipe today that’s sure to also help make your holiday a little extra sparkling. It’s super easy to make. It’s fresh and sweet and delicious. And I’m pretty sure it’s guaranteed to be the hit of your patriotic party.
Let’s make some red, white and blue sparkling sangria!
Sparkling Sangria Ingredients:
To make this red, white and blue sparkling sangria recipe, you will need:
White wine: One bottle of any kind of (still, not sparkling) white wine that you love best. I recommend a more dry white wine, so that the sangria is not overly-sweet, but any white wine will do. Also, no need to splurge on an expensive bottle! Sangria here in Spain is typically made with less-expensive or leftover wine. ;)
Sparkling white wine: We will also add in a bottle of sparkling white wine (such as cava or champagne) just before serving to make the sangria “sparkle.”
Berries: Strawberries, raspberries and blueberries will serve as our “red and blue”.
Apples: Then just thinly slice some crisp apples to serve as our “white.” If you have a small star cookie cutter(affiliate link) on hand, you can cut the apple slices into star shapes. Or for an easier option, just add the apple slices straight to the sangria whole.
Liqueur: Brandy is the liqueur that is most traditionally added to sangria. But you’re welcome to add cognac, orange liqueur (such as Grand Marnier, Cointreau or Triple Sec), white vermouth, or whatever sounds good.
Ice: For serving.
How To Make Sangria:
To make this easy sangria recipe, simply…
Mix together the base ingredients. Stir together white wine, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and orange in a large pitcher.
Cover and refrigerate. Pop the pitcher in the refrigerator for anywhere from 1-4 hours, so that the drink can chill and all of those fruity flavors can meld.
Stir in the “sparkles.” Once you’re ready to serve the sangria, stir in the sparkling white wine, apples and a handful of ice.
Serve! Then pour the sangria over ice, serve and enjoy!
Possible Variations:
Here are a few other options that you’re welcome to try!
Use different red fruits: In place of (or in addition to) the strawberries and raspberries, feel free to add in watermelon, cherries, plums, red grapes, or pomegranate arils.
Use different white fruits: In place of (or in addition to) the apples, feel free to add in pears, jicama, pineapple or starfruit.
Use rosé wine: In keeping with the red, white and blue theme, rosé wine would also work as a base for this sangria.
Nix the “sparkling”: If you don’t have a bottle of sparkling wine on hand, feel free to just use two bottles of (still) white wine.
More Red, White & Blue Recipes:
Looking for some more recipe inspiration for the 4th of July or Memorial Day? Here are a few of my favorite red, white and blue recipes here on the blog!
Stir together white wine, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and orange in a large pitcher. Cover and refrigerate for 1 to 4 hours*, so that the flavors can meld.
Once you’re ready to serve the sangria, stir in the sparkling white wine, apples and a handful of ice.
Serve immediately over ice and enjoy!
Notes
*Recipe Update: The original version of this recipe called for 1 cup of apple juice (or white juice) instead of the brandy. I prefer the liqueur to give it more of a kick and reduce the sweetness of the sangria.
*Chilling Time: Heads up that the longer the sangria sits, the redder it will likely become. So if you would like a whiter sangria, I recommend serving it immediately.
Love love love! Too cute for the 4th, had to pin and tweet right away! I remember blowing up… Ah … I mean… Lighting sparklers back in the day too. It was so exciting when I was a kid. I also live in a fireworks are banned area. The fines are huge! So I think it will be watching from the park for us. But you should definitely blow something up for old times and maybe light up an extra one for those of us who can’t. Have fun!
this sounds yummy! your directions say to combine the champagne, fruit, and honey, but you don’t list honey with the ingredients – do we need to use honey or the apple juice you listed? thanks!
Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven —
Hey there! It was actually a typo (apple juice instead of honey.) We fixed it now, and we apologize for the mixup. We hope you enjoy!
Fireworks are legal here and I have similar childhood memories as you do – at least everyone lights something! Also, I didn’t know your mom was having surgery – please send her my best. xo
Wow, what a gorgeous drink! Sangria is my serving drink of choice for parties as well and I love your idea of cutting out little stars from the apples as the ‘white’ part of your drink. Of course, anything sparkle is also fun.
Love this presentation – and can’t wait to make your recipe on Saturday for our BBQ. Quick question – the directions mention honey, but I don’t see that in the ingredient list? Thanks!
Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven —
Hey Stephanie, it was a typo and it is fixed now, we apologize for the mixup!
Made Sangria at my pool & spa 4th of July party. Used 1 bottle of Gallo Sweet Peach Wine and 1 bottle of Sweet Pineapple Wine. Added 2 bottles of Sparking Wine & Assorted frozen fruit. A Hit!
Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven —
That sounds yummy! We’re glad you enjoyed the recipe and that it was a hit at your party! :)
What would you use for total non alcoholic? Just sparkling white grape juice instead of apple juice and other alcohol? I’m having a 4th of July/baby gender reveal party so I want to make this just non-alcoholic and then I can have wine on the side for people to pour in if they want it. Please let me know which is best, thanks!
Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven —
Hi Stephanie! Yes, we think you could probably try this with sparkling white grape juice, or Martinelli’s Sparkling Apple Cider (or a combination of the two). We hope this helps, and congrats to you! :)
So the apples won’t turn brown like they normally do? I’m making this for a 4th party and wanted to make sure :)
I read that yours didn’t but I wonder what makes them from not turning brown. Thanks
Thank you for including other options to the apples! I am deathly allergic to apples and there is very rarely a substitute (which is understandable since I’ve only ever met 2 other people allergic to the fruit in my life).
Although I’m Canadian and it’s past the 4th of July. My partner is American so I’m throwing him a little America Day party for 2 at our place and this recipe is perfect!
From the days when I was a toddler and could ooh and ahhh over holding my first sparkler, to the epic days in college when we would light up hundreds of dollars of the craziest behind-the-counter fireworks we could get our hands on (and then once those ran out, naturally, blow up just about anything else we could find), the 4th of July in our family was a participatory celebration of patriotism and pyromania. Everyone got involved. Everyone lit or blew at least one thing up. And everyone always had an epically good time.
I am in charge of drink this memorial day and excited to give this a try. I see the update about the bandy/orange liquor instead of apple juice. The instruction don’t say when to add it. With the base ingredients or before serving?
Love love love! Too cute for the 4th, had to pin and tweet right away! I remember blowing up… Ah … I mean… Lighting sparklers back in the day too. It was so exciting when I was a kid. I also live in a fireworks are banned area. The fines are huge! So I think it will be watching from the park for us. But you should definitely blow something up for old times and maybe light up an extra one for those of us who can’t. Have fun!
Thanks Michelle, I think I might have to! ; ) Hope you have a wonderful 4th!
Looks great – I’m definitely going to try this! How much honey do you add?
Hey Sandra, this was actually a typo (apple juice instead of honey.) We fixed it and are sorry for the confusion. We hope you enjoy!
Looks delicious! How much honey should we add? Do you think it would taste just as good with red wine instead of white?
Hey Melissa, it was actually a typo (apple juice instead of honey.) We fixed it now, and we apologize for the mixup. We hope you enjoy!
this sounds yummy! your directions say to combine the champagne, fruit, and honey, but you don’t list honey with the ingredients – do we need to use honey or the apple juice you listed? thanks!
Hey there! It was actually a typo (apple juice instead of honey.) We fixed it now, and we apologize for the mixup. We hope you enjoy!
Such a fun idea!
Love this recipe! The apple stars are such a cute idea. How much honey should be added to the mixture? Totally making this on Saturday :)
Hey Blake, it was actually a typo (apple juice instead of honey.) It’s all fixed now, but we apologize for the mixup!
The directions mention honey. Am I missing it from the ingredient list?
Hey Lori, it was a typo (apple juice instead of honey), but it’s fixed now. We apologize for the mixup, and hope you enjoy!
Fireworks are legal here and I have similar childhood memories as you do – at least everyone lights something! Also, I didn’t know your mom was having surgery – please send her my best. xo
Wow, what a gorgeous drink! Sangria is my serving drink of choice for parties as well and I love your idea of cutting out little stars from the apples as the ‘white’ part of your drink. Of course, anything sparkle is also fun.
Perfect!! Gorgeous! I would like a big glass of it right now! Pinned!!
This definitely looks like the perfect way to celebrate the 4th to me! Thanks for sharing Ali.
Josh | The Kentucky Gent
https://thekentuckygent.com
Thanks, we hope you love it, and that you have a great 4th! : )
Such an adorable Fourth of July cocktail! Loving how creative it is :)
Love this presentation – and can’t wait to make your recipe on Saturday for our BBQ. Quick question – the directions mention honey, but I don’t see that in the ingredient list? Thanks!
Hey Stephanie, it was a typo and it is fixed now, we apologize for the mixup!
thanks for fixing the honey/apple juice mix-up – i just wanted to make it the right way – we’ll be enjoying it this weekend! happy 4th!
No problem, we hope you love it and that you have a great 4th as well! : )
This is so perfect for patio drinking on the 4th of July……Thank you for sharing! I hope you have a great holiday.
Thanks Anna, we hope you love it!
It looks so tasty. I’d love to try it :)
Thanks, we hope you enjoy!
I’m a little late, but this looks like an amazing drink for any time of the year! Pinned! Thanks for sharing.
No worries, it’s still July after all! We hope you enjoy! :)
Made Sangria at my pool & spa 4th of July party. Used 1 bottle of Gallo Sweet Peach Wine and 1 bottle of Sweet Pineapple Wine. Added 2 bottles of Sparking Wine & Assorted frozen fruit. A Hit!
That sounds yummy! We’re glad you enjoyed the recipe and that it was a hit at your party! :)
What would you use for total non alcoholic? Just sparkling white grape juice instead of apple juice and other alcohol? I’m having a 4th of July/baby gender reveal party so I want to make this just non-alcoholic and then I can have wine on the side for people to pour in if they want it. Please let me know which is best, thanks!
Hi Stephanie! Yes, we think you could probably try this with sparkling white grape juice, or Martinelli’s Sparkling Apple Cider (or a combination of the two). We hope this helps, and congrats to you! :)
I am serving this at my July 4th party! I am so excited to try it! I am a REALTOR® in the Austin Texas area and love to enteratain.
That’s wonderful, Betty, we hope you enjoy it! :)
Hello, was wondering if I can put this is individual Mason jars?
Yes, definitely! :) We hope you enjoy!
great idea, great for a party and love apple “stars!”, in addition to blueberries and strawberries! Nice blend of color throughout, thank you!
Thanks, Sabrina, we hope you enjoy!
what a beautiful drinks….Im gonna use the tips for make a sangria!
Awesome, enjoy!
I don’t have time to make it this weekend but I’ll post it on my blog! Fun and appealing recipe!
Awesome, thank you!
So the apples won’t turn brown like they normally do? I’m making this for a 4th party and wanted to make sure :)
I read that yours didn’t but I wonder what makes them from not turning brown. Thanks
I am making this for the Fourth of July, I can’t wait to try it! Do you prefer the apple juice or the white grape juice in it?
Awesome!! I really love either, but prefer the white grape juice. Enjoy!
What size bottle of wine should you use?
Just a regular 750 ml bottle :)
Can’t wait to try this!!!! Just got done prepping!!
Yay, enjoy!
This look so delicious, this great recipe for hot summer days.
Thanks, Samantha, we hope you enjoy!
Thank you for including other options to the apples! I am deathly allergic to apples and there is very rarely a substitute (which is understandable since I’ve only ever met 2 other people allergic to the fruit in my life).
Although I’m Canadian and it’s past the 4th of July. My partner is American so I’m throwing him a little America Day party for 2 at our place and this recipe is perfect!
From the days when I was a toddler and could ooh and ahhh over holding my first sparkler, to the epic days in college when we would light up hundreds of dollars of the craziest behind-the-counter fireworks we could get our hands on (and then once those ran out, naturally, blow up just about anything else we could find), the 4th of July in our family was a participatory celebration of patriotism and pyromania. Everyone got involved. Everyone lit or blew at least one thing up. And everyone always had an epically good time.
I am in charge of drink this memorial day and excited to give this a try. I see the update about the bandy/orange liquor instead of apple juice. The instruction don’t say when to add it. With the base ingredients or before serving?
Any ideas for making this a Christmas theme sangria? Cranberries, pomegranate, red wine maybe? I’m hosting a baby shower in Dec.