White Wine Sangria Recipe {Perfect for Summer!}

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White Wine Sangria is made with crisp white wine, summer fruits, and orange liqueur for a refreshing pitcher drink that’s perfect for summer gatherings. This light and bubbly white sangria recipe pairs perfectly with grilled meats, creamy pastas, and vegetables!

Be sure to check out this Fall Sangria with Apple Cider for an Autumn inspired version of this drink!

White Wine Sangria: The Perfect Summer Drink

White wine sangria with peaches and strawberries in a glass drinking mug.

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I don’t consider myself a big wine drinker, unless we’re talking about sangria. Then, I’m very much a wine drinker.

I was well into my adult years before I tried sangria for the first time. It was a summer day, and I was sitting on the sunny patio of an Italian restaurant. A lab couldn’t have engineered a more perfect setting for me to get my first taste of sangria.

It only took a few sips for me to know this bubbly, fruity drink would become a favorite. After ordering it at several restaurants, I started experimenting with making sangria at home, first with this White Wine Sangria and eventually with a Holiday Sangria to enjoy in the winter months.

Sangria is one of the easiest boozy cocktails to make, and, because it’s made in a giant pitcher, it’s also the ideal drink for parties, BBQs, brunches, and celebrations at home. It can be made ahead of time and doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.

This light and refreshing white wine sangria recipe is filled with fresh summer fruits and has just the right amount of bubbles. All you need is a patio and some friends to enjoy it with!

Key Ingredients

Cutting board with a bottle of triple sec, white wine, sliced peaches, strawberries, and oranges, and sugar.

White wine- The main ingredient in white sangria is white wine (surprise!). While the traditional base for sangria is red wine, I prefer the lighter, crisper flavor of white wine for the summer months. Choose a crisp, medium dry wine like Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or Riesling. Visit our FAQs to learn more about how to pick the right wine for sangria.
Fruits– I recommend a blend of summery and citrus fruits, like strawberries, peaches, and orange slices. You can use fresh or frozen fruit.
Sweetener– I use granulated white sugar, but if you prefer, you can sweeten this sangria with honey instead.
Orange liqueur– Give your sangria an extra boost of citrus with an orange liqueur like Triple Sec, Cointreau, or Grand Marnier.
Lemon lime soda– This is where you get the bubbles! Choose your favorite lemon lime soda, or, for a less sweet option, use sparkling water or Prosecco.

How to Make Sangria with White Wine

Sugar poured over strawberries and peaches in a glass pitcher.

Step 1: Muddle the fruits. Add the sliced fruits to the bottom of a large pitcher. Sprinkle with sugar, and use a wooden spoon to muddle the sugar and fruit together until the sugar starts to dissolve into the fruit.

Wooden spoon stirring fresh fruits and wine together in a glass pitcher.

Step 2: Add liquid. Pour the white wine and liqueur over the fruit and stir. Refrigerate at least two hours or overnight.

Bubbly white sangria glass with strawberry slices, orange slices, and fresh basil.

Step 3: Serve. Add the soda, stir, and pour into glasses. Garnish with fresh mint or basil sprigs.

Wine being poured into a glass pitcher with peaches, strawberries, and orange slices.

FAQs

What’s the best white wine for sangria?

Feel free to use your favorite wine in this recipe. I like a crisp, fruity, semi dry wine. My current favorite is Chateau Ste Michelle’s Riesling, which is super affordable and accessible. I don’t recommend splurging on an expensive bottle for sangria, since you’ll be adding other flavors and sweetener.

What liquor is best in white sangria?

I love the flavor of an orange liqueur, like Grand Marnier or Triple Sec, but other fruity liquors like peach schnapps or strawberry liqueur could also work well.

What fruit can you put in sangria?

We stuck with classic summer fruits in our white wine sangria, but you could mix things up with lemons, limes, nectarines, or even kiwis!

Can sangria be made ahead of time?

Yes! In fact, it should be made at least a few hours in advance so the flavors have a chance to blend together. The longer it sits, the more boozy the fruit gets, which is also a win! I’ve made it up to 24 hours ahead of time. Any longer than that and the fruit can get too mushy. Just be sure to add the bubbles right before serving, so the carbonation doesn’t go flat.

Should sangria be carbonated?

Sangria doesn’t have to be bubbly! If you prefer, omit the soda. You can also switch up the flavors of the soda. I like the flavor of Sprite, but plain carbonated water also works. And flavored fruity or citrus club sodas are also lovely!

Glass of white sangria with fresh basil sprig, strawberries, and orange garnish.

What Food Goes with White Sangria?

White sangria pairs well with grilled meats, fish, light and creamy pasta dishes, and salads. Here are a few of our favorite pairings:

Grilled Meats:

Fish:

Creamy Pastas:

For sides and appetizers that pair with sangria, try this Caprese Pizza, Roasted Tomatoes and Burrata, Arugula Salad with Lemon Dressing, or Italian Bruschetta!

If you love the flavors in this Summer Sangria, you may also want to try our Peach Cherry Wine Slushies!