Easy White Wine Sangria Recipe

Easy white wine Sangria recipe

Most people associate Sangria with red wine. Rightly so, given that its name is derived from the Spanish word for blood (‘sangre’). A traditional red Sangria cocktail is made with a delicious mixture of red wine, juice and fresh chopped fruit.

White Sangria is a modern and refreshing twist on its classic cousin. Flavoured with tart citrus and sweet and ripe stone fruit, it’s the perfect way to enjoy a warm and balmy Australian summer afternoon.

To make a white Sangria, light to medium-bodied dry style of White Wine works best. Given the cocktail’s Iberian heritage, a Spanish Albariño (or Alvarinho as it's known in Portugal) is the ideal choice. It’s not always easy to get your hands on Albariño/Alvarinho in Australia, but a crisp and minerally Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio make fantastic alternatives. Prosecco is also a great choice if you prefer a Sangria that sparkles.

Tips for making white wine Sangria

Follow the basic rules below to obtain the best Sangria:

While Sangria is very versatile and lends itself to different ingredients, it’s still important to use a good drinkable white wine. Do not use an old wine or one that you wouldn’t drink, as it will affect the fresh flavours of the fruit.
A dry and crisp white wine e.g. Albariño/Alvarinho, Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, work best in a white Sangria. If you prefer a sweeter cocktail, try a wine with sweeter, fruitier flavours such as a Riesling or Moscato. A Prosecco is also a great choice if you like your Sangria with a little fizz. Avoid bold, heavier-bodied white wines like Chardonnay or an aged Semillon, as they can interfere with the delicate flavours of the fruit.
Use fresh citrus fruit and a combination of white fruits such as apples, nectarines or peaches for a lovely summery flavour. Grapes and strawberries are also great additions for colour and sweetness.
Allow the fruits to macerate for a few hours so that the wine has a chance to soak up the delicious flavours and add natural sweetness.
Add sugar to your taste. Fine white sugar is best as it is easier to dissolve, but honey, date syrup, and coconut sugar also work well.
As an optional extra, add some brandy and/or orange-flavoured liqueur to enhance the flavours of the Sangria.

White wine Sangria ingredients

For this white Sangria recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

750ml 2022 McGuigan Mastercraft Pinot Grigio
1 lemon
1 lime
1 white nectarine
½ large apple

Handful of strawberries or green grapes
⅔ cup white sugar
2 cups sparkling or soda water, or ginger ale
60ml of brandy (optional)
60ml orange liqueur e.g. Grand Marnier (optional)

To make a non-alcoholic white Sangria, replace the Pinot Grigio with McGuigan Zero Alcohol Sauvignon Blanc and omit the brandy and orange liqueur.

How to make white wine Sangria

Slice the citrus fruits into quarters, remove the seeds and place in a large bowl.
Chop the seeded apple and nectarine into chunks, slice the strawberries and grapes lengthwise and add to the bowl.
Add the sugar to the fruit and mix well. Once the sugar has dissolved, add the brandy and liqueur (if using), and place the bowl in the fridge to allow the mixture to macerate for at least three hours.
When you are ready to serve, transfer the marinated fruit into a large glass jug and add the chilled white wine. Gently stir everything together with a wooden spoon.
Add the sparkling water or ginger ale to the jug and stir.
Serve the white wine Sangria in glasses filled with ice cubes.

What white wines are good for Sangria?

To make this white wine Sangria recipe, we recommend using the following McGuigan white wine options:

2022 McGuigan Mastercraft Pinot Grigio
With delicate floral aromas that flow onto tropical fruit flavours and balanced by a clean citrus finish, this Pinot Grigio is a fantastic choice for making a refreshing white Sangria.
2022 McGuigan Mastercraft Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc
Notes of gooseberry and green capsicum with underlying tropical aromas. This Sauvignon Blanc has crisp and dry with flavours of grapefruit and lime that seamlessly combine with fresh green herb characters.
McGuigan Zero Alcohol Sauvignon Blanc
McGuigan Zero allows you to enjoy full-flavoured wine without the alcohol. This refreshing Sauvignon Blanc delivers flavours of passionfruit and lime and has a clean and crisp finish. It’s perfect for making a white Sangria that can be enjoyed by non-drinkers, pregnant women, designated drivers, and even children.

For a non-alcoholic classic red Sangria, McGuigan Zero Sangria Recipe that uses McGuigan Zero Alcohol Shiraz.