Ingredients
Scale
- 1 bottle (750ml) white wine (Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or Albariño)
- ¼ cup elderflower liqueur (St. Germain) or brandy
- ¼ cup white grape juice or apple juice
- 2-3 tablespoons simple syrup or honey (adjust to taste)
- 2 ripe peaches or nectarines, pitted and sliced
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1 cup green grapes, halved if large
- 1 lemon, sliced into thin rounds
- 1 lime, sliced into thin rounds
- 1 orange, sliced into thin rounds
- 1-2 cups club soda or sparkling water (added just before serving)
- Ice cubes for serving
- Optional garnishes: fresh mint sprigs, additional fruit
Instructions
- Prep All Your Fruit: Wash all fruit thoroughly. Pit and slice the peaches or nectarines into thin wedges (you can peel them if you prefer, but the skin adds color and holds the fruit together better). Hull and slice the strawberries. Halve the grapes if they’re very large, or leave them whole if medium-sized. Slice the lemon, lime, and orange into thin rounds (about ¼-inch thick), removing any seeds.
- Combine Wine Base: In a large pitcher (at least 2-quart capacity), combine the white wine, elderflower liqueur (or brandy), white grape juice, and simple syrup or honey. Stir well until the honey is completely dissolved if using honey. If using simple syrup, it will incorporate immediately.
- Add All the Beautiful Fruit: Add all your prepared fruit to the pitcher – the peaches, strawberries, grapes, lemon slices, lime slices, and orange slices. The pitcher should look abundant and colorful! Use a wooden spoon or muddler to very gently press on the fruit pieces 2-3 times. You want to lightly bruise the fruit to help release juices, not mash it into pulp. Gentle pressure is key.
- Stir Everything Together: Give everything a thorough stir with a long-handled spoon, making sure all the fruit is submerged in the wine mixture. The colors will already look gorgeous!
- Refrigerate and Let Flavors Develop: Cover the pitcher (or transfer to a container with a lid) and refrigerate for at least 2-4 hours, but ideally overnight. This resting time is absolutely crucial – it allows the fruit to release its juices and flavors into the wine, creating that signature sangria taste. The longer it rests (up to 24 hours), the more flavorful it becomes. Give it a gentle stir once or twice during the chilling time.
- Taste and Adjust Before Serving: After chilling, taste your white sangria. Too tart? Add another tablespoon of simple syrup or honey and stir well. Too sweet? Add a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice. Perfect? Leave it as is! Everyone’s sweetness preference differs, so adjust to your taste.
- Add the Sparkle: Just before serving (within 15-20 minutes), add 1-2 cups of chilled club soda or sparkling water to the pitcher. Stir very gently – you want to preserve those bubbles! The amount of club soda depends on how light and bubbly you want your sangria. More club soda = lighter and less boozy, less club soda = more wine-forward.
- Serve Over Ice with Fruit: Fill glasses with ice cubes (fill them generously!). Using a ladle or large spoon, pour the white sangria into glasses, making absolutely sure each person gets a generous portion of the wine-soaked fruit. The fruit is the best part – don’t be stingy!
- Garnish and Enjoy: If desired, garnish each glass with a sprig of fresh mint or an additional piece of fruit on the rim. Serve immediately while the bubbles are fresh and lively!
- Keep Chilled During Service: If serving outdoors or during a party, keep the pitcher in an ice bucket or add a few ice cubes to the pitcher itself to maintain that refreshing coldness.
Notes
- Wine Selection: Use a wine you’d enjoy drinking solo, but nothing too expensive. The fruit and other ingredients enhance modest wines beautifully.
- Elderflower Liqueur: St. Germain adds incredible floral complexity. If you love white sangria, this bottle is a worthy investment – it lasts for months and elevates countless cocktails.
- Sweetness Level: Start conservative with sweetener – you can always add more after tasting. The fruit releases natural sugars as it sits, naturally sweetening the sangria.
- Fruit Flexibility: Use whatever looks freshest and best at your market. Stone fruits, berries, and citrus are traditional, but tropical fruits work too!
- Club Soda Timing: Critical rule – add bubbles only right before serving, never hours ahead, or you’ll have flat sangria.
- Alcohol Strength: For stronger sangria, use ½ cup elderflower liqueur or add ¼ cup vodka. For lighter, increase club soda to 2-3 cups.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (plus 2-4 hours chilling time)
- Category: Cocktail/Beverage
- Method: Mixing/Chilling
- Cuisine: Spanish
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (8 oz) without club soda
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg