Last updated: November 7, 2026
White wine sangria is a crisp, fruity pitcher drink made by chilling dry white wine with brandy, orange liqueur, and fresh fruit for a few hours. This version serves eight and takes about 15 minutes of hands-on work, and the full recipe card is below.
How to Make White Wine Sangria in 15 Minutes
White wine sangria comes together in a single pitcher. You slice the fruit, add the brandy, orange liqueur, and simple syrup, pour in the wine, and chill it for at least 2 hours.
The sparkling water goes in right before serving so the drink stays lively. You need a pitcher that holds at least 2 quarts, and everything else happens in the refrigerator while you get ready for guests.
White Wine Sangria Ingredients
Start with one 750 ml bottle of dry white wine, then add 1/2 cup of brandy, 1/4 cup of orange liqueur such as Cointreau or triple sec, and 1/4 cup of simple syrup. Simple syrup is equal parts sugar and hot water stirred until the sugar dissolves and then cooled, and you need 1/4 cup of the finished syrup.
For the fruit, slice 2 ripe peaches, dice 1 crisp green apple, slice 1 lemon and 1 orange into thin rounds, and halve 1 cup of green grapes. Right before serving, add 1 cup of chilled sparkling water or club soda, and keep plenty of ice on hand.
Step by Step Method
Wash the fruit and place all of it in your pitcher, then pour in the brandy, orange liqueur, and simple syrup. Stir gently for about 30 seconds so the fruit releases a little of its juice.
Pour in the wine and stir once more. Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, though 4 hours gives the best flavor and up to 24 hours works well.
Just before serving, stir in the chilled sparkling water. Fill glasses with ice, pour the sangria over the top, and spoon a few pieces of fruit into each glass.
The Best Wine for White Wine Sangria
The best wine for white wine sangria is a dry, crisp, unoaked white that you would happily drink on its own. Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, and Albariño all stay bright once the fruit and liqueur go in.
Skip sweet wines like Moscato, because they turn the pitcher syrupy once the simple syrup is added. Also skip heavily oaked Chardonnay, since the buttery vanilla flavor clashes with the citrus.
An affordable bottle is plenty here, because the fruit, brandy, and orange liqueur do a lot of the work. Save the expensive bottle for sipping.
Which Brandy and Orange Liqueur to Use
Any inexpensive brandy works, and a Spanish brandy de Jerez gives the most authentic flavor. The brandy adds a warm, rounded depth that wine and fruit alone cannot match.
Cointreau gives a clean orange flavor, while triple sec is a budget friendly alternative that tastes slightly sweeter. If you want a floral twist, a splash of elderflower liqueur can replace part of the orange liqueur, though the card below keeps it simple with orange.
Fruit Choices and Seasonal Swaps for White Wine Sangria
Peaches, green apple, lemon, orange, and green grapes are the classic mix because they stay firm and taste bright after hours in wine. The apple adds crunch, the citrus adds sharpness, and the grapes soak up the wine so each one tastes like a little treat.
In colder months, frozen peach slices work just as well and help keep the pitcher cold. You can also swap the peaches for sliced ripe pears and add a handful of pomegranate seeds for a holiday look, though the card uses peaches, so treat the pear version as optional.
Soft berries like raspberries and sliced strawberries taste lovely but break down quickly in wine. Add them to the pitcher just before serving rather than at the start.
Storing and Making Ahead
White wine sangria is best within 24 hours of mixing, which makes it ideal for parties. Keep it covered in the refrigerator and add the sparkling water only to the portion you are serving.
The sangria keeps for up to 2 days in the refrigerator, though the fruit softens as it sits. To make it last the full 2 days, strain out the fruit after the first 24 hours and keep the liquid in a sealed jar or pitcher.
Do not freeze the finished sangria, because the fruit turns mushy once thawed. If you want a frozen touch, freeze a few extra grapes and drop them into glasses instead of ice.
Serving White Wine Sangria at a Party
Serve white wine sangria over ice in stemless wine glasses or short tumblers, with a spoonful of the soaked fruit in each glass. The recipe makes eight servings of about 5 ounces each, so you can double it for a bigger crowd and mix it in a drink dispenser with a spigot.
It pairs well with salty, savory snacks. Think manchego cheese, marcona almonds, olives, garlic shrimp, and a simple charcuterie board.
For a backyard gathering, set out a bucket of ice and a small bowl of extra sliced citrus so guests can top up their own glasses. A glass of water alongside each drink never hurts.
Where White Wine Sangria Comes From
Sangria is a Spanish and Portuguese tradition, and the name comes from the Spanish word for blood, a nod to the deep red of the original red wine version. White wine sangria is often called sangria blanca in Spain and is just as common at summer tables.
Sangria became widely known in the United States after the 1964 New York World’s Fair, where it was served at the Spanish pavilion. Today it is a party staple because it feeds a crowd, uses simple ingredients, and gets better as it chills.
Ready to mix a pitcher? Use the recipe card below for the exact amounts and steps.
White Wine Sangria
A crisp, fruity white wine sangria with peaches, green apple, citrus, and grapes, finished with a splash of sparkling water. Mix it once, chill it, and serve it over ice to a crowd.
Ingredients
- 1 bottle (750 ml) dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio
- 1/2 cup brandy
- 1/4 cup orange liqueur, such as Cointreau or triple sec
- 1/4 cup simple syrup (made with equal parts sugar and hot water, cooled)
- 2 ripe peaches, sliced
- 1 green apple, diced
- 1 lemon, sliced into thin rounds
- 1 orange, sliced into thin rounds
- 1 cup green grapes, halved
- 1 cup chilled sparkling water or club soda
- Ice, for serving
Instructions
- Wash the fruit. Add the peaches, apple, lemon, orange, and grapes to a pitcher that holds at least 2 quarts.
- Pour in the brandy, orange liqueur, and simple syrup. Stir gently for about 30 seconds.
- Pour in the white wine and stir once more.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally 4 hours, and up to 24 hours.
- Just before serving, stir in the chilled sparkling water.
- Fill glasses with ice, pour in the sangria, and spoon some fruit into each glass.
Notes
Use a dry, unoaked white wine. Make the simple syrup by stirring equal parts sugar and hot water until dissolved, then cool it before measuring 1/4 cup. Best within 24 hours of mixing; covered in the refrigerator it keeps up to 2 days, but the fruit softens, so strain out the fruit after the first 24 hours to keep it the full 2 days. Add the sparkling water only to the portion you are serving. Do not freeze the finished sangria. Frozen peach slices can replace fresh peaches. Peach schnapps or extra orange liqueur can replace the brandy. Nutrition is an estimate and does not account for ice.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1 glass (about 5 ounces)Amount Per Serving: Calories: 160Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gSodium: 8mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 1gSugar: 11gProtein: 0g
White Wine Sangria Questions Answered
Can you make white wine sangria the night before?
Yes, and it often tastes better that way. Mix everything except the sparkling water, refrigerate it overnight, and stir in the sparkling water just before serving.
How long does white wine sangria need to chill?
Chill it for at least 2 hours so the flavors can blend, and aim for 4 hours if you can. It stays good in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before the fruit starts to soften too much.
What can you use instead of brandy?
Peach schnapps or an extra splash of orange liqueur both work well. If you skip the brandy entirely, the sangria will taste lighter and fruitier, with a little less depth.
Is white wine sangria strong?
The brandy and orange liqueur make it a bit stronger than a plain glass of white wine, although the sparkling water and ice soften it. Pour modest glasses, serve it with food, and offer water alongside.
Can you use frozen fruit?
Yes, frozen peaches are a great choice, especially when fresh peaches are out of season. Add them straight from the freezer, and they will help chill the pitcher.
Why This White Wine Sangria Works
This white wine sangria works because everything is stirred together in one pitcher and left to chill, so the wine, brandy, and orange liqueur have hours to soak into the fruit. The brandy adds warmth and depth, while the orange liqueur ties the citrus and peach flavors together.
Simple syrup dissolves instantly in cold wine, unlike granulated sugar, which can leave a gritty bottom layer. The sweetness is gentle, so the crisp wine still tastes like wine.
Green apple and grapes hold their shape after hours of soaking, which keeps the fruit pleasant to eat from the glass. Stirring in sparkling water at the end gives the pitcher a light fizz that would disappear if it sat for hours.
Make White Wine Sangria Your Go To Pitcher Drink
White wine sangria is one of the easiest ways to serve a crowd, because you mix it once and the fridge does the rest. Grab a bottle of dry white wine, slice up your fruit, and get a pitcher chilling today.
Once you have made it, tweak the fruit to suit the season and pass the recipe along to a friend.
