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This white sangria recipe is crisp, fruity, and made the traditional Spanish way. All you need is a handful of ingredients and a pitcher!
Sangria could not be better for summer entertaining, and here’s my favorite variation on the theme: white sangria! White sangria is made with white wine instead of red wine. It makes for a flavor that’s crisp, sweet tart, and herbaceous.
Lots of American sangria recipes load it with sugar or ginger ale, but I prefer it the traditional Spanish way. Here’s how to make white sangria that comes out crisp fruity, and just sweet enough!
Why You’ll Love This White Sangria
This white sangria recipe is lighter than the classic red sangria, so it’s great for summer! I also prefer white wine to red in general (I get less headaches), so this is the one I make most.
It takes just minutes to make and it’s super versatile. It’s perfect for backyard summer dinners, but it also works for holidays like Thanksgiving instead of the heavier Apple Cider Sangria (you can change up the fruit).
Ingredients You’ll Need
Sangría is a traditional wine punch that originates from Spain. The classic red sangria is made with red wine and chopped fruit, and often orange juice or brandy. White sangria is similar but made with white wine. After living in Spain years ago in college, I developed an intense love for sangria in all forms. Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this classic white sangria:
- Peaches (or plums or strawberries): You’ll want ripe summer peaches. If you don’t have them, use sliced plums or strawberries.
- Green apple: This adds a tart flavor.
- Lemon: This carries the citrus flavor; you can also use orange.
- Sugar: This helps to draw out juices from the fruit while it’s macerating.
- Dry white wine: Well chilled; see below for my notes on type!
- Brandy: This adds depth to the flavor. Grand Marnier or orange liqueur (like Cointreau or Triple Sec) works too.
- Fresh mint: Adds a nice herbaceous flavor and beautiful look in the pitcher.
- Sparkling water, for serving (this is optional).
The Best Wine for White Sangria
For this white sangria recipe, you’ll need a bottle of dry white wine. If you can find it, bring in the Spanish vibe with a Spanish white wine! But you can use your favorite variety. Some of the best wines for white sangria are:
- Albariño: This is a Spanish white wine and one of my favorites
- Pinot Grigio: It’s cheap and a neutral dry flavor
- Sauvignon Blanc: Tastes a little more herbal and works well here
- Dry Riesling: A little floral; make sure the bottle says dry (or use sweet for a sweeter sangria)
How to Make White Sangria the Spanish Way
This white wine sangria method is inspired by my favorite Spanish chef, Jose Andres. The “Spanish” way to make sangria that Chef Jose recommends is this:
- Macerate fruit for 20 minutes: Mix the sangria fruit with sugar and let it macerate or stand at room temperature and break down. This helps the fruit flavors permeate the wine even more.
- Add liquids: Add the white wine and brandy. Throw in some lemon slices.
- Refrigerate for 1 to 4 hours. This allows the flavors to meld and develop.
Fruit Variations and Ingredient Swaps
Here are a few more fruits you can add into this sangria, especially if you can’t find great peaches (which is always a problem for me!):
- Strawberries and mint: Sliced strawberries look beautiful here, like in my Strawberry Sangria.
- Plums: Plums or other stone fruit like apricots are a great sub for peaches.
- Oranges and grapefruit: These add more of a citrusy flair.
- Brandy swap: Use an equal amount of Cointreau, Triple Sec, or white rum.
Notes For Serving
Once you’re ready to serve this white sangria, add ice and quite a bit of fruit to the glass. If you’d like, top off the glass with soda water. It’s not required, but it adds a refreshing effervescence. It’s traditional to do this in Spain, too. (Just don’t add Sprite or ginger ale. It spoils the flavor!)
Lastly: don’t let the fruit go to waste! When you serve sangria, it’s easiest to serve it with skewers. Let your guests snack on the remaining wine-soaked fruit in their drink using the skewers. It’s a perfect “dessert” or palate refresher after a meal!
Storage and Make-Ahead Notes
For this white sangria, refrigerate with the wine and fruit for up to 4 hours in advance. But we don’t recommend storing for any longer than that. Why? After 4 hours the fruit can break down and start to become soggy. The flavor also starts to become more dull than bright. So for this recipe, you’ll want to make it day of.
Foods To Pair With White Sangria
What foods go with white sangria? Pretty much anything. While sangria is Spanish, you don’t have to go with Spanish cuisine. Almost any summertime meal works. Here are some ideas:
- Grilled dinner ideas like grilled salmon, grilled shrimp, or grilled portobello burger
- Summer salads like corn salad or grilled corn salad, cucumber salad, watermelon salad, bean salad, or broccoli slaw
- Grilled veggies like grilled corn, grilled potatoes or grilled eggplant
Dietary Notes
This white sangria recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.
Classic White Sangria
This white sangria recipe is crisp, fruity, and made the traditional Spanish way. All you need is a handful of ingredients and a pitcher!
- Prep Time: 90 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Chilled
- Cuisine: Spanish
- Diet: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 ripe peaches (or sliced plums or strawberries)
- 1 green apple
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 bottle dry white wine, chilled
- ⅓ cup brandy or Grand Marnier
- 1 handful mint leaves
- 1/2 lemon, sliced into rounds
- Sparkling water, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Chop the peaches and apple into bite-sized pieces and add them to the bottom of a large pitcher. Sprinkle them with sugar and stir. Let them stand for 20 minutes at room temperature.
- After 20 minutes, pour in the white wine and brandy. Add the fresh mint and thinly sliced lemon rounds. Stir and refrigerate for 1 to 4 hours. (Don’t go beyond 4 hours or the fruit texture starts to degrade.)
- Pour the white sangria into ice-filled glasses and top with a splash of sparkling water (if desired). Add fruit to each glass, preferably on long skewers for easy snacking.
I loved your rose wine sangria. My friends did also!! It was so easy to make.