Is there anything more delightful than a chilled beverage on the deck during sweltering summer days? While visiting a friend’s place in Missouri, we decided to craft the ultimate outdoor refreshment. Our journey began at the local grocery store, where we carefully selected premium ingredients: succulent strawberries, zesty lemons, fresh basil sprigs, berry lemonade, and a crisp white wine. By incorporating a splash of vodka from the home collection, we created our ideal warm-weather sangria.
This beverage becomes the perfect companion for outdoor gatherings and will undoubtedly impress your guests. When hosting larger groups, consider scaling up the recipe proportionally.
Choosing the Perfect White Wine Base
Your white wine selection will make or break your sangria experience. Seek out dry, crisp varieties that deliver refreshment without breaking the bank. The goal is striking a balance: something enjoyable enough to sip alone, yet reasonably priced for mixing.
Pinot Grigio stands out as an exceptional choice for this creation. During our shopping trip, we selected a beloved bottle from Trader Joe’s. It’s essential to avoid sweet wines, as the fresh fruit and lemonade will contribute natural sweetness.
Essential Guidelines for Sangria Success:
Choose dry varieties: Steer clear of options like Moscato. Fresh fruits and natural juices will provide all the sweetness you need.
Find the price sweet spot: You don’t need to splurge excessively, but don’t go too budget-friendly either. Select something you’d enjoy on its own.
Opt for subtle flavors: Avoid bold, oaky wines like Chardonnay. Pinot Grigio offers the ideal neutral foundation.
Preparation Method
The assembly process is remarkably straightforward. Begin by slicing strawberries into rounds and cutting lemons into wedges. Place these fresh fruits in a large pitcher alongside aromatic basil leaves. Add the vodka first, followed by the berry lemonade, and finish with the white wine. Gently combine all ingredients and chill until ready to serve.
This recipe’s simplicity is its greatest strength. For an elevated presentation, consider topping each glass with a splash of sparkling berry lemonade, which adds effervescence and amplifies the signature strawberry-lemon profile.
Strawberry Lemonade Sangria
- Total Time: 31 minute
- Yield: 4 people
Description
Delicious, refreshing strawberry lemonade sangria. It tastes like summer in a cup. A strawberry syrup paired with lemonade, rosé wine and fresh fruit, make for the most perfect sangria for summer.
Ingredients
Strawberry Lemonade:
- 1/2 pound strawberries , diced
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- Pinch kosher salt
- 1 1/2 cup lemonade
- 750 milliliters dry rosé, chilled
- 1/4 cup white rum
Garnish:
5-6 strawberries, thinly sliced
2 lemons, thinly sliced into rounds
Ice
Sparkling water, to top if desired
Instructions
- To a saucepan add the strawberries and toss with sugar and a pinch of salt. Set the pan over medium heat and cook for 10 minutes, stirring often. The strawberries will start to thicken into a sauce and be very fragrant. Let the mixture cool to room temperature.
- Transfer the mixture to a blender, add the lemonade and blend on medium speed until smooth. Add the rosé and rum and blend on low speed for 10 seconds
- Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a large pitcher.
- Add the strawberry slices and lemon slices. Stick the pitcher in the fridge and chill for about one hour or so. Pour into glasses filled with ice, making sure you get slices of strawberry and lemon in each glass. Top with sparkling water, if desired.
Notes
TIPS AND TRICKS
This is the perfect drink to make ahead. This drink is good for up to two days when stored in the fridge.
If you want to make this drink non-alcoholic, feel free to use a non-alcoholic wine and skip the rum altogether. It’ll still be delicious.
- Prep Time: 10minutes mins
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Cuisine: Spanish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: servings 1
- Calories: 161kcal
- Sugar: 21g
- Sodium: 18mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 0.4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Protein: 4g
Key Ingredients for Strawberry Lemonade Sangria
Strawberry Lemonade Base:
- 1/2 pound fresh strawberries, diced
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- Pinch of kosher salt
- 1 1/2 cups quality lemonade
- 750 milliliters dry rosé wine, chilled
- 1/4 cup white rum
Add a touch of Italian sunshine with the Amalfi Martini—a zesty blend of limoncello and vodka that’s made for summer soirées and golden hour sipping.
Garnish Elements:
- 5-6 fresh strawberries, thinly sliced
- 2 lemons, thinly sliced into rounds
- Ice cubes
- Sparkling water (optional, for topping)
- Celery stalks (optional garnish)
- Celery salt for rim garnish
The success of this sangria depends heavily on ingredient quality. Choose ripe, fragrant strawberries that yield slightly to pressure – they’ll release more natural juices and sweetness. Select a dry rosé with crisp acidity rather than overly sweet varieties, as it will balance beautifully with the fruit elements. Fresh lemonade works best, though high-quality store-bought versions are acceptable. The white rum adds depth without overwhelming the delicate fruit flavors. Keep all liquid ingredients well-chilled before mixing to ensure the sangria stays refreshingly cold throughout serving.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Strawberry Base Begin by washing and hulling the strawberries, then dice them into small, uniform pieces. Place the diced strawberries in a large pitcher or mixing bowl and sprinkle with granulated sugar and a pinch of kosher salt. Using a muddler or the back of a wooden spoon, gently mash the strawberries to release their natural juices. The salt enhances the strawberry flavor while the sugar helps create a syrupy base. Let this mixture sit for 10 minutes to allow the strawberries to macerate and develop deeper flavors.
Step 2: Combine Liquid Ingredients Add the lemonade to the strawberry mixture and stir thoroughly to dissolve the sugar completely. Pour in the chilled dry rosé wine slowly to preserve its effervescence, followed by the white rum. Stir gently with a long spoon to combine all ingredients without aggressively mixing, which could flatten the wine’s natural bubbles.
Step 3: Add Fresh Garnishes Slice the remaining strawberries into thin, uniform pieces and cut the lemons into rounds, removing any seeds. Add these beautiful garnishes directly to the pitcher, where they’ll continue to infuse flavor while creating visual appeal.
Step 4: Chill and Serve Refrigerate the completed sangria for at least 2 hours, allowing all flavors to meld together beautifully. When ready to serve, fill glasses with ice and pour the sangria, ensuring each glass gets a good mix of fruit pieces. Top with a splash of sparkling water if desired for extra effervescence. For an elegant touch, rim glasses with celery salt and garnish with celery stalks.
Step 5: Final Presentation Serve immediately while cold, stirring the pitcher occasionally to redistribute the fruit pieces evenly among servings.
What to Serve with Strawberry Lemonade Sangria
This refreshing sangria pairs beautifully with light summer fare and Mediterranean-inspired dishes. Serve alongside grilled seafood like shrimp skewers, salmon, or fish tacos that won’t compete with the drink’s delicate fruit flavors. Fresh salads with goat cheese, arugula, and berry vinaigrettes create perfect harmony. Light appetizers such as bruschetta, caprese skewers, or charcuterie boards featuring mild cheeses complement the wine base elegantly. For heartier options, consider grilled chicken with herbs, quinoa salads, or vegetarian dishes like stuffed bell peppers. The sangria’s versatility also makes it an excellent companion to brunch items like quiche, fruit tarts, or eggs Benedict.
Top Tips for Strawberry Lemonade Sangria
Ingredient Substitutions and Variations If strawberries aren’t available, substitute with raspberries, blackberries, or diced peaches for different flavor profiles. White wine can replace rosé for a lighter taste, while red wine creates a richer, more traditional sangria. Vodka or gin can substitute for white rum, each bringing unique characteristics to the final drink.
Timing and Preparation Secrets Make the strawberry base up to 24 hours ahead, allowing extended maceration time for intensified fruit flavors. However, add wine and rum just before serving to maintain optimal taste and effervescence. For stronger fruit flavor, increase maceration time but reduce added sugar accordingly, as longer maceration extracts more natural fruit sweetness.
Common Mistakes to Avoid Never use overripe or mushy strawberries, which create an unpleasant texture and muddy appearance. Avoid over-muddling the fruit, which releases bitter compounds from seeds and creates pulpy consistency. Don’t skip the salt – it’s crucial for enhancing strawberry flavor without making the drink taste salty.
Enhancement Techniques For deeper complexity, add fresh mint leaves during maceration or incorporate a splash of elderflower liqueur. Create flavor layers by using different lemonade varieties – try pink lemonade for color variation or adding fresh lemon juice for extra tartness. Freeze some strawberry slices in ice cube trays to prevent dilution while maintaining flavor as the ice melts.
Serving Optimization Chill all glassware beforehand and serve in wine glasses rather than regular cups to enhance the drinking experience and showcase the beautiful color.
Storing and Reheating Tips
Proper Storage Methods Store leftover sangria in the refrigerator in an airtight pitcher or sealed container for up to 3 days. The fruit will continue to infuse flavor during storage, often making day-two sangria even more flavorful than freshly made. However, the wine’s effervescence will diminish over time, so add fresh sparkling water when serving leftovers.
Maintaining Quality Strain out fruit pieces if storing longer than 2 days to prevent over-maceration and bitter flavors. Store the flavored liquid base separately and add fresh fruit garnishes when serving. The alcohol content helps preserve the mixture, but always smell and taste before serving stored sangria.
Freezing Guidelines While you cannot freeze the complete sangria due to alcohol and carbonation, you can freeze the strawberry-sugar base for up to 3 months. Thaw completely and proceed with the recipe as normal. This technique is perfect for preserving peak-season strawberries for future sangria making.
Serving Stored Sangria When serving previously made sangria, stir gently to redistribute settled fruit pieces and add fresh ice. Consider adding a splash of fresh lemonade or sparkling water to brighten flavors that may have mellowed during storage. Always serve well-chilled for optimal taste experience.
Conclusion
This Strawberry Lemonade Sangria represents the perfect fusion of simplicity and sophistication, delivering restaurant-quality results with minimal effort. The recipe’s forgiving nature makes it ideal for both novice and experienced home bartenders, while its stunning presentation ensures it will be the centerpiece of any gathering. By following these detailed instructions and incorporating the provided tips, you’ll create a memorable drink that captures the essence of summer in every refreshing sip. Whether hosting an elegant dinner party or enjoying a casual afternoon with friends, this sangria promises to elevate any occasion with its beautiful balance of flavors and eye-catching appearance.