Sparkling Citrus Sangria
What I love about sangria is that there are so many ways to make it. Red, white, or my new favorite… sparkling. This sparkling citrus sangria will change the way you spend your Sunday afternoons.
I've always leaned toward red sangria, being a regular red wine drinker. I am often of the Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir palette, only reaching for a glass of white (Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay) on an “I'm feeling lighter” day. Or a hot day, which there are plenty of in Grand Cayman. However, Seware is of a sweeter palette so I wanted to make something that would be a happy medium for us both.
I go through phases when I prefer a glass of champagne (I know, I just got done saying I am a regular red wine drinker – I guess I should just say that I am a wine drinker), so I thought a sparkling citrus sangria could make for a nice bubbly weekend drink.
The icing on this bad boy is the fact that the grapefruit juice is 100% fresh. You may remember that my Cool Gin and Cucumber Cocktail was made with fresh cucumber juice; well, that was so yummy that I had to add the same twist to this drink!
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This recipe calls for 1 cup of fresh squeezed grapefruit juice, which is somewhere between 2 and 3 whole grapefruits, depending on their size and how efficient your juicer is.
If you don't own a juicer, that's 100% OK. You can totally buy regular juice from your grocery store, but I would highly recommend getting fresh rather than something loaded up with preservatives.
You can be as frugal or as generous with the soaked fruits as you'd like. I did 1/2 of each citrus fruit and as you can see, topped the drinks off with raspberries and blueberries, because they're twice as tasty after having soaked in the sangria.
If you are looking for other refreshing drinks, try my Cool Gin and Cucumber Cocktail!
Sparkling Citrus Sangria
Ingredients
1/2 cup Brandy
1 cup fresh grapefruit juice (~2-3 grapefruits)
1 cup Sauvignon Blanc
1 tbsp sugar
1/2 orange, sliced
1/2 lemon, sliced
1/2 lime, sliced
1/2 grapefruit, sliced
1 bottle champagne
Fresh berries, optional
Steps
- Slice orange, grapefruit, lemon and lime into 1/4 inch slices and set aside.
- If making your own grapefruit juice, run 2-3 grapefruits through a home juicer until you reach 1 cup.
- Mix brandy, grapefruit juice, Sauvignon Blanc and sugar in a large pitcher. Add sliced fruits and optional berries and chill in refrigerator for about half hour.
- Top with full bottle of champagne just before serving.
this looks SO good, I will have to try it out this summer!!
Oh my gosh, yes please. This looks so good, I am definitely going to make this the first night of summer!
This looks delicious! I have to try it. Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe. I love Sangrias!
I just love these summer cocktails! Will definitely be making this one. Delicious!
I’m saving this for the wife. She loves sangrias. Thanks lol
I LOVE sangria and this looks soo tasty! I’m absolutely going to have to make this on my next Girls Night!
I’m a white wine drinker so this is right up my alley – Will be good to make this summer
This looks amazing and so refreshing. Will be great for the Texas heat this summer!
I had to pin these photos! Looks so pretty and yum yum yummy!
One of my favorite warm weather cocktails, is a good sangria! This recipe looks amazing, and I will definitely be mixing up a pitcher this weekend. Thanks for sharing!
Anything with champagne is great by me! Love that this recipe is more citrus than berry! Will be trying this
Yummyyyyy ! Now I want to do one right away ;)
Oh wow this looks and sounds just delightful!! I love the use of grapefruit here and how it’s bubbly. This is the perfect summer drink!
Yum! So easy and delicious sangria. Perfect for a summer gathering.
Oh my gosh I looove sangria! And I agree, I usually reach for red. This looks incredible though and I’m going to make this for my 4th of July BBQ. The fresh grapefruit juice is such a nice touch. I wish I had this right now haha (:
Yum! This recipe looks amazing. I’ll definitely be making this one this summer. Thanks!
Yum!! This looks so delicious! I cannot wait to try it.
These look so delicious and refreshing, sangria is amazing for the summer! Need to try this.
xoxo
Gemma | http://www.whatgemmadid.com
Oh yes! Sangria is perfect for summer!
This sounds like it may be a good first day of summer drink.
It’s nice to make sangria with juice and white wine, I must say I’m not a fan of the red wine/fruit juice mix. I might try that!
That looks so good!!! Definitely will be trying this at home!!
Love always,
Zineb
This looks like a great refresing summer drink. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Oh wow, this is just beautiful! I love the fact it’s citrus filled and sparkling too; makes a lovely change from all the “normal” sangria I see (which is tasty too, I just see it more often!). This looks so refreshing!
Looks delish, and S. Florida is hot hot hot all year! I AM a red wine drinker though. May I be so bold as to suggest and share a strawberry basil sangria- it’s my go to (but I do love grapefruit so this weekend I may have competition from this recipe, which I WILL be trying!) I usually mash fresh berries with fresh basil in the bottom of pitcher, add merlot and chill. Before serving, add sparkling water (I like to use a raspberry seltzer) and drop some sliced berries into the chilled sangria.
Yes you MAY be so bold and I’m glad you did! I love any and all drinks that have herbs in them. Your strawberry basil sangria sounds so yummy and easy! Thanks for sharing – will be trying!!
MMMMM This looks delicious on a hot day. Thank you!
Whoa. I need to make this for happy hours on the patio this summer!
Wow what a great summer beverage! Anything with citrus is perfect for summertime. :)
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Sangria is one of my favorite summer time drinks! It just seems so perfect for warm weather. Love the recipe, thanks for sharing. I’ll be saving for future drinks
Looks so yum! Perfect for summer! Thank you for sharing, i’ll definitely try it when it gets a bit more warmer over here.
This sounds so refreshing. The perfect beverage to end (or start, haha) a hot summer day.
Yum, this looks incredible! Honestly, I would totally serve this with brunch with my friends (but maybe take out the brandy so early in the morning). I love a good sangria, so tasty and perfect for summer!
This looks so refreshing! I love sangria, pretty much anything cold, sweet and fruity, yes!!
This sounds wonderful! I love sauv blanc AND sparkling wine, so this has my name all over it!