Recipes for the perfect sangría party

A perfectly chilled glass of sangria is our go-to drink for Spring and Summer. It pairs beautifully with patio gatherings, delicious appetizers, and your closest friends. All you need is a few mixers and a good solid wine to put together a consistent glass every time.

Not any wine will do. While you don’t need to spend a lot of money on wine, you should look for unique features that will allow you to create harmony with different mixers. Also, because you want the flavor of the wine to come through, go easy on the ice and soda water. You don’t want your sangria to be watered down. 

This past weekend we experimented with a couple of Chilean wines from Gato Negro. Their Merlot featured aromas of red fruits, berries, cherries and a touch of vanilla and coconut, which made it perfect for our Classic Island Red Sangría. 

Then, we also tried their Sauvignon Blanc featuring tropical fruit flavors of grapefruit, pineapple, and mango. It was a great match for our Passion Fruit White Sangría. Here’s how we put them together. Add a couple of tasty tapas and you’re well on your way to having a great time. 

Classic Island Red Sangría

• 1 Bottle of Gato Negro’s Merlot
• 1/2 Cup of pineapple juice
• 1/2 Cup of orange juice
• 1/2 Cup of grape juice
• ½ Cup of Sparkling Water (We used lime flavored)

Mix all ingredients. (Adjust to taste.) Pour in an empty bottle and chill in the fridge. Serve with ice.

Passion Fruit White Sangría

• 1 Bottle of Gato Negro’s
• 1 Cup of passion fruit juice
• 3/4 Cup of orange juice
• ½ Cup of Sparkling Water (We used lime flavored)

Mix all ingredients. (Adjust to taste.) Pour in an empty bottle and chill in the fridge. Serve with ice.