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    Home » Drinks » Cocktails

    Bourbon Sangria

    Published: Nov 6, 2021 · Modified: Mar 17, 2023 · Leave a Comment

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    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    This bourbon sangria is made with dry red wine, fruit, and just a little juice for an easy pitcher cocktail that’s perfect for fall and winter.

    bourbon sangria in pitcher and glasses.

    I didn’t always like sangria.

    Super-sweet cocktails aren’t my thing, and each time I’d tried sangria, it was SWEET.

    A few years ago, though, a friend ordered a pitcher of sangria for us at Lola’s Pizza in Charleston, West Virginia, and it was fantastic. Their sangria was both refreshing and, you guessed it, not overly sweet.

    It was a revelation.

    Since Lola’s doesn’t publish their sangria secrets, I’ve been playing around with my own versions of it.

    This sangria isn’t a copy-cat. Instead, it’s inspired by Lola’s version, and skips the sugar syrup you’ll often find in sangria.

    I don’t make it to Lola’s as often as I’d like to, so I’ve been recreating my usual order at home: a gorgonzola and fig jam pizza, crème brûlée for dessert and this not-too-sweet bourbon sangria.

    A couple of other versions I’m enjoying these days are cranberry orange sangria and apple sangria.

    Looking for more bourbon cocktails? Our favorites are a blueberry bourbon smash, apple cider Kentucky Sunrise, and Kentucky bourbon coffee.

    What Kind of Wine Should I Use in Bourbon Sangria?

    Bourbon has a pretty distinctive flavor, and it doesn’t play well with all wines.

    That said, it’s pretty common to see a cabernet sauvignon aged in a bourbon barrel. The flavors go perfectly together.

    The wine doesn’t need to be pricey, but it should be a wine that you enjoy drinking on its own.

    Can I Use White Wine Instead?

    We haven’t tested this sangria with a white wine, but if you prefer white to red wine, I’d go with a chardonnay.

    I’d pick chardonnay for the exact same reason I initially chose a cab– it’s the white wine most commonly aged in bourbon barrels.

    Can I Skip the Chill Time?

    This sangria should chill for at least four hours for the best flavor.

    If you’re in a rush, you could try tasting it earlier to see if the fruit has infused its sweet flavors into the wine yet, but if possible, make this ahead of time.

    Can I Use Hard or Sparkling Apple Cider?

    This cocktail uses either non-alcoholic apple cider (aka unfiltered apple juice) or orange juice.

    If you want to use a hard or sparkling apple cider, that will work just fine, but add it just before serving.

    If you add anything bubbly before chilling, it will go flat before you drink it. And that would be sad.

    How to Make Bourbon Sangria

    Add fruit (a combination of apples or pears plus oranges) to a pitcher.

    Pour the bourbon and cider (or orange juice) over the fruit.

    Pitcher with Fruit, Whisky + Juice.
    Add the Fruit, Bourbon + Juice to a Pitcher

    Next, open a bottle of dry red wine. I like to use a vertical lever corkscrew to open my wine bottles, because I always struggle with a classic corkscrew.

    Pour your wine into the pitcher and stir.

    Sangria Pitcher with Fruit + Wine.
    Add the Wine to the Pitcher

    Cover the pitcher, and let it chill for at least four hours in the refrigerator.

    Taste and, if desired, add a little more juice to sweeten the sangria to your preference.

    Serve this sangria chilled, and enjoy!

    bourbon sangria in pitcher and glasses.
    Chill Before Serving
    bourbon sangria in pitcher and glasses.
    Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    5 from 2 votes

    Bourbon Sangria

    This bourbon sangria is made with dry red wine, fruit, and just a little juice for an easy pitcher cocktail that's perfect for fall and winter.
    Author: Sarah Trenalone
    Prep Time5 mins
    Minimum Chill Time:4 hrs
    Total Time4 hrs 5 mins
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: American, Spanish
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 234kcal
    Freezer Friendly?
    No
    Will It Keep?
    3-4 Days (Fridge)
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 1 apple or pear, roughly chopped
    • 1 orange, peeled + sliced Or 2-3 mandarin oranges (peeled + sliced or segmented)
    • 2 ounces bourbon Or use another unflavored whiskey
    • 2 ounces apple cider (non-alcoholic) or orange juice Use more for a sweeter sangria
    • 750 milliliter bottle cabernet sauvignon Or use another dry red wine

    Instructions

    • Add fruit to a large pitcher. Add the bourbon and cider (or orange juice).
      Pitcher with Fruit, Bourbon + Juice.
    • Pour the wine into the pitcher and stir.
      Cover the pitcher and chill for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
      bourbon sangria in a pitcher.
    • Taste the sangria. If desired, add more juice for a sweeter sangria.
      Serve chilled.
      bourbon sangria in pitcher and glasses.

    Notes

    This recipe is easily halved (for a smaller group) or doubled (for a larger group).
    To swap the juice for sparkling cider or hard cider, wait until just before serving to add the cider. 
    Fruit variations: 
    • Use all oranges, all apples or all pears
    • Use plums, pomegranate seeds or persimmons

    Nutrition

    Calories: 234kcal (12%) | Carbohydrates: 17g (6%) | Protein: 1g (2%) | Fat: 1g (2%) | Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 123mg (4%) | Fiber: 2g (8%) | Sugar: 9g (10%) | Vitamin A: 98IU (2%) | Vitamin C: 20mg (24%) | Calcium: 17mg (2%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!
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    About Sarah Trenalone

    Sarah is the primary creator at Champagne Tastes. She's a photographer, food writer and traveler, and is certified in Backcountry Kitchen and Backcountry Navigation from the Colorado Outward Bound School and Identifying Wild Plants from Backpacker.

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    Hi, I'm Sarah! I'm a traveler who loves to eat.   Follow along to join me on my next adventure-- in food or on the road.

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