How to Make Perfect Summer Sangria (Low Sugar Recipe)

Who doesn’t love a glass of sangria in the summertime?! Fruity, colorful, and with a touch of sweetness (if you use this recipe anyway), it’s the perfect summer drink. The classic version calls for sugar and is on the sweeter side, so I wanted to find a way to make my own that was only slightly sweet without the added sugar.

This trio of sangrias will suit both red and white wine lovers. Pick your favorite and then whip up a batch for your next family staycation, or sip on some while soaking in a nice detox bath!

A Healthier Sangria Recipe (Red, White, or Rosé)

So what makes a sangria? Fruit! Lots of it. Citrus is a must for any sangria recipe. The sweet and sour profile builds a solid base of flavor without adding a ton of sugar. I also love to add savory herbs to complement the sweet kick of the fruit and wine. Simply add your favorite whole herbs right to the sangria to infuse it with its natural flavors.

Skip the Added Sugar

The average sangria has a few different sources of added sugar. First, the fruit is usually soaked in a sugary coating before added to the wine. Next, premade fruit juices and liqueurs are usually added to the mix, which can quickly add up to more sugar.

These sangria creations skip the sugar coating and let the natural sweetness of the fruit shine through. Instead of those sugary premade fruit juices, I use freshly squeezed citrus and a little water. You could even use one of these easy infused water recipes for extra flavor.

If you’re looking to spike the punch, focus on spirits over sugary liqueurs. Try a low-carb alcohol like brandy or vodka. You want to keep the focus on the flavor of the wine, so spike lightly!

How to Choose a Wine

You don’t need to look for the big price tag to select a quality wine. Instead, you want to find an organic, sulfite-free brand with the first flavor profile to help showcase your fresh ingredients.

When you’re using wine for sangria, look for a dry variety. The fruit will add lots of sweetness, so a dry wine will help balance out the flavor. A full-bodied, low-sugar dry wine is going to allows the fruit’s sweet flavors to shine.

I love Dry Farm Wines for my sangria. Their wines are organic, free of sulfites, and low in sugar (one reason I couldn’t justify adding sugar for my sangria!)

Make It a Mocktail

You can still get in on the sangria fun without the alcohol! It’s simple to stay true to the flavors without the wine. I like to swap the wine for a juice and water combination. Then I add about 1 tablespoon of vinegar to mimic the acidity of a wine. Here are my favorite substitutes:

• For red wine: 1 cup cranberry or grape juice + 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar + 1 cup water
• For white or rosé wine: 1 cup grapefruit juice + 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar + 1 cup of water

This post has a whole list of summer mocktail ideas as well, so no one feels left out! You can also try my delicious real food margarita recipe mocktail style.

Now let’s get mixing!

Tip: You can make these sangrias a day in advance. Simply add ice and sparkling water (optional) just before serving.

Basic Sangria Recipe

A delicious, fruity, and lower sugar version of the popular Spanish beverage

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Resting Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Calories 153kcal

Author Katie Wells

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Servings

5 people

1x2x3x

Ingredients

• 1 lemon
• 1 lime
• 1 orange
• ½ cup berries
• 1 bottle dry red or white wine
• 1 cup water (or sparkling water)
• stevia extract (to taste, optional)

Instructions

Directions

• Juice the lemon, lime, and orange into a large pitcher.
• Transfer rinds to a cutting board and slice the lemon, lime, and orange. Transfer to the pitcher.
• Chop the berries and transfer to the pitcher with the sage.
• Add the red wine and water to the pitcher. If you’re using sparkling water, add it just before serving instead.
• Stir and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
• Serve over ice.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Basic Sangria Recipe

Amount Per Serving (8 fl oz)

Calories 153 Calories from Fat 9

% Daily Value*

Fat 1g2%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Sodium 17mg1%

Potassium 496mg14%

Carbohydrates 42g14%

Fiber 10g42%

Sugar 23g26%

Protein 3g6%

Vitamin A 295IU6%

Vitamin C 148.3mg180%

Calcium 103mg10%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Notes

Add 1/4 cup fresh sage leaves for a delicious twist.

Jump below the recipe for white and rosé variations.

White Rosemary Grapefruit Sangria Recipe

This refreshing blend highlights the citrus notes of white wine with fresh grapefruit. Rosemary adds a savory aromatic element.

Ingredients

• 2 lemons
• 1 grapefruit
• 2 sprigs rosemary
• 1 bottle white wine
• 1 cup water (or sparkling water)

Directions

1. Juice the lemons and grapefruit into a large pitcher.
2. Transfer the rinds to a cutting board and slice the lemon and grapefruit. Transfer to the pitcher with the rosemary.
3. Add the white wine and water to pitcher. If you’re using sparkling water, add just before serving instead.
4. Stir and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
5. Serve over ice.

Rosé Basil Lime Sangria Recipe

Naturally sweet rosé wine is perfectly complemented with zesty lime juice and delicate basil.

Ingredients

• 3 limes
• 1/4 cup basil
• 1 bottle rosé
• 2 cups water (or sparkling water)

Directions

1. Juice the limes over a large pitcher.
2. Transfer the rinds to a cutting board and slice the limes. Transfer to the pitcher with basil.
3. Add the rosé and water to pitcher. If you’re using sparkling water, then add just before serving.
4. Stir and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
5. Serve over ice.

Enough talk about sangria… time to invite some friends over!

Ever attempted to made sangria before? What’s your favorite recipe or secret ingredients?