“Simply the Best” Summer Sangria

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This Summer Sangria recipe is made with a variety of seasonal fruits, simple syrup, wine, champagne, and liquor, and is so refreshing. With the combo of sweet fruit, syrup, and booze, it will hit every craving. A summer drink is perfect for enjoying poolside, at a cook-out, or as a way to treat yourself after work. This easy sangria is a must-try for the summer months.

Schitt’s Creek is one of my newfound joys in life. And if I had to describe the show in one word, it would be just that: joy. Every character on Schitt’s Creek undergoes a journey of finding their own joy. It’s one of the only shows that consistently makes me cry happy tears, and never sad tears. While there are serious moments, the show never wallows in sorrow. It is heartfelt without being preachy or undercutting humor.

And how do I find my joy? One of my favorites ways to find my joy is to watch my favorite shows with homemade snacks themed to that show. And while I would never drink Herb Ertlinger’s fruit wine, or put radishes in my sangria, I made this good sangria in an attempt to feel like I was sipping wine right beside David and Moira. And that is why I call it “simply the best.”

But even if you’ve never seen Schitt’s Creek, you can still enjoy this refreshing crowd pleaser drink (and also you should watch Schitt’s Creek, just trust me on this.) And if you want to know where I got the awesome towels featured in these pictures, check out this Etsy shop. I am not affiliated with the shop in any way, I just think they have a great product :).

What do I need to get started?

• A large pitcher. This makes a lot of sangria!
• Lots of fruit: strawberries, kiwi’s, and blueberries. Feel free to throw in any other summer fruits.
• Strawberry Simple Syrup – don’t worry, it’s super easy to make, and I will include the recipe down below.
• Orange Juice. When I say this, I mean juice squeezed from an orange. Bottled orange juice will work in a pinch, but I prefer to use freshly squeezed. If you prefer a more citrusy taste, you can add in some lemon, orange, and lime.
• A bottle of white wine. Your preference is fine, but I prefer a sweeter white wine. Red wine is also fine for this if you prefer a darker red sangria.
• Rum.
• Triple Sec. This is optional, I just added a touch of it to amp up the orange flavor.
• Sparkling wine or champagne. Again, this is up to your preference. I used Barefoot Bubbly for an extra fruity flavor.

How do you make summer sangria from scratch?

This sangria is so refreshing and SO easy. You will want it at every summer party this year.

Take all your prepared fruit and put it in the pitcher. Then add your strawberry simple syrup and orange juice.

Then comes the booze. Add in your rum and triple sec (if using). Give it all a good stir to combine, then add your bottles of wine and champagne. Take a large wooden spoon and stir it all together.

How long should you marinate sangria?

Marinate at least 3-4 hours in the fridge before serving. This gives the flavors enough time to meld together.

Can I make Summer Sangria ahead of time?

Yes, this can be made ahead of time. I recommend making your simple syrup at least a few hours before to give it time to cool off. And then the actual sangria will need time in the fridge for a few hours, and it can also chill overnight. If you do choose to chill overnight, I recommend removing and discarding the fruit after about 4 hours. The fruit will become bitter and mealy if left too long, lending to an unpleasant taste in your sangria after sitting overnight.

When ready to serve, ladle out some of the sangria, and top off with fresh fruit and some extra champagne if you want that fizz!