White Sangria Cocktail Recipe

 

Table of Contents

1. How to Make White Wine Sangria
2. History of White Sangria
3. Ingredients
4. Variations
5. Final Thoughts & Recipe

We’ve probably all had Sangria: Typically served in big pitchers, it’s an excellent party drink and traditional summer cocktail. But what if you just want one glass for yourself?

That’s where today’s single-serve White Sangria comes in. A white wine version of the classic Spanish cocktail, this one’s scaled down for when you’re craving your favorite wine cocktail on your own.

Of course, if you want to share, scaling up is simple— and we’ve got tips below to help you do just that.

How to Make a Made-to-Order Sangria Cocktail

In the above video, Chris walks through how to build this crisp, fruit-forward drink from scratch—right in your shaker tin.

Watch the video to see how we bring bright citrus, rum, and a splash of Sauv Blanc together for a super refreshing cocktail.

 

History

The original red wine cocktail’s roots run deep, originating in medieval Spain (specifically in the Kingdom of León) where locals sipped on a wine-based lemonade made with citrus, sugar, and spices.

While some version swirled about in the Caribbean and colonial America, it had pretty much disappeared in the US by the beginning of the 1900s.

It wasn’t until Spanish restaurants reintroduced it in the U.S. post-World War II—followed by its spotlight moment at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York—that the chilled, fruity wine cocktail we love today officially took hold in American cocktail culture.

Today, Sangria remains a staple of Spanish hospitality, especially in warm-weather months. While it’s more commonly found on tourist menus than at local family tables, it still holds cultural charm and is often served at festivals and summer gatherings.

White Sangria, or Sangría Blanca, is a more modern take that gained traction as white wine styles became more diverse. It’s lighter and often less tannic, making it beautifully suited to delicate fruits and floral modifiers.

 

White Wine Sangria Ingredients

The white wine variation is all about balancing crisp wine with sweet and fruity additions. Here’s what you’ll need for our single-serving version, created to be both easy to make and packed with refreshing citrus flavor:

• White Wine: Choose a dry or semi-dry wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio as the base. We’ve chosen a crisp, dry Sauv for our recipe.
• White Rum: Adds a smooth, slightly sweet backbone to the cocktail that plays well with citrus and fruit. We’re using Plantation 3 Stars for its clean profile and subtle tropical notes—it supports the wine without overpowering it.
• Fruits: A mix of sliced citrus (like oranges and lemons), stone fruits (like peaches and nectarines), and berries adds natural sweetness and color. We’re doing the more traditional apples and orange slices, but I’m a huge fan of berries for this one.
• White Cranberry Juice: Not all recipes even call for juice, but I’ve seen a variety used, from orange juice to pineapple to mango. We’ve decided on white cranberry to add a touch of sweetness without changing the overall flavor profile too much.
• Fresh Lemon Juice: A small splash of lemon brings brightness and balance, cutting through the sweetness from the soda and liqueur. Fresh is always best here—bottled just doesn’t bring the same zing.
• Orange Liqueur: A splash of orange liqueur, like Cointreau, Grand Marnier, or triple sec, boosts the citrusy notes.
• Sprite or Similar Soda: A bubbly top-off is what gives Sangria its effervescent finish and additional sweetness. Don’t want the extra sugar? See below for other options.

 

Variations

Sangria is the original “use what you’ve got” drink, which means it thrives on variation. Once you get the proportions down, it’s easy to experiment with flavors to match your event, season, mood, or preferences.

• Swap the spirit: Try Pisco, gin, brandy, apple brandy, or even a dry sherry for different backbones.
• Change the base: A dry rosé or Albariño brings new fruit characteristics. I’ve seen it with sparkling wine, too, in case you want your drink extra bubbly.
• Seasonal swaps: One of the best things about this drink is the versatility of fresh fruit you can use… Berries in spring, stone fruit in summer, or pears and spice in fall– Or just use your favorite fruits all year long. (Personally, I prefer the berry version because of the way they soak up the alcohol.)
• Millions of Peaches: One of the most loved versions of this drink uses a super popular summer fruit– peaches. You can simply add peaches (this is especially great with ginger ale– see below), use a splash of peach juice, or swap in peach brandy for the rum.
• Carbonated water: Looking to skip the soda? Try replacing Sprite with club soda/bubbly water instead. You may want to add a splash of simple syrup (1:1 granulated sugar and water). We’ve also seen the recipe with ginger ale instead, but just be aware that that will change the flavor profile.

 

Batching Sangria: Giant Pitcher/Punch Bowl Version for Parties

We already have a batched red Sangria recipe on the blog, which you can use to scale up this one in terms of proportions. But essentially, you can multiply the recipe by servings you need– and don’t forget to dilute with ice.

Add everything into a bowl or glass pitcher, stirring with ice. Chris also has some tips for you in the video, so make sure to watch that before batching yours.

 

The Sangria Strategy

This delicious drink might be synonymous with big gatherings, but it doesn’t have to be batched to be enjoyed. And when you’re ready to scale it up for a group? You’re already halfway there.

Want to dive deeper into batching confidently and consistently? Our Batching Cocktails Workshop is the go-to resource for taking drinks like this from one glass to one gallon—without sacrificing flavor, balance, or fun.

If you love hosting, definitely check out the course. And in the meantime, get our recipe below, and enjoy!