Watermelon sangria has the best sweet flavor! A big pitcher made with this juicy fruit is perfect for summer entertaining.

What’s better for a hot summer afternoon than a cool glass sangria? The music of the ice cubes clinking against the glass is refreshing in itself! Here’s a perfect fruity flavor for summer: watermelon sangria! While this flavor is not a traditional Spanish spin, it’s a deliciously sweet way to enjoy this summer fruit. This recipe made in the style of a traditional sangria: just sweet enough, with white wine, brandy, and of course: lots of watermelon!

Ingredients for watermelon sangria

Sangría is a traditional wine punch that originates from Spain. The classic version is red sangria, made with red wine and chopped fruit, and often orange juice or brandy. Spaniards also drink white sangria, a version made with white wine. This watermelon sangria is a spin on a white sangria that adds watermelon juice for a fruity spin. Here’s what you’ll need for this recipe:

• Fruit: watermelon, green apple, and lime
• Sugar
• White wine
• Brandy or Grand Marnier
• Fresh mint

How to make watermelon sangria (the Spanish way)

This watermelon sangria as a spin on the traditional Spanish way to make white sangria. The method is inspired by our favorite Spanish chef, Jose Andres. Chef Andres is from Spain and started many successful restaurants here in the US. The “Spanish” way to make sangria that Chef Jose recommends is this:

• Macerate fruit for 20 minutes: Mix the sangria fruit with sugar and let it macerate or stand at room temperature and break down. This helps the fruit flavors permeate the wine even more.
• Make the watermelon juice: Make watermelon juice in a blender.
• Add liquids: Add white wine and brandy. Throw in some lime slices and mint.
• Refrigerate for 1 to 4 hours. This allows the flavors to meld and develop.

Make ahead instructions

With this watermelon sangria, we don’t recommend making it more than 4 hours in advance. Why? Well, because the fruit is in the liquid, it starts to become soggy. The flavors also start to fade a bit. So, don’t plan to make this drink too far in advance! You can cut up the fruit and even make the watermelon juice beforehand. But don’t start the actual instructions until you’re no more than 4 hours away from serving time.

Don’t forget to eat the fruit!

Don’t let the fruit go to waste in this watermelon sangria! It’s nice to serve the fruit on skewers, so you can let your guests eat the remaining wine-soaked fruit after the meal. It’s a nice dessert or palate cleanser!

Brandy vs Grand Marnier

Outside of the white wine in watermelon sangria, the other flavor is from brandy or Grand Marnier. Here are a few notes on the two types of liquor:

• Brandy: Use whatever brandy you have on hand. Cognac is a fancy type of brandy if you have that available. You can also use Cognac for a Sidecar or French Connection.
• Grand Marnier is a mix of brandy and orange liqueur: it gives it a little higher end vibe. You can also use it for a Cadillac Margarita.

More watermelon drinks

Love this vibrant pink summer fruit? There are lots of ways to use it. Here are some of top watermelon drinks to try:

• Watermelon Margarita Tangy, sweet, and seriously refreshing. It’s lightly salty for a perfectly balanced flavor.
• Watermelon Mule Why have a Moscow mule or Kentucky mule when you can have a…watermelon mule?
• Watermelon Cocktail with Gin Vibrant and refreshing, with lemon, mint, and gin.
• Watermelon Vodka Cocktail Quick and easy to make, pairing sweet watermelon with tangy lime and vodka.
• Watermelon Smoothie Frosty with frozen strawberries and banana.

This watermelon sangria recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.

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More types of sangria to try

There are so many different types of sangria to try! Here are some of our favorites:

• Rose Sangria Just a handful of ingredients and fruit make a light and fruity summer drink that everyone will be talking about.
• Easy Peach Sangria Another white sangria, with a load of sweet fruit.
• Frozen Sangria This icy version is wine-forward and just sweet enough, with a hint of citrus.
• Apple Cider Sangria A fall-themed spin that pairs sparkling apple cider with red wine, orange and cinnamon.

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