‘Tis the season to dig out the punch bowl or your favorite vintage pitcher and mix a generous batch of Sparkling White Sangria. Why? This cool, refreshing drink is not only beautiful to gaze upon (colors everywhere!), but it’s a brilliant crowd pleaser on any warm afternoon while relaxing outside. With a bevy of fresh fruit, orange juice, white wine on the sweeter side and a dry sparkling wine chilled to perfection, Sangria offers bright acidity, citrus notes, and a hint of sweet on the palate. And what’s not to love about the bubbles?
This easy to make beverage is a worthy complement to a range of foods from savory to spicy to somewhat sweet. Lest we only consider lady-like finger foods with Sparkling White Sangria, think again. Personally, I love a glass with my favorite spicy tacos or quesadillas, mango curry, savory salads, chili with plenty of heat, creamy crab cakes, grilled shrimp and fresh lobster. Sipped with a dessert of berries sprinkled with a dash of sugar, Sparkling White Sangria comes in for the win!
Find the recipe for Sparkling White Sangria below after which photos and recipe links to my favorite foods for pairing are included. Enjoy!
Sparkling White Sangria
1 orange, thinly sliced
1/2 lemon, thinly sliced
1 cup blueberries
1 cup raspberries
10 large strawberries, sliced
1 cup orange juice
1 750ml bottle sweet white wine (Riesling or a still Moscato, perhaps?)
1 750ml bottle your favorite dry sparkling wine
Place all fruit and orange juice in a large pitcher or bowl, add wine and allow to sit in the refrigerator for 3 – 24 hours. Right before serving, add a dry sparkling wine such as champagne, cava, cremant or Franciacorta.
Taste! If you’d like it to be sweeter, add 1/4 cup granulated sugar, honey, or agave. Serve and enjoy with the following recipes.
Your Favorite Fish Tacos
Frankly, cod is my go-to fish for tacos, but I’ve had fish tacos with grilled salmon, halibut and even walleye when in the Midwest! A worthy fish taco includes toppings such as flavorful corn slaw, cabbage, sour cream, avocado slices, cilantro, mango, diced onions and salsa verde, but it’s important to be creative – use what you like. The recipe HERE is from Delish and it’s a snap to make. Plus, the Sangria plays well with the bevy of spices in the tacos.
Mango Chicken Curry
Just wow! I found this recipe from Archana’s Kitchen and it’s exceptional with sweet and savory notes, texture and plenty of flavor. Have that Sparkling White Sangria at the ready for a delicious counterpoint to the curry. Find the recipe HERE.
Creamy Crab Cakes
Use jumbo or lump crabmeat (fresh, please!) to make these crispy crab cakes that are buttery and ever-so-creamy inside. Serve with homemade tartar sauce and a lemon wedge for a quick dinner or appetizer to complement your chilled glass of Sparkling White Sangria. Delish brings it home again with this terrific recipe HERE.
Six Can Chili
This recipe is about the easiest one to make because all you do is open cans, pour the contents in a large saucepan, add spices and turn up the heat! Once ladled into soup bowls, add crushed taco chips, sour cream, cilantro and/or green onions and enjoy with a glass of Sangria that really beats the heat (literally and figuratively). Allrecipes delivered with this delicious chili recipe HERE.
Cheers! ~ Cindy
Who doesn’t love a glass (or pitcher) of Sangria? During the week of March 17-25 2025, I’ll be hosting a luxurious trip to Spain and I’d love for YOU to come. You can be assured that we’ll enjoy a few glasses of Sangria while traveling. Interested? Follow the link for more information.
Discover Spain: A Grape-Experiences Adventure in Barcelona, Spain (wetravel.com)
