My new obsession is sangria in all its forms, and this frozen version might be my favorite yet. I love both red sangria and sangria blanca, but nothing beats a frozen cocktail when the Texas heat becomes unbearable. This frozen berry sangria combines the rich flavors of traditional sangria with the refreshing texture of a frozen cocktail, and it’s ready in just 10 minutes with your blender.
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If you’re a fan of icy cocktails with bold flavors, our spicy frozen watermelon margarita and mangonada margarita are must-tries for your next party.
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
With just a few quality ingredients, you can create this impressive frozen cocktail that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser at your next gathering.
In the printable recipe below, you can find a complete list of ingredients and measurements.
- Dry Red Wine: Choose a medium-bodied red wine like Tempranillo, Merlot, or Garnacha. While you don’t need an expensive bottle, use a wine you’d actually enjoy drinking on its own. The rule of thumb here is simple—if you wouldn’t drink it by the glass, don’t use it in your sangria. I find wines in the $10-15 range hit the sweet spot for flavor and value.
- Frozen Mixed Berries: You can use a pre-packed bag of mixed berries or create your own with frozen strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. Using frozen berries means you don’t need to add as much ice, which would dilute the flavor.
- Cointreau: This orange liqueur adds depth and a hint of citrus. You can substitute with Grand Marnier, Triple Sec, or any orange liqueur you have.
- Orange Juice: Fresh-squeezed provides the best flavor, but store-bought works well too. For a different citrus profile, you could substitute with blood orange juice.
- Simple Syrup: The berries and orange juice will add sweetness, but we like some simple syrup to help balance all the flavors. If you prefer a less sweet sangria, start with half the amount and adjust to taste.
How to Make Frozen Berry Sangria
Here are the quick, step-by-step instructions with visuals; you can find the full instructions, including the exact ingredients, in the recipe card below.
Pro-tip: Chill your wine and orange juice beforehand for an extra-cold result. If your sangria starts to melt too quickly, return it to the freezer for 15-20 minutes to firm it up before serving.
1. Prepare the Blender: Add the wine, Cointreau, orange juice, frozen mixed berries, lime juice, and simple syrup to a large blender.
2. Blend Until Smooth: Pulse first to break up larger frozen berries, then blend on high until you achieve a smooth, slushy consistency, about 30-60 seconds.
3. Adjust Consistency: Add more wine or orange juice if the mixture is too thick. If it’s too thin, add a handful of ice or more frozen berries and blend again.
4. Serve Immediately: Pour into chilled glasses and garnish with fresh berries and orange slices. Serve with straws and spoons for the full frozen cocktail experience.
Make-Ahead and Storage
Make-Ahead: You can pre-measure the liquids and refrigerate them up to 24 hours before blending. Having all ingredients ready will allow you to blend the sangria quickly before serving, ensuring the best texture.
How to Store: Frozen sangria is best enjoyed immediately after blending for optimal texture. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 24 hours. The alcohol will prevent it from freezing solid, but it will firm up. You can also store the mixture in the refrigerator for up to 12 hours, though it will melt into a more liquid state.
Recipe Tips and Notes
- Use frozen berries straight from the freezer. Don’t thaw the berries before blending as they provide the ideal frozen consistency without watering down the drink.
- Chill your glasses. To keep your frozen sangria colder longer, place glasses in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before serving.
- Don’t use expensive wine. The freezing process and addition of fruits and sweeteners will mask the subtle notes of high-end wines.
- Adjust the sweetness to taste. Everyone has different preferences for sweetness. Begin with a smaller amount of simple syrup and add more as needed after the initial taste.
- Blend in batches if needed. If your blender is small, work in batches rather than overfilling, which can prevent proper blending.
Frequently Asked Questions
More Cocktail Recipes to Try
Looking for more refreshing cocktails? Try these other favorites:
- Strawberry Margarita – A refreshing twist on the classic margarita with fresh strawberries, lime juice, and tequila.
- Mangonada Margarita – This spicy, sweet frozen cocktail combines mango, chamoy, and Tajin for a Mexican-inspired treat.
- Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri – A simple blend of rum, strawberries, lime, and sugar for a classic summer favorite.
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Frozen Berry Sangria
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Equipment
- Blender
Ingredients
- 750 ml dry red wine
- ¼ cup Cointreau, or orange liqueur
- ½ cup orange juice
- 16 ounces frozen mixed berries
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- ¼ cup simple syrup
- Ice, optional, to thicken if needed
- Orange slices and fresh berries for garnish
Instructions
- Add wine, Cointreau, orange juice, frozen berries, lime juice, and simple syrup to a blender.
- Blend until smooth and slushy.
- If needed, add a handful of ice and blend again to achieve desired thickness.
- Pour into glasses and garnish each with an orange slice and a few fresh berries.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
