Sweet, bubbly, and filled with fresh fruit, this Sparkling Sangria is one of my favorite drinks to make for summer gatherings.
During our trip to Barcelona, sangria quickly became one of my favorite things to order. Every restaurant seemed to have its own version, usually made with fresh fruit and served ice cold on warm afternoons. It was simple, refreshing, and the perfect drink to share while taking a break from exploring the city.
When I got home, I wanted to recreate those memories with a version I could easily make for family and friends. This Sparkling Sangria starts with fresh fruit, orange juice, Spanish brandy, and orange liqueur before being topped with chilled cava just before serving. The bubbles make it feel extra festive while the fruit keeps every glass bright and refreshing.
This was inspired by my Simple Sangria on this site.
Jump to:
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to make with simple ingredients.
- Fresh fruit gives every glass bright, juicy flavor.
- Cava adds light, crisp bubbles.
- Most of the prep can be done ahead of time.
- Perfect for summer parties, brunch, holidays, or backyard cookouts.
Ingredients Overview
Cava
Cava is a sparkling wine from Spain that gives this sangria its crisp bubbles. Since this recipe was inspired by our trip to Barcelona, cava felt like the natural choice. It's usually more affordable than Champagne and has a dry flavor that balances the sweetness of the fruit beautifully.
Orange Juice
Fresh orange juice adds bright citrus flavor and ties all of the fruit together.
Orange Liqueur
Cointreau or Triple Sec both work well and add another layer of fresh orange flavor.
Spanish Brandy
Spanish brandy gives the sangria a little richness without overpowering the fresh fruit.
Simple Syrup
Start with the amount listed in the recipe, then adjust the sweetness to your taste before serving.
Fresh Fruit
- Orange
- Lime
- Peaches
- Apple
- Strawberries
As the fruit sits, it slowly infuses the sangria with fresh flavor while making every glass colorful and delicious.
How to Make Sparkling Sangria
Step 1
In a large pitcher, stir together the orange juice, orange liqueur, Spanish brandy, and simple syrup until well combined.
Step 2
Add the orange, lime, peaches, apple, and strawberries. Stir gently so the fruit is coated in the liquid.
Step 3
Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour so the fruit has time to flavor the sangria.
Step 4
Just before serving, slowly pour in the chilled cava. Stir gently once or twice, being careful not to stir away the bubbles.
Step 5
Taste and add a little more simple syrup if you'd like a sweeter sangria.
Step 6
Serve immediately over ice, if desired, making sure every glass gets plenty of fruit.
Tips for Success
- Chill the cava before adding it to the pitcher.
- Refrigerate the fruit mixture before serving so the flavors have time to come together.
- Add the cava just before serving to keep the sangria bubbly.
- Stir gently after adding the cava so you don't lose carbonation.
- Taste before serving and adjust the sweetness if needed.
Variations
- Replace the peaches with nectarines.
- Use Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, or another crisp apple.
- Add raspberries or blueberries for even more fresh fruit.
- Garnish each glass with fresh mint.
- Add a little extra simple syrup if you prefer a sweeter sangria.
Storage
Sparkling Sangria is best enjoyed the day it's made.
If you have leftovers, cover the pitcher and refrigerate for up to one day. The fruit will continue to soften, and the cava will lose some of its bubbles, but the sangria will still taste delicious.
FAQ's
Yes. Mix everything except the cava and refrigerate it for up to one day. Add the chilled cava just before serving so it stays bubbly.
Yes. Cava is my first choice because it's traditional in Spain and has a crisp, dry flavor, but another dry sparkling wine like Prosecco can also be used.
Fresh orange juice gives the best flavor, but bottled orange juice works if that's what you have.
Absolutely. Taste the sangria after adding the cava and stir in more simple syrup if you'd like it sweeter.
Definitely! The fruit soaks up all of the flavors from the sangria and is one of the best parts.
Let's Connect
Want more behind-the-scenes peeks, recipe drops, and food photography inspo? Come hang out with me on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook and more. I’d love to connect with you there!
More Drinks You'll Love
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Sparkling Sangria
This Sparkling Sangria is light, fruity, and refreshing with crisp cava, fresh citrus, juicy peaches, strawberries, and apples. It's an easy make-ahead pitcher cocktail that's perfect for summer parties, brunch, holidays, or any time you're entertaining.
Ingredients
- 2 bottles (750 ml each) chilled cava (about 50.7 ounces total)
- 1/2 cup (4 ounces/120 ml) fresh orange juice
- 1/4 cup (2 ounces/60 ml) orange liqueur, such as Cointreau or Triple Sec
- 1/4 cup (2 ounces/60 ml) Spanish brandy
- 1/2 cup simple syrup, or to taste
- 1 large orange, thinly sliced
- 1 lime, thinly sliced
- 2 ripe peaches (about 12 ounces/340g), sliced
- 1 medium Honeycrisp or Pink Lady apple (about 7 ounces/200g), cored and diced
- 1 cup (5 ounces/140g) sliced fresh strawberries
- Ice, for serving
Instructions
- In a large pitcher or beverage dispenser, stir together the orange juice, orange liqueur, Spanish brandy, and 1/2 cup simple syrup until well combined.
- Add the sliced orange, lime, peaches, apple, and strawberries. Stir gently to coat the fruit in the liquid.
- Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour to allow the fruit to infuse the sangria with flavor.
- Just before serving, slowly pour the chilled cava into the pitcher. Stir gently once or twice to combine, taking care not to lose too much carbonation.
- Taste and add additional simple syrup, if desired.
- Serve immediately over ice, if using, making sure each glass gets plenty of fruit. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint, if desired.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 151Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gSodium: 3mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 2gSugar: 19gProtein: 1g
*Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary.*
Leave a Reply