Hard seltzers may have been all the rave these past few summers, but sangria is forever a staple for warmer days. It’s sweet, fruity, colorful, and perfect for every photo op that encompasses a sunshine state of mind.
Plus, the wine-based beverage makes for a great party punch that’s easy to make and can be made in large batches for guests who want the drinks to keep flowing.
With dozens of sangria recipes out on the web, we’ve vetted the Mama Mia Sangria that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Crafted by Kitty Stallings on Grill It! With Bobby Flay, a native Mississippian serving up delectable recipes to help people lose or maintain weight, this sangria is the perfect blend of fizz and citrus.
Mama Mia Sangria
Ingredients
The Liquids
- 1 bottle of red wine of your choosing, chilled (recommended options are Shiraz or Zinfandel)
- 1-liter ginger ale, chilled
The Mix-Ins
- 1 lemon
- 1 lime
- 1 orange
- 1 large orange, juiced
- 1 small can of chopped pineapple in juice, drained
- 1 cup of strawberries, hulled (a.k.a. remove the leafy green top)
Optional: Dash of Sweetness
- 1 tablespoon of sugar, or as needed for taste
Preparation
1. First things first: Rinse all the fresh fruits before using them and slice the lemon, lime, and one of the oranges into wedges. Then, cut up the strawberries and place all the mix-ins to the side.
2. Juice the citrus fruits, including the remaining large orange, and store them in your preferred pitcher.
3. Toss in the wedges and drained pineapples into the pitcher.
4. Add chilled wine and sugar, then stir.
5. Before serving, add the ginger ale and top off with sliced strawberries.
*Note: If you will not be serving the sangria immediately, it is best to chill the sangria overnight. If you’re making it the day of your event and didn’t get a chance to chill the wine or ginger ale, pour the mixture over ice when serving guests.
Make It Virgin
For pregnant mamas out there who need some very much-needed cooling down to combat the intense heat and humidity of summer, you can easily make this Mama Mia Sangria virgin. Simply swap out the red wine for a combination of cranberry juice or red grape juice to recreate the refreshing and vibrant drink, sure to quench your thirst and make you feel included.
If you’re not a fan of the sourness and bitterness of cranberries, opt for apple juice instead to give your sangria a sweeter kick.
Make It Healthier
Ginger Ale Alternative
To help cut down on sugar—and keep your baby from doing somersaults in the womb—replace ginger ale with unflavored sparkling water. Not only does it provide some bubbles to your sangria, but it also makes for a balanced blend. Another option is diet ginger ale, which has zero calories and sugar.
Sugar Alternative
While white granulated sugar has been the name of the game for centuries, there are now healthier alternatives on the market. Opt for a more natural substitute, like monk fruit sweetener (derived from monk fruit native to Southeast Asia, has no calories, and is a lot sweeter than regular sugar). Stevia is another popular option that health advocates have flocked to in recent years, extracted from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana grown in Brazil and Paraguay.
Make It Into a Slushie
Put a twist on your splashy sangria by making it into a slushie—we’re confident it’ll be an even bigger hit at your next cookout. The cooling, palatable frozen sangria hits the spot and makes sitting outside in the sun an enjoyable and comfortable experience.
If you forget to chill your wine and ginger ale overnight, don’t fret, as you’ll still be in good hands. You can easily assemble the frozen concoction, make it within minutes, and be ready to drink in seconds.
Ingredients
The Liquids
- 1 lemon, freshly squeezed
- 1 lime, freshly squeezed
- ¼ cup of orange juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 bottle of red wine of your choosing (recommended options are Shiraz or Zinfandel)
- 1-liter ginger ale
The (Frozen) Mix-Ins
- 1 cup chopped and frozen pineapple
- 1 cup chopped and frozen strawberries
- 1 cup ice cubes, crushed
Optional: Dash of Sweetness
- 1 tablespoon of sugar, or as needed for taste
The Garnishings
- Strawberries, sliced
- Lemons, sliced
- Limes, sliced
Preparation
1. Juice all citrus fruits.
- Combine freshly squeezed juices in a blender with red wine, ginger ale, all frozen fruits, sugar, and ice. Process until smooth.
- Taste and add sugar as needed.
- Add sliced strawberries, limes, and lemons to the rim of your glass and immediately serve. (No overnight marinating needed here!)
Whether you go with the original Mama Mia sangria, virgin alternative, healthy version, or frozen version, your guests (and their taste buds) will remember this for summers and holidays to come. For additional summer mocktails that’ll impress the crowd, check out our summer mocktails round-up here.
