What this tool does
Sangría as tourists know it — sweet red wine + lemon soda + slices of orange + apple — is the version sold at beach bars and bachelor parties. The "real" Spanish sangría is much more fruit-forward, much less sweet, and uses decent wine (not the €3 bottle). White sangría uses white wine, peaches and apples, is drunk in summer. Cava sangría replaces wine with sparkling and is reserved for celebrations.
This calculator outputs both the right quantities (so you don't end up with 30 litres of fruit salad in 1 litre of wine) and a budget based on actual Spanish supermarket prices in 2026.
The proper Spanish sangría ratio
- Classic red: 1 part wine, 1 part fruit (mostly apple + orange + peach), 0.5 parts soda/lemonade (La Casera or similar), 2 spoons sugar, optional 1 spoon brandy. Total fruit weight per litre of wine: 300–400g.
- White: 1 part white wine (verdejo or sauvignon blanc), 0.7 parts fruit (peach, green apple, pear), 0.4 parts soda, no sugar. Add 1 spoon Cointreau or Triple Sec.
- Cava: 2 parts cava, 1 part fruit (berries + peach), 0.5 parts peach nectar. Add before serving so it stays fizzy.
Macération time: 2 hours minimum, ideally overnight. Sugar dissolves better if you soak the fruit in sugar + a splash of wine first.
Frequently asked questions
What's the cheapest decent Spanish wine for sangría?
Don't use anything below €3 — the wine taste comes through. The sweet spot is €3.50–6: Casa Castilla Tempranillo (Mercadona, €3.50), Marqués de Cruzado Rioja (€4.50), or a basic Ribera del Duero (€5–6). Avoid cooking wine — that's different.
Can I use frozen fruit?
Yes for red sangría. Frozen berries + peaches actually work well — they release juice as they thaw and double as ice cubes. For white, stick to fresh for texture.
Where to serve / how to present?
A clay jarra (jug) or a clear glass pitcher. Avoid metal. The fruit should be visible through the glass. Always bring a ladle — sangría separates, the fruit sinks. Don't pre-bottle in plastic.
Limitations
Quantities assume wine consumption. Add ~10% if your group tends to "taste" multiple times before refilling (it happens). Prices are 2026 averages in Spain — outside Spain add 30–100%. The calculator doesn't know your group's actual appetite; use the "festivo" mode if unsure.