Super Bowl Sangria: A Colorful Game Day Drink

What if the perfect party cocktail could be prepared the morning of your event, serve dozens of guests from a single pitcher, and taste better with every passing hour? The super bowl sangria delivers exactly that—a cold drink combining red wine, brandy, and fresh fruits into a festive pitcher cocktail that elevates any game day celebration. This crowd-pleasing beverage emerged from traditional Spanish sangria adapted for American sports culture, where hosts needed impressive drinks that scaled easily. The super bowl sangria has become essential at football parties, offering a sophisticated alternative to beer while providing the convenience busy hosts crave.

Ingredients List

For this super bowl sangria you’ll need:

• 1 bottle red wine
• ½ cup brandy
• ¼ cup orange liqueur
• ¼ cup simple syrup or honey
• 1 cup orange juice
• ½ cup pomegranate juice
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 apple, sliced
• 1 cup fresh strawberries, halved
• ½ cup pomegranate arils
• 1 cup club soda or sparkling water
• Fresh mint for garnish
• Ice cubes for serving
• Optional: ¼ cup blue curaçao for team color variations

Timing

This super bowl sangria requires:

• Preparation time: 15 minutes
• Chilling time: 2-4 hours
• Total time: 2 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Choose Your Wine Base

Select a medium-bodied red wine like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Spanish Tempranillo for your base. The wine doesn’t need to be expensive—avoid premium bottles as the flavors blend with other ingredients. Pour the entire bottle into a large glass pitcher or beverage dispenser. The wine provides the foundation that all other flavors build upon in your super bowl sangria.

Step 2: Add the Spirits

Pour brandy and orange liqueur into the wine, stirring gently to combine. These spirits add depth and complexity while increasing alcohol content slightly. The brandy provides warmth and richness, while orange liqueur bridges wine and citrus flavors. If you prefer lighter sangria, reduce brandy to ¼ cup or omit entirely for wine-only version.

Step 3: Sweeten and Add Juices

Stir in simple syrup or honey, mixing until completely dissolved—honey takes longer to incorporate but adds richer flavor than simple syrup. Add orange juice and pomegranate juice, which provide fruity sweetness and vibrant color. The pomegranate juice creates the deep red hue perfect for game day while contributing antioxidants and tart balance to your super bowl sangria.

Step 4: Prepare and Add Fruits

Wash all fruits thoroughly. Slice orange and apple into thin rounds, removing any seeds. Halve strawberries and add pomegranate arils. Place all prepared fruits into the sangria mixture, gently pressing them down with a wooden spoon to help release juices. The fruit adds visual appeal, flavor complexity, and makes the sangria Instagram-worthy while providing boozy fruit snacks for guests.

Step 5: Chill and Infuse

Cover the pitcher tightly and refrigerate for minimum 2 hours, though 4-8 hours or overnight produces the most developed flavors. During chilling, fruits macerate in the wine, releasing natural sugars and creating harmonious flavor integration. Stir occasionally if convenient, though not strictly necessary. The longer it sits, the more the flavors meld into complex, delicious sangria.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Just before serving, add club soda or sparkling water for effervescence and lightness. Stir gently to incorporate without losing all carbonation. Fill glasses with ice, then ladle sangria into each glass, ensuring everyone gets fruit pieces. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs for aromatic appeal. Keep the pitcher chilled throughout your party for optimal refreshment.

Nutritional Information

For a serving of this super bowl sangria (serves 8-10):

• Calories: 165
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Sugars: 14g
• Protein: 1g
• Fat: 0g
• Sodium: 8mg
• Fiber: 1g
• Alcohol content: Approximately 15g
• Vitamin C: 25mg
• Antioxidants: from red wine and pomegranate

Healthier Alternatives for the Recipe

Transform your super bowl sangria into a healthier version with these modifications:

• Reduce added sugars: Use half the simple syrup and rely on natural fruit sweetness for lower calorie version
• Replace orange juice with fresh-squeezed for more nutrients and no added sugars
• Use sparkling water instead of juice for majority of liquid to reduce overall sugar content
• Add fresh ginger slices for anti-inflammatory properties and spicy kick without calories
• Include cucumber slices and fresh basil for spa-water inspired lightness
• Choose organic, low-sulfite wine to avoid additives and potential headaches
• Replace brandy with additional fruit juice for lower alcohol content
• Add green tea for antioxidant boost without altering flavor significantly

Serving Suggestions

Elevate your super bowl sangria experience with these ideas:

• Serve in large glass beverage dispenser with spigot for easy self-service throughout party
• Rim glasses with team-colored sugar for festive, themed presentation
• Create ice ring by freezing juice with fruit slices in bundt pan to keep sangria cold longer
• Provide football-shaped stirrers or team-colored straws for fun, spirited serving
• Serve in mason jars with handles for portable, spill-resistant game day drinking
• Pair with Spanish-inspired appetizers like cheese boards, olives, and tapas
• Set up sangria station with various fruit garnishes so guests can customize servings
• Present in clear pitcher to showcase beautiful color and fruit throughout the beverage

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Master this super bowl sangria by avoiding these pitfalls:

• Using expensive wine: Premium wine is wasted in sangria as flavors blend with other ingredients—choose good mid-range bottles
• Adding carbonation too early: Club soda goes flat quickly—always add sparkling components just before serving
• Not chilling long enough: Serving immediately produces harsh alcohol taste without fruit infusion—minimum 2 hours chilling essential
• Overcrowding with fruit: Too much fruit absorbs excessive wine, leaving inadequate liquid—balance fruit with liquid properly
• Using underripe fruit: Hard, flavorless fruit contributes nothing—choose ripe, fragrant fruits for maximum flavor
• Serving too warm: Room temperature sangria lacks refreshment factor—always serve cold with ice
• Forgetting to stir before serving: Ingredients separate during sitting—always mix well before ladling into glasses

Storing Tips for the Recipe

Preserve the freshness of your super bowl sangria with these strategies:

• Refrigerator storage: Keep covered in refrigerator for up to 3 days, though flavors peak within first 24 hours
• Fruit separation: After 2 days, remove fruit pieces to prevent them from becoming mushy and clouding liquid
• Pre-batch base: Mix wine, spirits, juices, and fruits up to 1 day ahead, adding club soda only when serving
• Leftover management: Strain leftover sangria and store liquid separately from fruits for cleaner storage
• Individual portions: Pour into mason jars with fruit for grab-and-go servings at tailgate parties
• Carbonation refresh: If sangria sits long, add fresh club soda to restore effervescence
• Avoid freezing: Freezing separates ingredients and affects texture—sangria is meant to be enjoyed fresh

Conclusion

This super bowl sangria combines red wine, brandy, and fresh fruits into a festive party cocktail. The make-ahead convenience and impressive presentation make it perfect for game day entertaining. With customizable ingredients and crowd-pleasing flavors, you’ll serve this colorful beverage repeatedly throughout football season.

Ready to score with your guests? Try this super bowl sangria recipe and share your creative variations in the review section below. Leave a comment on our blog with your favorite fruit combinations or team color adaptations. Check out our other game day cocktail recipes for more party beverage inspiration!

FAQs

Can I make super bowl sangria without alcohol? Yes! Replace wine with grape juice or cranberry juice, omit spirits, and increase fruit juices. Add sparkling water for mocktail version that maintains festive appearance.

What’s the best red wine for super bowl sangria? Medium-bodied wines like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Spanish Tempranillo work best. Avoid very tannic or expensive wines as flavors blend with other ingredients.

How far in advance should I make super bowl sangria? Make 4-8 hours or the night before for best flavor development. Add sparkling water just before serving. Sangria actually improves with time as fruits macerate.

Can I use white wine instead of red? Absolutely! White wine creates lighter, crisper sangria. Use white grape juice and lighter fruits like peaches, green grapes, and citrus for white wine version.

How do I make team-colored super bowl sangria? Add blue curaçao for blue teams, use white wine with blue and red fruits for patriotic colors, or add natural food coloring to match team colors.

Why is my super bowl sangria too strong? Reduce brandy, add more juice or club soda, or let sit with fruits longer to mellow. Sangria should be fruity and balanced, not overly alcoholic.

How much sangria should I make per person? Plan for 2-3 glasses per person for a 3-hour party. This recipe serves 8-10 people. Double or triple the recipe for larger gatherings using multiple pitchers.