Summer Berry Sangria

This Summer Berry Sangria is one of those pitcher cocktails that always gets people asking for the recipe. Sweet Moscato, strawberry nectar, and fresh summer berries come together for an easy make-ahead drink that’s perfect for BBQs, pool days, and girls’ nights. The hardest part is waiting overnight while everything chills, but that’s exactly what gives the berries time to infuse the wine with their fresh, fruity flavor.

I love pitcher cocktails because everyone can pour themselves a drink when they need it. No one is stuck behind the bar all night! This easy sangria recipe is also GORGEOUS and makes for a beautiful centerpiece on your table. Definitely use a clear glass pitcher so all those colorful berries can steal the show.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Once you make this fruity sangria, you’ll see why it’s always a hit at summer get-togethers.

• Made ahead = less party prep. Mix everything the night before, and your signature cocktail is ready to pour.
• Easy to customize. Swap in your favorite berries or finish each glass with sparkling water or lemon-lime soda for a little fizz.
• Serves a crowd. One pitcher is perfect for cookouts, backyard BBQs, and summer celebrations.
• The berries don’t go to waste. Spoon some into each glass. They’re delicious after soaking up all that fruity flavor.
• Looks as good as it tastes. A clear pitcher, colorful berries, and frozen raspberries make this cocktail feel party-ready with almost no extra effort.

Ingredients

• A sweet white wine – I prefer Moscato
• Silver tequila
• Strawberry Nectar – basically like fruit juice
• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Raspberries
• Lemon-lime soda – optional but worth it!

Variations

This easy summer sangria is simple to customize with whatever you have on hand. Here are a few easy ways to make it your own!

Try a Different Wine. Moscato is my favorite because it’s sweet and fruity, and it pairs perfectly with berries. If you don’t have a bottle on hand, Riesling is another great option with a similar flavor. Prefer your sangria a little less sweet? Pinot Grigio is a great choice. Once the sangria has chilled overnight, give it a taste. If you want it sweeter, stir in a little simple syrup. Honestly, though, I think the Moscato and strawberry nectar make it plenty sweet as written.

Mix Up the Fruit. Use your favorite summer berries or whatever looks best at the store. Blackberries are an easy swap for raspberries, and marionberries are delicious if you can find them. You really can’t go wrong with fresh, ripe fruit.

Add a Little Fizz. I love adding a splash of lemon-lime soda just before serving for a little sparkle. If you don’t want the extra sweetness, sparkling water works just as well. Just wait to add it until you pour the sangria into glasses so the bubbles stay nice and fizzy.

How to Make Summer Berry Sangria

1. Start by combining the Moscato, tequila, and strawberry nectar in a large pitcher. Give everything a good stir before adding the fresh strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries.
2. Now comes the hardest part – waiting! Cover the pitcher and refrigerate the sangria for at least 8 hours, but overnight is even better. The longer it chills, the more time the berries have to infuse the wine with sweet, fruity flavor.
3. While the sangria is chilling, freeze a handful of extra raspberries if you’d like to use them instead of ice cubes when serving. It’s an easy way to keep every glass cold without watering down your drink.
4. When you’re ready to serve, spoon some of the berries into each glass along with the sangria. If you like a little sparkle, finish each glass with a splash of lemon-lime soda or sparkling water just before serving so the bubbles stay nice and fizzy.

Tips for the Best Berry Sangria

Make it ahead. Sangria only gets better with time! Let it chill overnight so the berries have time to infuse the wine with their fresh, fruity flavor. If you’re planning for a party, you can even make it up to 24 hours ahead for even better flavor.

Freeze extra raspberries. Freeze a handful of raspberries while the sangria chills overnight and use them instead of ice cubes when serving. They’ll keep your drink cold without watering it down and add a fun, festive touch. If you forget this step, don’t worry – the sangria will still stay nice and cold as long as you keep the pitcher refrigerated between refills.

FAQ

Where can I find strawberry nectar?

Look for strawberry nectar in the Latin or international foods aisle of your grocery store. If you can’t find it, you can substitute about 1/4 cup of strawberry purée instead. Just strain out the seeds first so your sangria stays smooth.

What size bottle of wine should I use?

This recipe calls for a 1.5-liter bottle of Moscato. If you can’t find one, simply use two 750mL bottles instead. They’re the same amount, so you won’t need to adjust anything else.

More Sangria Recipes to Try

If this berry sangria is a hit, don’t stop there! Here are a few more of our favorite pitcher cocktails for summer.

• Simple Red Sangria – A classic recipe that’s always a crowd-pleaser.
• Peach Lemonade Sangria – Bright, fruity, and made for warm summer days.
• Watermelon Sangria – Fresh watermelon gives this easy sangria a fun twist.