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White Wine Sangria is the easy, crowd-pleasing pitcher drink that does all the work for you, with crisp chardonnay, a splash of rum, apple cider, and fresh fruit fizzing together into the prettiest glass at the party. I make a big batch *whenever friends come over* because it is impossible to mess up and everyone wants the recipe. If you love an easy pitcher cocktail, this is right up there with our black cherry sangria.
It stirs together in about 10 minutes and just gets better as it chills, so you can make it ahead and enjoy the party.
White Wine Sangria Quick Look
- 🕒 Prep Time: 10 minutes
- 🌡️ Cook Time: No cook
- ⏳ Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- 🍽️ Serving: 10 servings
- ⚡ Calories: 205kcal
- 🌶️ Flavor Profile: Crisp and fruity with apple, cranberry, and a sparkling, lightly sweet finish
- ✋ Difficulty: Easy, as simple as our white wine spritzer
Quick Answer
To make white wine sangria, stir together chardonnay, light rum, apple cider, and white cranberry juice in a large pitcher. Add sliced apples and fresh cranberries, then top with lemon-lime or vanilla soda. Refrigerate for at least one hour and serve over ice with rosemary sprigs. It makes about 10 servings and takes just 10 minutes of prep.
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Why This Recipe Works
Click to see the technique science
- Chardonnay keeps it crisp. A dry white wine gives the sangria a light, refreshing base that lets the fruit shine.
- A splash of rum. Light rum adds a little extra kick without overpowering the bright fruit flavors.
- Apple cider for depth. Apple cider brings a cozy, fruity sweetness that makes this sangria extra special.
- Soda for sparkle. Topping with soda or sparkling water adds fizz and a touch more sweetness.
- Fresh fruit infuses. Sliced apples and cranberries soak up the wine and add gorgeous color and flavor.
- Better make-ahead. A rest in the fridge lets all the flavors meld, so it tastes even better an hour later.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It is a no-fuss pitcher drink that serves a whole crowd from one batch.
- The mix of apple, cranberry, and crisp wine is refreshing and just sweet enough.
- It is endlessly easy to customize, like a lighter cousin to our black cherry sangria.
Key Ingredients
Here is what makes this white wine sangria so good. A handful of simple ingredients combine into a fruity, sparkling pitcher.
- Chardonnay: A crisp, dry white wine is the base. Any unoaked white you enjoy drinking will work.
- Light Rum: Adds a little extra kick. Leave it out for a lighter, lower-alcohol sangria.
- Apple Cider: Brings cozy, fruity sweetness and depth to the wine.
- Apples and Cranberries: Sliced apples and fresh cranberries add color, texture, and flavor as they soak.
- Soda: Lemon-lime or vanilla soda adds sparkle and a touch of sweetness right before serving.
See recipe card for exact quantities.
Variations and Substitutions
This white wine sangria is easy to make your own.
- Make it non-alcoholic: Use a non-alcoholic white wine and skip the rum for a fruity mocktail punch.
- Switch the fruit: Try pears, oranges, or peaches in place of or alongside the apples.
- Use a different wine: A pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc works beautifully in place of chardonnay.
- Add more sparkle: Top with prosecco instead of soda for a bubblier, more festive version.
- Make a big-batch punch: Double everything for a party, like you would our touchdown punch.
How to Make White Wine Sangria
- Add the chardonnay to a large pitcher.
- Pour in the light rum.
- Stir in the apple cider and white cranberry juice.
- Add the sliced apples.
- Add the fresh cranberries and stir to combine.
- Top with the soda, stir, and refrigerate at least one hour. Serve over ice with rosemary sprigs.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Use a wine you enjoy drinking, since its flavor comes through in the finished sangria.
- Chill it for at least an hour so the fruit infuses and the flavors meld; overnight is even better.
- Add the soda right before serving so the sangria stays bubbly and fresh.
- Slice the apples thin so they soak up more flavor and look pretty in the glass.
- Use white cranberry juice for a lighter color, or regular cranberry juice for a rosy tint.
- Serve over plenty of ice to keep it cold and refreshing for a crowd.
- Garnish with rosemary or fresh fruit for a festive, finished look.
Serving Ideas and Suggestions
White wine sangria is the ultimate party pitcher. Serve it over ice in stemless glasses with a few of the soaked apple slices and cranberries in each one, plus a sprig of rosemary for a pretty, aromatic garnish.
It is perfect for holidays, brunches, and backyard get-togethers. Set it out alongside other crowd-pleasers like our black cherry sangria and blueberry lemonade cocktail so guests have options.
Hosting a bigger crowd? Round out the bar with our white wine spritzer, a French 75, and a lime margarita for something for everyone.
White Wine Sangria FAQs
A crisp, dry white wine like chardonnay, pinot grigio, or sauvignon blanc works best. Choose an unoaked white you enjoy drinking, since its flavor comes through in the finished sangria.
You can make the base up to 24 hours ahead and keep it chilled. Add the sliced apples a few hours before serving and the soda right before serving so it stays bubbly.
Yes. Use a non-alcoholic white wine or extra white cranberry juice, skip the rum, and top with soda for a fruity, sparkling mocktail the whole family can enjoy.
This version uses apples and cranberries, but pears, oranges, peaches, and berries all work beautifully. Use a mix of whatever is fresh and in season.
You can. The fruit soaks up the wine and is delicious to nibble, though it does absorb alcohol, so enjoy it accordingly. It also makes a pretty garnish in each glass.
White wine sangria is best within 2 days. Store it covered in the fridge; the fruit will soften over time and the soda will lose its fizz, so it is best enjoyed fresh.
Love an easy pitcher drink? Our black cherry sangria is another crowd-pleasing sangria to mix up next.
Our passion fruit margarita is a refreshing, fruity cocktail perfect for warm-weather entertaining.
Round out your home bar with our simple syrup, ready in the fridge whenever you need it.
Sparkling White Wine Sangria
Ingredients
- 750 ml Chardonnay
- 1 cup light rum
- 1 & 1/2 cups apple cider
- 1 & 1/2 cups white cranberry juice
- 1 granny smith apple sliced
- 1 Honeycrisp apple sliced
- 1 cup cranberries fresh or frozen
- 3 cups vanilla soda or lemon-lime soda, or sparkling water
- rosemary sprigs for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Add the chardonnay, rum, apple cider, and cranberry juice to a large pitcher. Stir to combine750 ml Chardonnay, 1 cup light rum, 1 & 1/2 cups apple cider, 1 & 1/2 cups white cranberry juice
- Add the sliced apples and cranberries and stir to combine.1 granny smith apple, 1 Honeycrisp apple, 1 cup cranberries
- Top with the soda. Stir and refrigerate for at least one hour.3 cups vanilla soda
- Serve over ice with rosemary sprigs for garnish.rosemary sprigs
Notes
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh fruit and juices make all the difference in flavor.
- Chill Before Serving: Let the sangria chill for at least an hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
- Adjust Sweetness: Taste the sangria before serving and add simple syrup if needed.
- Garnish Beautifully: Use rosemary sprigs or star anise for a festive touch.
- Double Up: This recipe can easily be doubled for larger gatherings.
- Serve Over Ice: Always serve sangria over ice for a refreshing drink.
Nutrition
Love This Recipe?
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White grape juice works too
Is there something we can use to substitute the white cranberry juice? I am having a hard time finding it.
Vanilla cream soda is what we prefer, but vanilla club soda would work too!
Hi are we supposed to use vanilla flavored club soda? Or vanilla cream soda?
Yes!
Could you use vodka instead? We’re not big rum people…
Raw 🙂
Are the cranberries raw or am I supposed to cook them first? G
This looks amazing. I can’t wait to try it in my next home party. Thank you.