Sure — you’ve had wine. You’ve tried craft beer. And even sampled a cocktail. But, have you experienced sangria featuring beer? That’s right. We’ve challenged the boundaries of craft beer yet again with these tantalizing sangria recipes. Get ready to shake things up in time for a whole new alcoholic adventure.
Traditional sangria recipes are rooted in wine and Spanish history. After the Spanish were invaded by the Romans, they began planting grapes to trade with them. Drinks with alcohol became a preference as the water was likely contaminated with bacteria. Over time, fruit and spices were added — and the Spanish red wine punch was born.
And as we like to get crafty with all things, like craft beer cocktails, we’ve had a crack at curating some choice thirst quenchers.
Find your container — use either a punch bowl or a large pitcher.
Typically, traditional sangria recipes call for either red or white wines. Here you will need to decide on either lager or ales. To brush up on the difference between the two, explore our guide on craft beer. Ales come with spicy, fruity and floral flavours, whereas lagers have more of a cleaner, crisper and rounder taste.
Once you have chosen your craft beer base, you can move on to deciding on the best fruit pairing. Think melons, apples, grapes, citrus or berries.
To give the concoction a zing, add your complementing liquor. Add ¼ – ½ cup triple sec and then either ¼ – ½ cup brandy or rum.
Next, add a fruity juice base with ¼ – ½ cup of either orange, pomegranate or lemon juice.
For extra flavour, add about ½ – 2 cups of your preferred mixer. You can try anything from citrusy notes of a lemon-lime soda or frozen lemonade, to tea or ginger ale, still or sparkling water.
If you’re a beer lover with a sweet tooth, you can add more sweetness using either sugar or natural sources of sweetness like agave or honey. (When adding these, be sure to refrigerate your mixture overnight before serving).
Before pouring, prep glasses by filling them halfway with ice and then add your sangria mixture.
Define your signature sangria with the right garnish, for presentation and flavour. Get herbal with basil, mint or rosemary, add a zing with jalapeños, spice with cinnamon, or even a bold flavour with garlic. Serve immediately — cheers!
Now that you know the basics of building sangria, it’s time to get out your chopping boards. Ready your favourite fruits and craft beers to stir up these crowd-pleasers. Before beginning, be sure to wash all fruit thoroughly.
For a fabulous fruity pick, The Graduate is top of the class. With hints of passion fruit, litchi grapefruit and spices, this recipe is a sure summer sangria winner.
Hosting a braai or having sneaky sundowners? Score a touchdown with guests with this berry beer sangria featuring The Quarterback. Its light and fruity stance is a great base to use for this fruity flavoured drink.
Before making this sangria, chill all your ingredients. However, avoid freezing raspberries as they crumble. To make ahead of your event kickoff, add the vodka and fruit to a medium size container, cover and chill for up to one day. Then, add the remaining ingredients when serving.
While this hot weather favourite is perfect for the spring and summer months, it’s also a hit in autumn and winter! Enjoy this seasonal twist with a Gold Star Pilsner like The Dean. Curl up by the fire, pull out a book and dive into this wisened whistle-wetter.
Taste your sangria before serving — the sweetness level will depend on the beer and cider you use. To add sweetness, stir in maple syrup.
Whether you decide to try one of these summery or wintry sangria recipes, we wish you a delicious experience. For more craft beer ideas, explore our craft beers and find them to try at home.