This is by far the best cava sangria recipe I've tried (and I've tried lots!). Serve it on a hot summer day, or as a festive winter cocktail. Cava makes everything better -- even sangria!
If you love sangria, make sure to try my recipes for traditional sangria and white sangria.
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Introduction
I love entertaining because it's one of the only times I get to make sangria, and there are so many combinations to try! The perfect sangria recipe for the holidays is definitely this cava sangria. It has the power to transform a holiday with family from good (or not so good…) to great!
But what is cava, you ask? The short answer is that it's champagne made in Spain with different, local grapes. It's just as good, in my opinion, and is priced at a great value.
Cava is a great wine for making sangria because it's already sparkling, meaning you don't have to add soda for effervescence. Apart from being more healthy, it is also more alcoholic than traditional sangria, so drink slowly and enjoy!
Ingredients
Curious what you need to make this refreshing cava sangria? Let's talk about the ingredients you'll need!
- Cava: I like using dry Spanish cava such as Brut or Brut Nature, and adjusting the sweetness to my preference with the sugar and fruit I add. Feel free to use a sweet sparkling wine if you prefer.
- Fruit: This classic cava sangria uses sliced apple, orange, pineapple, and grapes. I've added pear and cranberries for a more winter-like version (delicious). I've also gone for a more fruity version by omitting apples and using halved strawberries once -- all versions were delicious!
- Brandy and Liqueur: Use your favorite brandy. Grand Marnier or triple sec are both great options for the liqueur.
- Spices: I use cinnamon and star anise here, but feel free to omit either if the flavor is too strong or wintery.
- Mint: You can also omit mint if you prefer. I wouldn't substitute it with anything else, however.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Substitutions
- Cava: You can of course substitute any sparkling wine, but I recommend using a good quality one.
- Brandy and Liqueur: Use flavored vodka if you prefer, or omit the brandy and liqueur entirely. Some people like their sangria strong like I do, while others prefer a lighter version. Add/subtract as you wish.
How to Make
If you’d like to see the full ingredients and instructions, scroll to the bottom of the post for the printable recipe card.
- Place the sliced fruit in a large bowl.
- Sprinkle with sugar and stir, then let it sit for at least 10 minutes. The fruit will release some juices, creating a delicious syrup.
- Add the liquids: brandy, liqueur, and pineapple juice.
- Add a handful of mint leaves if you wish!
- Add the spices. I use cinnamon and star anise.
- Toss in the frozen grapes and let the mixture sit it in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
- Add the cava to the fruit mixture and stir gently to avoid losing too many bubbles.
- Serve over ice. Enjoy immediately!
Recipe FAQs
Cava is made from several varieties of white grapes, such as the Spanish varieties Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel·lo, and also Chardonnay and Malvasia. Cava is made similarly to champagne. Read more about what cava is if you're curious.
This cava sangria is made from cava (sparkling Spanish wine), brandy, orange liqueur, pineapple juice, orange, apple, pineapple, grapes, sugar, spices, and mint.
The key difference is that cava sangria is made from cava, a Spanish sparkling wine, while red wine sangria primarily consists of red wine instead. Cava sangria is frequently spiked with brandy or liqueurs, while traditional sangria isn't always spiked (but I like it that way!).
Serve
Sangria is extremely versatile. It can be served as a pre-meal cocktail or as part of the main event! I love to serve a good sangria alongside any paella recipe, or as part of a classic tapas feast.
Store
The fruit, juice, and liqueur mixture can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours. Only add the cava right before serving so it doesn't lose its fizziness.
Expert Tips
- I like to use brut or brut nature cava, which isn't too sweet, but feel free to use semi-seco or dulce if you'd like something sweeter. You can also try other types of sparkling wine.
- Switch up the fruit as desired. Try swapping the apple for halved strawberries.
- Tweak the liquor amounts to your taste. Try using vodka if you prefer, or omit it entirely for a lighter sangria.
- Sweeten the sangria by adding sugar or simple syrup to taste.
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Cava Sangria Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 red apple thinly sliced
- 1 cup fresh pineapple diced
- 2 oranges thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 cup red grapes frozen
- ½ cup brandy
- ½ cup orange liqueur Gran Marnier or triple sec
- ¾ cup pineapple juice
- 8 fresh mint sprigs
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 star anise optional
- 2 750 ml bottles chilled cava brut, brut nature, semi-seco, or dulce
- sugar or simple syrup to taste
- ice cubes
Instructions
- Place the sliced apple, orange and diced pineapple in a large bowl, then add two tablespoons of granulated sugar and toss to combine. Let the fruit macerate for at least 10 minutes.
- Add the brandy, orange liqueur, pineapple juice, mint, and spices. Use the back of a wooden spoon to gently muddle the mint and fruit.
- Chill the fruit mixture for at least an hour if possible.
- Before serving, add the chilled cava and frozen grapes and lightly stir to combine. Sweeten to taste by adding sugar (superfine is best) or simple syrup.
- To serve, either ladle the sangria into glasses filled with ice cubes, or into a serving pitcher filled halfway with ice. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- I like to use brut nature or brut cava, which isn't too sweet, but feel free to use semi-seco or dulce if you'd like something sweeter. You can also try other types of sparkling wine if you can't find cava.
- Switch up the fruit as desired. Try swapping the apple for halved strawberries.
- Tweak the liquor amounts to your taste. Try using vodka if you prefer, or omit it entirely for a lighter sangria.
- Sweeten the sangria by adding sugar or simple syrup to taste.
Nutrition
Photography by Giulia Verdinelli
NG
I made it twice with rave reviews. I left out the spices and brandy since I didn’t have it. Added a bit of white rum instead.
ForeverMama
We love Sangria and this version is a joy! Very tasty and I used ALL the suggestions. Came out so good, light but robust and refreshing and used an Italian Sparkling wine option. Thanks so much for sharing.
Giulia
I loved this recipe!
This sangria is so refreshing and the bubbles add a little fun to it.
The frozen grapes is a great way to keep it chilled without watering it down and the combo of fruit is delicious 🙂
Liz
I would kill for this right now, drink one for me please 🙂
Lauren Aloise
Wish you would come visit again! I'll make it for you!