Summer calls for a cool, light cocktail like this easy and refreshing Watermelon Sangria! Just blend watermelon, limes, oranges & wine, then sit back and say ah! It's the perfect white sangria for backyard BBQs, 4th of July picnics, and, well, anytime!
It's getting close to the 4th of July and our summer vacation and all I can think about is cool, refreshing summer cocktails to help beat the heat. We usually have a big get-together with family for the 4th and grill outside, lots of good things, like hamburgers, kabobs and the usual hot dogs for the kids, and there has to be a refreshing drink!
We make one drink for the kids, like our Pineapple Splash, minus the vodka of course, and one for the adults. I've also made pitcherfuls of Sea Breezes, Mango Coladas (my husband's specialty), and my famous Pineapple Coconut Mojito with resounding success.
But I wanted something new this year. Enter this easy summer cocktail - Watermelon Sangria.
Table of contents
This watermelon white sangria recipe is super easy and can be prepped and mixed by the pitcherful, preferably the day before. This allows time for the fruit flavors to permeate the wine while the fruit itself absorbs some of the alcohol. I like to think of the fruit like the prize at the bottom of the glass! Yum!
Just prior to serving, I like to top this summer cocktail with a little bubbly for a nice refreshing effervescent twist.
What is sangria?
Sangria is a wine-based drink, using either red or white wine, to which is added a variety of sliced or cut-up fruit. For the basic sangria, there should be at least two fruits, one a citrus and one not. Other add-ins may include a sweetener, fresh fruit juices, and occasionally other alcohols such as champagne or vodka.
Best wines for white sangria
Use a younger wine that is not too sweet or acidic, with nice fruity notes, so that it balances out the flavor of the overall mix. Wines such as Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Moscato, and Vinho Verde are just a few of the more popular selections.
Fruit for White Sangria
Pairing your fruit additions to the flavors of the wine you choose is a great starting point. Of course, almost all fruits are delicious in sangria although some are a more perfect fit than others.
- Oranges/Blood Oranges: add a nice citrusy note. Pair best with berries.
- Lemons: can be added in place of oranges or by themselves. Pairs best with berries.
- Strawberries or blueberries: are not overly sweet or acidic and therefore help to balance out the aicidity of the wine. Pairs best with lemon, lime and strawberries.
- Peaches: pairs best with pineapple, grapes, lemons and oranges.
- Pineapple: pairs best with peaches and grapes.
Sangria Variations
- Watermelon Moscato Sangria - uses moscato, a sweet wine with predominant flavors of peach and orange, in place of the white wine
- Pink Sangria - made with light Rose wine rather than a white wine
- Bubbly Sangria or Champagne Sangria - add the same amount of champagne as the white wine. It adds an extra effervescence to this summer cocktail
- Watermelon Strawberry Sangria - replace the oranges and 2 of the limes with 2 cups of sliced strawberries
- Watermelon Vodka Sangria - for a lttle extra kick, add ⅓ to ½ cup vodka to the mix
- Frozen Sangria - just freeze the wine in ice cube trays and add to a blender with agave and cut-up fruit.
- Boozy Sangria - add citrus-flavored vodka, rum or a schnapps like Watermelon Pucker.
- Cucumber Watermelon Sangria - for those that like juicing, add 1 cucumber to the sangria for a bit of earthy flavor.
How to Make White Sangria with Watermelon
- Collect the four ingredients you need. You can also add mint leaves, cucumber for a bit of earthy flavor and agave for sweetness.
- Cut or slice the fruit. Some of the fruit is peeled and cut-up to be added to the blender and some is sliced for adding to the pitcher.
- Pour cut up fruit into blender.
- All set to blend.
- Blend away! Isn't that such a pretty color!
- Strain and pour into a large pitcher. Add fruit slices. Place the pitcher in refrigertor overnight to allow flavors to blend together.
When you're ready to serve, fill glasses with ice, garnish with the extra fruit and add sangria. To finish, I like to add a touch of bubbly to this tropical-looking sangria watermelon cocktail but that is totally optional.
Tips for making the best summer sangria
- Make sure the fruit is ripe for the fullest flavor
- Let the sangria sit at least 2 hours but preferably overnight
- Add softer fruits just prior to serving such as melon or berries so they don't get mushy
- Add extra sparkle to the mix with champagne, sparkling water or lemon-lime soda
- Look at the tasting notes of the wine you choose and use fruits that accent its flavors
- Use a wine that you would drink alone as the flavor will come through
This light sangria watermelon cocktail is the perfect sipper for holiday get-togethers and long summer days. With so many fresh fruits of the season to choose from, as well as wines, there is a never-ending delicious variety to your summer sangria happy hour. So here's to however you like your cocktail! Enjoy!
More Summer Cocktails
Strawberry Rum Fizz combines sweet strawberries, a squeeze of lime, rum, and a champagne topper for a cool and refreshing summer cocktail that tastes like summer in a glass!
Watermelon Splash is a tropical-flavored cocktail with watermelon, pineapple, rum, and sparkling pineapple water, that is sure to cool you off!
Fresh Raspberry Mojito from Noshing with the Nolands is a light and fresh cocktail using raspberries and rum.
Blue Curacao Cocktail is a refreshing drink that looks as pretty as it tastes. It has an islandy combination of coconut rum, blue curacao, lime juice, and to keep it light, a touch of sparkling orange water.
Peach Sangria is made with fresh peaches and peach schnapps.
Find lots of easy cocktail recipes here on 2CM!
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Watermelon Sangria A Summer Cocktail
Ingredients
- 4 cups watermelon cubed
- 3 limes, 2 peeled + 1 lime, sliced
- 2 oranges 1 peeled + 1 orange sliced
- 1 cucumber sliced (optional)
- 2 teaspoons agave nectar or to taste (optional)
- 10 mint leaves (optional)
- 1 ¾ cups fume blanc, pinot grigio, riesling, sauvignon blanc or moscato
Instructions
- Place watermelon, 2 peeled limes, 1 orange peeled and cucumber, if using, into blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Strain and place into large pitcher.
- Add agave nectar or other sweetener. Stir and taste. Add more, if needed, to suit your taste.
- Add wine and prepared slices of lime, orange and mint leaves into pitcher. Place in refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight, if possible.
- If adding some sparkle to your sangria, add it just prior to serving.
- Pour sangria into glasses and add extra sliced fruit as garnish.
Notes
- Watermelon Moscato Sangria - uses moscato, a sweet wine with predominant flavors of peach and orange, in place of the white wine
- Pink Sangria - made with light Rose wine rather than a white wine
- Bubbly Sangria or Champagne Sangria - add the same amount of champagne as the white wine. It adds an extra effervescence to this summer cocktail
- Watermelon Strawberry Sangria - replace the oranges and 2 of the limes with 2 cups of sliced strawberries
- Watermelon Vodka Sangria - for a lttle extra kick, add ⅓ to ½ cup vodka to the mix
- Frozen Sangria - just freeze the wine in ice cube trays and add to a blender with agave and cut-up fruit.
- Boozy Sangria - add citrus-flavored vodka, rum or a schnapps like Watermelon Pucker.
- Cucumber Watermelon Sangria - for those that like juicing, add 1 cucumber to the sangria for a bit of earthy flavor. I
Nutrition
This recipe has been updated with more information, better step-by-step instructions and new photos. It was originally posted on July 1, 2014.
