As my mocktail program, a division of “The Michael Pour” launches for the summer months, I am sharing with you my signature batched summer sangria. It’s perfect for warm days, baby showers, weddings, summer picnics, pool parties, or any buzz-free celebration or alongside boozy events.
If you remember the discussion from my last post on ‘healthy drinking’ and the trend toward mocktails, alcohol-free spirits, low alcohol and light drinks, this fits the bill.
So, how do you make a traditional sangria without wine and spirits? What is a good substitute for the wine in sangria? Here are some great options – white grape juice, pomegranate juice, or brewed tea. They are great non-alcoholic alternatives.
Why not use non-alcoholic wine? Well, the flavor can really vary depending on the brand. The sangria recipe I use creates a vibrant flavor and beautiful rosé-like hue. It also can be mixed up very quickly and is easily customizable with seasonal fruit and switching between juices and tea. There is a science to making a perfect sangria. Most are not concocted properly.
This sangria is available right now for your next party or event. I will mix it up for you and deliver to your location the day of the party or event. I will provide all the necessary supplies, tools, fruit, and menu displays. Many other pre-batched mocktail drinks and sangrias also available.
If you want to make your summer sangria seasonal, swap the fruit for other seasonal fruit; apples, pears, cranberries in the fall; oranges & kiwi in the winter; or blueberries and apricots in the spring, for example.
You can also book me to serve made-to-order mocktails to your guests at the party or event. My hospitality services are top shelf. Now offering free consultation to go over your party/event and a 10% discount.
Ask me for my mocktail drink menus and batched mocktails tailored to your occasion, taste preferences, and guests. You pick the menu! Think of it as a mobile mocktail stand! Menu used for previous events above.
What we can create for you? Fresh purées, juices, shrubs, infused juices, alcohol-free spirits, herbs and spices, syrups, coffee and teas, infused waters, fresh fruit, and much more…
Without further ado, here are the ingredients, recipe, and prep instructions for my summer sangria. If you’re interested, I can share my alcoholic version with the ideal wine and spirit.
Recipe Ingredients –
Orange, Grapefruit, Lime, Strawberries: Fresh, sliced fruit infuses the drink. You can choose whatever fruit you want, but I recommend including some citrus.
White Grape Juice: Look for 100% juice. Regular grape juice would also work for a red sangria option.
Hibiscus berry tea: Hibiscus berry tea or hibiscus tea both work to add a floral and a tartness component and adds a gorgeous rosy hue.
Orange Blossom Water: The recipe also works without it, but I really like the unique floral flavor and complexity it adds. A great addition to cocktails too! Homemade recipe below!
Sparkling water: Club soda and seltzer also work. A flavored sparkling water (unsweetened) is a nice touch. Invest in a good brand.
Edible flowers: For garnish
Ingredients (4 servings, for 20 guests multiply by 5)
- 1 orange, sliced
- Half grapefruit, sliced
- 1 lime, sliced
- 3-4 strawberries, sliced
- 1 1/2 cup white grape juice
- 1/2 cup chilled hibiscus berry tea
- 1 tsp orange blossom water
- 1 1/2 cup sparkling water, chilled
- Edible flowers, for garnish (I like violets)
Thank you The Social Sipper @thesocialsipper for the inspiration and lovely imagery.
How to make this recipe
Step 1: Prep – Brew your hibiscus tea and allow it to chill. Rinse and slice all of your fruit, then place it into a large pitcher.
Step 2: Muddle the fruit – Use a wooden spoon or muddler to gently press the fruit, which helps release the natural juices and aromas.
Step 3: Pour in the white grape juice, chilled hibiscus tea, and a splash of orange blossom water. Stir everything together until well mixed. I like to let the flavors infuse together for 10 or more minutes in the fridge.
Step 4: Just before serving, add the sparkling water and gently stir. Taste and tweak as needed—add more grape juice for sweetness or extra sparkling water to lighten it up.
Step 5: Pour and garnish – Serve over ice in individual glasses. For a beautiful finish, top with edible flowers. Best enjoyed right away!
Instructions –
Wash and slice all fruit. Add fruit to a pitcher and gently muddle with a muddler or wooden spoon to release juices. Add white grape juice, hibiscus tea and orange blossom water and stir to incorporate.
When ready to serve, add sparkling water and stir to combine. Taste and adjust flavor, if necessary, by adding more white grape juice or sparkling water.
Let (non-sparkling) ingredients infuse together for 10+ minutes before adding sparkling water. Add sparkling water right before serving. Use chilled ingredients.
Divide into glasses over ice and garnish with edible flowers if desired. Enjoy immediately!
Orange Blossom Water:
Ingredients:
- 4 cups fresh orange blossoms (petals only, stems and green parts removed)
- 2 cups distilled water
- A large heavy-bottomed pot with a lid
- A small, heat-proof glass bowl or jar (to sit inside the pot)
Instructions:
- Place the heat-proof glass bowl in the center of your large pot.
- Scatter the cleaned orange blossoms around the base of the glass bowl, then pour the distilled water over the flowers.
- Place the pot lid upside down (concave side facing up) on the pot.
- Turn the heat to medium-low to bring the water to a gentle simmer. Place ice cubes on top of the inverted lid.
- As the water simmers, steam rises, hits the cold lid, condenses, and drips down into your center glass bowl. Simmer for 20-25 minutes, adding more ice to the lid as it melts.
- Carefully remove the center glass bowl (it will contain your pure orange blossom water) and pour it into a clean, sterile glass bottle. Store in the fridge for up to 6 months.
Notes –
You can prepare the fruit, grape juice, hibiscus tea, and orange blossom water mixture up to 24 hours before. I always keep this prepped in the fridge until I’m ready to use it.
Store any leftover non-alcoholic sangria (without sparkling water) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Add fresh sparkling water before serving to keep the drink bubbly and refreshing.
Check out my “Mocktails By Michael” Instagram page @mocktailsbymichael. This is where you will find pictures of past events and mocktails. Sample mocktails from previous event above. Bar setup as cover photo.
Cheers,
Michael
michael@michaelpour.com