Easy Red Sangria with Aperol

Sangria is a favorite drink of mine and this easy red wine sangria with Aperol is my favorite go-to recipe for making it. This red sangria needs only a few simple ingredients including Aperol and it is easy to make.

Aperol sangria is an easy and effortless red wine sangria recipe that is perfect to make for a crowd. All you have to do is grab a pitcher and mix all the ingredients together.

Once you do this, you will be on your way to having a delicious red sangria that rivals the best Spanish restaurants.

I swear it is that good!

What You Will Need

• Orange juice: This is the classic juice component in sangria and it pairs so well with the flavor of the Aperol.
• Aperol: The star ingredient with its fruity notes.
• Red wine: Preferably a nice Spanish wine.
• Lemon juice: This balances the fruity notes.
• Oranges for garnish: I like to show the flavor in the sangria and since we are using orange juice, this makes the perfect garnish.

All of the ingredients for this easy red sangria are basic items at any grocery store. There are just a couple of extra ingredients aside from the Aperol and wine.

That is my kind of cocktail-making!

Why Aperol in sangria works

If you are not familiar with Aperol it is an Italian liquor made mainly from rhubarb and it is bright pink in color. I love this stuff and have so many uses for it including my favorite easy Aperol cocktails, Aperol and soda, and my Aperol gin martini.

Aperol naturally has many fruity notes thanks to the fact it is made with rhubarb. Because of this rhubarb flavor, Aperol really compliments the fruity notes in sangria perfectly.

In this recipe, Aperol replaces the commonly used Grand Marnier liquor that is used in sangria. Grand Marnier has orange notes, and Aperol has rhubarb notes.

We are just swapping one fruity flavor for another.

How To Make Aperol Sangria

• Grab a pitcher.

• Pour your wine, orange juice, Aperol, and lemon juice into the pitcher.

• Serve with glasses full of ice.

• Optional: serve with orange slices in the glasses.

Now, if you want you can measure everything out so it is perfect. I usually just eyeball it all. For this recipe, I wrote it out so you know the proportions but you can customize it to your taste.

This sangria will not be ruined if you eyeball it. Maybe you were too busy chatting while re-filling those pitchers 🙂

Honestly, this happens to me all the time when entertaining so I can vouch for it turning out well even if the ratios are a little off. This is why this is the best sangria for a crowd or event.

How to serve

This easy red sangria with Aperol can be served any time of year. I love sangria in the winter because of its fruity notes and in the summer because it is so refreshing.

I love it alongside these goat cheese and red pepper crostini, Chorizo frito, Spanish mussels, or my chorizo burgers. I even love it served alongside my zucchini galette for a lighter meal.

Tips

• Best wine for making this sangria: Preferably a drier good quality Spanish wine. You can also use a Pinot Noir and that has great results.
• Making this Aperol sangria stronger: This sangria is perfectly balanced. Not too strong and not too weak. If you prefer a stronger sangria, you can always add additional liquor or some brandy.

Storing

If you are making this easy sangria for a crowd or large group, just make multiple pitchers and store them in the fridge. If you have any leftover sangria or are making it ahead of time, you can store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Mix well before serving.

I hope you give this easy red sangria recipe a try. I feel pretty strongly that you will love it as much as I do.

More Like This

If you love this Aperol sangria, you will also love these easy cocktails: