Save Money! A Sassy Sangria Bar Replaces a Full Bar

by Brittany McComas

Spice things up with a sexy sangria bar instead of a full-serve bar. Perfect for warmer wedding days, this Spanish cocktail is super budget friendly. Sangria might be commonly associated with warm days, but it can also be served in a warmer style with winter fruits for weddings all year around.

DIY Sangria Cocktails

This idea literally has your guests making their own delicious sangria just the way they want it. With loads of fruit and spice to choose from, you can pre-mix a white version and red version. For Red Sangria simply mix red Spanish wine and six ounces of brandy. Combine ½ cup of hot water with ½ cup white sugar and let cool.  Add simple syrup mix and one cup of orange juice to wine/brandy mix; top with one cup of sparkling water. For White Sangria simply replace the red with white Spanish Wine like a Tempranillo.

DIY Ingredients

Slice, chop and place your favorite sangria fruits out on the bar for your guests. Try adding some cinnamon sticks and fresh mint to the mix.

Self-Serve Sangria

The easiest, most budget-friendly way to give your guest a little sangria treat is to pre-mix a few pitchers or beverage dispensers and let them serve themselves. Check out the recipes below for some fun sangria to self-serve.

Traditional Sangria

Ingredients: 1.5 bottles of young table wine, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup brandy, 1/2 cup Cointreau or other orange liqueur, 2 oranges (juiced), 1 lemon (sliced), 1 lime (sliced), 1 cinnamon stick, 3 tablespoons Splenda (optional), 2 peaches or apricots, sparkling water or soda water. If using sugar, this will make it super sweet, dissolve the sugar in the 1/2 cup water.  In a large pitcher or bowl, combine the wine, Splenda water, orange juice and add in the slices of lemon, lime and peaches. Add cinnamon stick. Cover with lid or cling wrap. Let sit overnight. Serve with ice.

Simple Sangria

Ingredients: 1 bottle red Spanish wine, 1 cup fresh orange juice, 1/2 pineapple, chopped (roughly 1 cup), 1 orange, sliced into thin rounds and then halved, 1/2 pear, cubed. Slice fruit and drop into a large pitcher. Add orange juice, then wine and stir. Refrigerate until serving; 4-6 hours would be ideal so the flavors can mingle. Drink within 1-2 days. Courtesy of Minimalist Baker.

Winter Warmer Sangria

Ingredients: 2 cups no-pulp orange juice, 3 to 6 ounces cinnamon whiskey, 2 blood oranges or clementines (supremed), 1 Anjou pear (peeled, cored and chopped into 1/4-inch cubes), 1 Red & 1 Granny Smith apple (peeled, cored and chopped into 1/4-inch cubes), 2 bottles of red Spanish wine, 1 liter lemon lime soda, chilled. Pour all liquid into a large pitcher or punch bowl. Add blood oranges, apples and pears; stir to combine. Set aside at room temperature for at least 1 hour, so flavors can combine. Serve immediately over ice.