Spanish Rose Sangria

A twist on the classic red wine based sangria, this rose sangria is perfect for an afternoon with friends.

We are on the cusp of spring and I couldn’t be happier. The days are longer and also warmer, which means my drink of choice is changing from heavier cocktails to brighter, fresh libations.

I was once in winter hibernation but now I’m ready to catch up with friends – and what could be better than chatting over rose sangria.

Without a doubt it’s one of the best wine cocktails around the world.
 
 

And while I thought last year was the summer of rose I’m extending it to this year as well.

Rose deserves more than just one year.

You may be surprised that I would take a wine I love and turn it into sangria. Sangria is known to mask poor quality wine with fruit, sugar and liqueur.

Sure there’s merit to that reputation.

Like everyone else it seems I adore rose wine. Even my favourite author Ernest Hemingway loved Spanish rose.

It was my drink of choice to beat the heat in Charleston and some restaurants had it by the glass or on tap!
 
 

I think we’ve all tragically ordered a pitcher of sangria from a crappy Irish pub. After a few sips your teeth feel like they are rotting, just like the orange slices in the plastic pitcher.

Let’s not do that anymore, k?

Just as you should only cook with wine that you would drink, you should only use good wine in sangria.

After all it’s the base flavour, so why start with something bad and then spend the rest of the time masking its flavour.

Rose is fresh, bright and perfect for afternoons in the sun. If you like your friends spend the extra few dollars and choose a quality rose.

And if you love your friends also keep a second bottle chilled as the best afternoons run into early evening and you’ll want more.
 
 

Traditional Spanish Sangria

This rose sangria is not traditional. The original sangria uses red wine from Rioja in Northern Spain .

However, this recipe isn’t completely blasphemous as I’ve chosen CV Tempranillo Rose, which uses the same Tempranillo grape from Rioja, Spain.

The grape is the same but the process of making the wine is different.

It’s good enough to drink on its own (remember I said you may need that second chilled bottle) and retails for $11.95 which is very reasonable.

It’s a great afternoon wine and a good candidate for sangria as it’s medium bodied with 14% alcohol so it can stand up to other flavours in the sangria.

I guess you could call this rose the younger sibling of the mighty Rioja wine.

   

Just Say No…to Sweet Sangria

As a rule I prefer drinks to be tart and refreshing. This rose punch builds on the berry flavours from the CV Tempranillo Rose.

But instead of sweet strawberries I’ve opted for tart raspberry, peach and Triple Sec balanced with just a bit of simple syrup and soda water.

This isn’t your Irish pub sangria.
 
 

Pairing Food with Rose Sangria

Never ever invite friends over for drinks unless you have food as well. Even if everyone pretends they aren’t hungry eventually they will eat.

Be prepared but don’t stress.

Spanish wine is versatile and easily enjoyed with food. Sangria is casual and unfussy, and so should be your focus on wine pairing.

I love tapas style entertaining so people can pick at food, think salty and spicy.

Cured meats like Spanish jamón are easy, as are olives, grilled vegetables or pan con tomate.

If it’s lunch/brunch think about light pastas with spicy shrimp, a vegetable quiche/Spanish omelette and you can’t go wrong with the traditional dish of Rioja – chorizo.

It may seem counterintuitive but rose, and this sangria, balances out salt and spicy flavours.

 
It’s your turn: share your favourite sangria recipe in the comments below.

Pin it For Later: Rose Berry Sangria Recipe

Disclosure: This berry sangria post is in partnership with Pernod Ricard. I reached out to them as I wanted to use Campo Viejo rose for all the reasons I listed above and they were kind enough to sponsor this post.  It’s because of great sponsors like these that I’m able to run this website and have afternoon rose cocktail with friends.