There’s nothing quite like a refreshing sangria to celebrate the summer holidays, and with strawberries in season, this fruity sangria is hard to resist. Bursting with the sweet, juicy flavour of strawberries and complemented by the zest of citrus, this easy-to-make cocktail is a great way to wind down after a busy year.

Ingredients

• 1 bottle of chilled dry white wine
• 1 cup of fresh strawberries, sliced
• 1 orange, thinly sliced
• 1 lemon, thinly sliced
• 1 lime, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup of simple syrup or honey (adjust to taste)
• 1/4 cup of brandy (optional)
• 1 cup of sparkling water
• Fresh mint leaves and sliced lemon for garnish (optional)
• Ice cubes, as needed

Method

1. In a large pitcher, pour the bottle of wine, then add in the strawberries, orange, lemon, and lime slices. Stir to combine.
2. Add the simple syrup or honey to the mix. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed. If you prefer a stronger drink, add 1/4 cup of brandy at this point.
3. Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight. This allows the flavors to fully blend together, making the sangria even more delicious.
4. Before serving, stir in sparkling water. Add ice cubes as needed. Serve in glasses garnished with fresh mint leaves.

Tips for the perfect strawberry Sangria

1. Choose the right wine: Go for a dry white wine with fruity notes. This way, the sweetness doesn’t overpower the sangria, and the wine complements the strawberries and citrus.
2. Make it ahead of time: Sangria tastes best when the flavours have had time to meld, so prepare it a few hours in advance or the night before.
3. Experiment with add-ins: Strawberries and citrus are classics, but feel free to get creative. Add in fruits like peaches, raspberries, or pineapple.