Zesty Tart Cherry Sangria Recipe

tart sangria

⏲ Prep: 10 mins
🍴 Servings: ~4–6 glasses

🧑🍳 Stuff to Know Before You Start

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Why Rosé? Light, fruity rosé wine highlights the natural sweetness of berries without overpowering them.

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Cherry Twist: Fresh cherries add a tart pop. Feel free to toss in additional stone fruits like peaches if you have them on hand.

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Sparkling Lemon Water: This adds fizz and a hint of citrus. If you prefer, swap in sparkling water or lemon-lime soda for extra sweetness.

🧊

Serve Chilled: Sangria is best enjoyed cold. Letting the fruit soak in the wine for at least an hour deepens the flavor.

🥄 Ingredients

  • 1 bottle rosé wine (750 mL)
  • ¼ cup white rum
  • ~⅓ bottle (about 8–10 oz) sparkling lemon water
  • 1 orange, thinly sliced (¼-inch disks)
  • 1 lemon, thinly sliced (¼-inch disks)
  • 1 pint fresh cherries, pitted & halved
  • ½ pint fresh strawberries, quartered
  • Handful of fresh blueberries
  • Handful of fresh raspberries

📝 Step by Step

1

Mix Base

In a large pitcher, pour 1 bottle rosé wine and ¼ cup white rum. Add the sliced orange and lemon.

2

Fruit Infusion

Gently stir in the cherries, strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. Let the mixture rest in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour—or longer for a deeper infusion of flavors.

3

Fizzy Finish

Just before serving, stir in ⅓ bottle (about 8–10 oz) of sparkling lemon water for a bubbly kick. Taste and adjust with more or less sparkling water as preferred.

🍷 Pro Tip: If you’re hosting a crowd, feel free to double the recipe—this sangria goes fast, especially on hot days!

🍽️ How to Serve Tart Cherry Rosé Sangria

  • Chilled Glasses: Pop your serving glasses in the freezer for 10 minutes for extra refreshment.
  • Garnish Galore: Add a sprig of mint or extra citrus slices to each glass for a party-ready presentation.
  • Fruit Bowl Bonus: Once you’ve finished the sangria, enjoy the wine-soaked fruit—delicious on its own or spooned over ice cream or sorbet.

🧠 The Science Behind Success

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Fruit Maceration: Soaking fruit in alcohol draws out natural sugars, creating a sweeter, more aromatic sangria.

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Citrus Oils: Sliced oranges and lemons release essential oils into the wine, enhancing the crisp, tart character of rosé.

📖 Summer Sips & Surplus Fruit

This recipe is a perfect solution for extra produce from your local farm or backyard orchard—think peaches, berries, and beyond. Combining rosé’s delicate notes with tart cherries and fresh citrus, it’s a bright, refreshing sipper that’s as colorful as it is easy to make.

Serve this sangria at a backyard barbecue or a casual dinner party. Guests will love the sweet-tart balance, and you’ll love how it lets you repurpose summer’s bounty in style.

❓ Reader Questions Answered

“Can I use other types of wine?”

Yes! White or light red wines (like Pinot Noir) can work. The flavor will be different but still delicious.

“Can I skip the rum?”

Absolutely. The rum adds a little extra kick, but you can omit it or sub vodka, triple sec, or brandy if preferred.

“Any non-alcoholic version?”

Sure! Replace the wine with sparkling juice (e.g., grape or apple) and omit the rum. You’ll still get a tasty, fruity beverage.

“Can I make it sweeter?”

If you want more sweetness, stir in a bit of simple syrup or agave nectar to taste. The fresh fruit should also add natural sweetness.