Easy Strawberry Vanilla Sangria: Your Perfect Summer White Wine Cocktail

Welcome to the vibrant flavors of summer! As the days grow longer and the sun shines brighter, there’s nothing quite like a refreshing drink to accompany warm weather gatherings. This easy Strawberry Vanilla Sangria recipe, crafted with crisp white wine, succulent fresh strawberries, and the subtle elegance of vanilla bean, is your ultimate companion for cooling down and enjoying the season. It’s the perfect pitcher drink for Memorial Day, Fourth of July, backyard barbecues, or just a relaxing evening on the patio.

Here we are, deep into spring, and summer is already calling our names. Thoughts drift to sunny days, outdoor picnics, and the delicious aroma of grills firing up. There’s a certain magic to those hazy summer evenings, spent socializing with family and friends, a sense of ease that only the warmest months bring. And what better way to enhance that relaxed atmosphere than with a chilled, vibrant summer cocktail? Sangria effortlessly fits the bill. It’s renowned for being one of the easiest summer drinks to prepare – simply combine all your ingredients in a pitcher, chill for a few hours, and voilà!

My own journey with sangria began during a memorable blogging retreat. I arrived a bundle of nerves, anticipating meeting fellow bloggers in person for the very first time. However, any apprehension quickly melted away as the hostess greeted me with a beaming smile and, more importantly, a generously sized pitcher of sangria. Unfamiliar with the drink at the time, I accepted a glass, taking sips of the fruity concoction while mingling with the other guests. It was an instant connection – not just with the people, but with the delightful, easygoing nature of sangria itself.

Why Strawberry Vanilla Sangria is Your Summer Go-To

Over the years, sangria has become a staple in my summer entertaining repertoire. Last year, I explored delightful combinations like my Watermelon Blueberry Sangria and a cozy Red Apple Cider Sangria for cooler months. This year, with the peak of fresh strawberry season upon us, it’s time to celebrate with this bright and elegant Strawberry Vanilla Sangria. While there’s a small amount of cooking involved to create a rich strawberry vanilla syrup, it’s a quick and rewarding step that takes less than 10 minutes. The addition of vanilla isn’t just for sweetness; it masterfully complements the strawberries, deepening their natural flavor and adding an exquisite, aromatic layer that elevates this sangria beyond the ordinary.

Crafting the Perfect Sangria: The Essential Elements

Understanding the fundamental components of sangria empowers you to craft virtually any flavor combination imaginable. Each element plays a crucial role in creating a balanced and delicious drink. Let’s break down the basics:

1. Choosing Your Wine Base

The first decision is the type of wine: red, white, or rosé. For our Strawberry Vanilla Sangria, a white wine felt most appropriate, offering a light, refreshing backdrop that allows the delicate strawberry and vanilla notes to shine. When selecting wine for sangria, opt for something relatively inexpensive and on the drier side. Remember, you’ll be adding sweetness through fruit and syrup, so a very sweet wine might make the final product cloying. Look for bottles in the $8-$15 range. You don’t want something so cheap it’s undrinkable on its own, but there’s no need to splurge on a premium bottle when it’s going to be mixed with other ingredients. For this recipe, Pinot Grigio served as an excellent base, providing a crisp and clean profile that perfectly harmonizes with the other flavors. Other great white wine options include Sauvignon Blanc, unoaked Chardonnay, or a dry Rosé if you want a slightly pink hue.

2. Selecting Your Fruits

Next up is the fruit! A classic sangria typically calls for two types of fruit: one citrus and one non-citrus. For a summer strawberry sangria, fresh strawberries are obviously the star. Pairing them with a citrus fruit adds a crucial zing and brightness. While oranges are a popular choice, I often prefer the sharper, more vibrant flavor of lemons, which perfectly cuts through the sweetness and enhances the overall refreshing quality of the drink. Other excellent non-citrus choices for sangria include peaches, berries, or apples, while limes or grapefruits can be exciting citrus alternatives depending on your flavor profile.

3. The Sweetener: A Touch of Vanilla Magic

Sweetening sangria is typically achieved by making a simple syrup – boiling equal parts water and sugar. For this Strawberry Vanilla Sangria, we take this concept a delicious step further by infusing it with the unparalleled aroma and depth of vanilla. I chose to incorporate a variety of Nielsen-Massey Vanilla products: vanilla sugar for the syrup, vanilla extract for added intensity, and a whole vanilla bean for profound, long-lasting flavor. Vanilla is renowned for its ability to bring out the best in other flavors, making it the perfect partner for ripe strawberries. The result is a sangria that’s not just sweet, but rich, complex, and incredibly aromatic. If you don’t have all three vanilla forms, Nielsen-Massey’s vanilla bean paste is also an excellent option, offering both seeds and concentrated flavor. This step is what truly sets this vanilla sangria apart!

4. The Second Liquid: Adding Sparkle or Spirit

Finally, you’ll need a second liquid to complement the wine. Many traditional sangria recipes call for a type of liquor, such as brandy, orange liqueur (like Triple Sec or Cointreau), or even rum, to add an extra boozy kick. However, I personally prefer my drinks to be refreshing rather than overly strong, so I often opt for a non-alcoholic second liquid. This gives you more control over the alcohol content and makes the sangria more universally appealing. You have several delicious choices: orange juice, apple cider (as I used in my Red Apple Cider Sangria), another type of fruit juice, lemon-lime soda, or sparkling water. For this Strawberry Vanilla Sangria, I chose sparkling water. There’s already ample sweetness from the strawberry vanilla syrup, and the sparkling water provides a delightful effervescence without adding more sugar or alcohol, keeping the drink light and supremely refreshing.

Recipe: Strawberry Vanilla Sangria

Ready to make this delicious summer cocktail? Here’s the detailed recipe for a batch of our delightful Strawberry Vanilla Sangria.

Strawberry Vanilla Sangria

Yield:
6-8 drinks

Prep Time:
4 hours

Cook Time:
10 minutes

Total Time:
4 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 3 cups sliced strawberries
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup Nielsen-Massey vanilla sugar
• 1 Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon vanilla bean
• 1 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey vanilla extract
• 1 (750 ML) bottle Pinot Grigio
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 2 cups sparkling water

Instructions

1. In a large saucepan, whisk together 2 cups of the sliced strawberries, water, and vanilla sugar. Make a slit in the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape the fragrant seeds into the pan, then add the whole vanilla bean pod. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, whisking often to prevent sticking. Continue to boil for about 5 minutes, or until the strawberries break down and the mixture begins to thicken into a syrup. Remove from the heat and whisk in the vanilla extract for an added boost of flavor.
2. Carefully remove the vanilla bean pod from the saucepan and place it at the bottom of a large pitcher. Transfer the strawberry syrup mixture to a blender and blend until completely smooth. Pour the blended strawberry mixture into the pitcher. For an extra smooth sangria, you may optionally pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer and discard any remaining solids or seeds, though this step is not strictly necessary.
3. To the pitcher, stir in the remaining 1 cup of fresh sliced strawberries, the bottle of Pinot Grigio, and the lemon slices. Give everything a good stir to combine. Refrigerate the sangria for at least 4 hours to allow the flavors to meld and infuse properly; chilling it overnight is even better for maximum flavor development. Just before you are ready to serve, add the sparkling water, stirring gently. Serve over ice and enjoy!

Notes

Cocktail For Two: While sangria is often associated with larger gatherings, you certainly don’t need to throw a party to enjoy it! This recipe yields a generous amount, and the beauty of sangria is its longevity. Without the sparkling water added, this sangria can be stored in your refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. This means you can enjoy a glass or two each night without worrying about it going to waste. If you anticipate drinking less, simply halve the recipe. You can use the remaining wine for cooking, perhaps in a savory dish like my Brussels Sprouts and Goat Cheese Risotto.

Make Ahead Tip: For the best flavor, make the sangria (without the sparkling water) the day before serving. This allows the fruit and vanilla to infuse the wine deeply. Add sparkling water just before serving to maintain its fizziness.

Garnishing Suggestions: Elevate your presentation with fresh mint sprigs, extra lemon slices, or whole strawberries.

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know what you think! Rate the recipe above, leave a comment below, and/or share a photo on Instagram using #HITKrecipes

Elevate Your Summer Celebrations with Homemade Sangria

Making your own sangria at home is not only incredibly satisfying but also allows you to control the quality of ingredients and tailor the flavors precisely to your liking. This Strawberry Vanilla Sangria is a testament to how a few simple, high-quality ingredients can come together to create something truly special. The vibrant color, the refreshing taste, and the subtle complexity of the vanilla make this an unforgettable drink that will impress your guests and cool you down on the hottest of days.

We encourage you to experiment with other seasonal fruits and different white wines to discover your own favorite sangria variations. But for a drink that embodies the essence of summer with a touch of gourmet flair, this Strawberry Vanilla Sangria is an absolute must-try. It’s more than just a cocktail; it’s an experience, a delightful way to celebrate the sunny season with those you cherish.

For more information on the exceptional quality and wide range of vanilla products that can elevate your baking and beverage creations, be sure to check out the Nielsen-Massey website. You can also connect with them and find more inspiration by saying hello on their social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Nielsen-Massey Vanillas. Thank you for supporting me and the companies I work with, as sponsored posts help pay for the costs of running Chocolate Moosey, including website hosting and groceries for recipe development. All opinions and recipes are my own.