Non-Alcoholic Sangria Recipe with Ginger Ale - Fad Free Nutrition Blog (2024)

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I love hosting parties and get-togethers, and one thing that’s never missing from my shindigs is a centerpiece drink in my oh-so-trendy Mason jar drink dispenser. This last Thanksgiving, I wanted to make something very seasonal, both taste and color-wise. So I created this Non-Alcoholic Sangria Recipe which I’m sharing with you today!

I always like to make sure that all my guests’ food and drink preferences and tolerances are taken into account (that’s the registered dietitian in me!). Especially when there are little ones around. This drink is perfect for any occasion, and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It’s made with natural ingredients, so you can feel good about drinking it. Plus, it’s super easy to make!

What is sangria?

Sangria is an alcoholic drink made with red wine, chopped fruits, spices, and soda, or another non-alcoholic mixer. It is one of the most popular drinks in Spain. This fruity, refreshing drink is typically served cold, making it the perfect summertime staple. But it’s also quite versatile, and as you can see, is just as delicious served during the colder months.

What is sangria made of?

Traditionally, sangria is made with Spanish Tempranillo and other wines from Rioja, with chopped or sliced fruit added in. Brandy, orange juice, spices, and sparkling water are also common ingredients. Sangria recipes can vary considerably, and some modern versions use white wine instead of the traditional red.

Did you know that under European Law, as of 2014 only sangria made in Spain and Portugal is allowed to be sold as “sangria” in Europe? If it’s made in another country, it must be labeled as such (for example: Italian sangria). Pretty serious this sangria business, huh?

I love sangria. As a Latina, I guess it’s just in my DNA! I just adore its rich colors, its tart, fruity flavors, and the way it just looks so pretty served in the glass! I also tend to associate it with the holidays. When I was a kid, my parents would usually have a bottle of sangria during this season, and I would wonder why the grown-ups always made such a fuss about it. I was never allowed to try it, of course, but now as an adult, I get the hype.

What is non alcoholic sangria made of?

Since I wanted to make a non-alcoholic version of sangria, I substituted the red wine with cranberry and grape juice. They still maintain the drink’s trademark deep red color. Likewise, the tartness of the cranberry juice combined with the sweetness of the grape juice mimics the fruity, acidic flavor of red wine.

I also added orange and lemon juice since they pair so well with the other fruits while adding another dimension of juicy tartness to this drink.

What fruits are in sangria?

Since this is a festive version of sangria, I added fresh cranberries to the punch bowl, as well as the traditional orange, lemon, and lime slices. It’s also a great way to use up those cranberries leftover from the Thanksgiving cranberry sauce.

Another holiday touch I include in this recipe is star anise pods. Just like sangria, the flavor of anise takes me back to my childhood Christmases. Here in Puerto Rico, back in the 80s, there were these anise-flavored hard candies that were always served during the holidays. Any house that you visited, boom: anise candies! I can’t help but remember my Barbie and the Rockers and Rainbow Brite dolls under the Christmas tree whenever I get a whiff of this spice.

I added just a few anise pods to this recipe since its flavor is pretty strong. I almost went against it, since not everyone is a fan of this spice. But so I’m glad I did use it. After sitting with the rest of the ingredients for a while, the anise pods gave this drink such a special, almost sweet, licorice-like kick, elevating the flavor of the sangria into pure holiday nostalgia (at least for me!). And the kids happily drank it up, and there’s no better culinary gauge than “the kids liked it” #justsayin. Oh, and it looks so pretty in the punch bowl, don’t you think?

Since sparkly drinks are just so festive, I added diet ginger ale to this non-alcoholic sangria recipe. You can also use sparkling water, or diet lemon soda as well. Just make sure to add it right before serving, in order to preserve the bubbles as long as possible.

And finally, I recommend serving this party drink in a classic punch bowl or in this fun, festive fountain in order to show off all the fruit slices and spices. Besides, half the fun of drinking sangria is scooping out and eating the juicy fruit pieces. But if this is too messy for your gathering, you can also strain the sangria into ice-filled glasses and garnish each with pieces of fruit skewered on a co*cktail pick. Trust me, it will still look gorgeous!

What does non alcoholic sangria taste like?

Non-alcoholic sangria tastes fruity and refreshing, with a sweetness that is tempered by the acidity of the fruit juices.

Easy Non Alcoholic Sangria Recipe with Ginger Ale

I hope you enjoy this non-alcoholic sangria recipe! And as always, if you try out this recipe, let me know how it went down in the comments section! Cheers!