Valentine’s Day Sparkling Sangria

Valentine’s Day Sparkling Sangria will give your romantic day extra sparkle, or will give you and your single girls something to giggle over as you swap dating war stories. Bottoms up!

about this valentine’s day sparkling sangria

Valentine’s Day is almost here… For many of you that means flowers, chocolates, and spending the night with the one you love. Back in the day, it used to mean a heaping double-batch of this sangria and most likely some girlish foolishness, along with a little chocolate and a whole lot of reliving the horrifying dates we’ve all been on.

Like the one who talked only about football the entire time, if you remember. There’s also the one who was ready to have me move in with him after two dates and the one who had zero personality. Oh and let’s not forget the one who didn’t smile for the entire date. That one still freaks me out; who doesn’t like to smile? I love smiling (finish this quote and I’ll send you a huge internet hug because you’re obviously my soulmate). 

Lord, the dating world is tough, huh? I’ve gotta be honest, I’m super glad to have been out of it for a long time.

This sangria is THE Valentine’s Day drink you have to have on the 14th. It’s sparkling, sweet, and tart so it strikes just the right chord for whatever you have planned to get the party started. The berries and extra dash of vodka bring the whole thing together in every rich, red sip.

Please note this is an updated version of the original posted on February 11, 2016. The recipe remains the same, additional details have been added to the post with FAQs and tips for success!

ingredients

sparkling rosé – for the sparkling rosé, I like to use one that is floral and not too sweet. I think the floral notes of a drier wine tastes really nice with the berries and brandy. If you like your rosé sweeter, you might want to omit the simple syrup. You can also try it without the simple syrup, then add in as desired!

vodka – any vodka will do here! I like to use a good middle shelf brand like Tito’s or Absolut.

berries – fresh berries are best! As much as I enjoy frozen berries for smoothies or in a pinch when baking, this sangria needs the fresh berries so it doesn’t alter the flavor of the sangria.

brandy – there’s no specific brand you have to use, but I always recommend Hennessy as a go-to if you are unfamiliar with brandy brands.

cranberry juice – when you use cranberry juice, make sure it is 100% cranberry juice. Avoid sweetened cranberry juice cocktail.

simple syrup – I use my own homemade simple syrup! This is easy to make – just combine 1 cup water with 1 cup granulated sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and stir until all the sugar has dissolved. Let cool completely and store in the refrigerator in a sealed container. Otherwise, you can purchase a brand like Stirrings.

Warning: this sangria does pack a punch so be prepared…

sangria favorites

pitcher

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bar spoon

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Gatsby cocktail glasses

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this recipe’s must-haves

I love stemless champagne flutes or coupe glasses for this sangria. It makes it a little extra elegant to put it in a fancy glass, you know?

To make the sangria, I use a pitcher or a copper pitcher. You can also use a wooden spoon to stir everything together.

here’s how to make valentine’s day sparkling sangria

make sangria base

The base of this sangria is made by combining vodka, berries, brandy, cranberry juice and simple syrup in a pitcher.

chill

Let the mixture chill for at least 2 hours.

finish

When you are ready to serve, top with chilled sparkling rosé and serve! Make sure each glass gets a few berries!

Pro Tip: Use fresh berries instead of frozen berries! They look so much fresher and more vibrant.

tips for success

don’t add ice. Don’t add ice to this pitcher! Instead of adding ice, chill it well in the refrigerator. I like to make sure to chill all of the elements prior to assembling as well. Ice will just water it down, so don’t use it.

fresh is better. Yes, fresh berries are better than frozen here! If you absolutely can’t find berries, you can opt for frozen. Be sure to thaw them and drain them really well before adding to the recipe.

More tasty Valentine’s Day cocktails to dive into: Raspberry Mimosas | Chambord Royale | Cherry Whiskey Smash | Cherry Bourbon Sour

is valentine’s day sangria sweet?

This Valentine’s Day sparkling sangria is the ideal balance of sweet, tart, and bubbly. I would not call it a sweet mixture. There is a touch of sweetness, but it is balanced by the dryness of the wine and the tartness of the berries!

can I use frozen berries?

Yes you can! I recommend using fresh, but you can use frozen if you can’t get your hands on fresh. Be sure to thaw out the berries first and then drain them.

Need more inspiration for Valentine’s Day? Check out my Valentine’s Day recipes page!

what to serve with valentine’s day sparkling sangria

Whether you are cuddling up with your boo by a cozy fire for Valentine’s Day, or serving this sangria up with your besties for Galentine’s Day, here’s some ideas of things to serve with this sparkling sangria:

• Red Velvet Brownies are one of my favorite sweet treats to enjoy! The champagne cream cheese frosting is the ideal pairing for the moist brownies.
• Want a fun board to nibble on throughout the evening? This sweet goat cheese valentine’s day board is a hit!
• Pan seared scallops with bacon cream sauce are a dreamy dish to indulge in either for an appetizer or a main dish.
• A pizookie skillet for two is an ooey-gooey dessert to toast over!
• If you need more ideas, I’ve rounded up my favorite Valentine’s Day menus right here.

Finally, if you make this Valentine’s Day Sangria, please be sure to give this recipe a rating or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment. Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!

Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!