How to Make a Healthier Sangria

Sangria is super popular during the summer and fall months because it can be so refreshing and is so easy to prepare for all of those social functions and events. It’s so festive that in December, it has its own special food holiday on December 20 and people serve it at holiday gatherings. Unfortunately, the sugar content can be a little high. So here are some versions of sangria that are better for you because they have a lower sugar content. These are great whether you want to cut back on the sugar and calories, or you just want to offer a healthier version at your next holiday party.

Selecting Your Alcohol

When a lot of people think about sangria, they are likely to think about a cabernet or another reddish wine for making their fruity drink, but sangria can be made with nearly any alcohol. A good way to make sure that you’re making a healthier sangria is to use an alcohol that doesn’t have a lot of added sugar to it. This guarantees the sweetness is coming from the fruit that you add, and the natural sweetness of the alcohol. You can also use vodka, sparkling wine, and/or soda water with the wine to control the flavor and alcohol content.  

The Fruit You Choose

When you choose the fruit that you want to use, be sure that it’s a fresh organic fruit that you’ll be cutting up. This will make sure you have the tastiest, most nutritious fruit to go in your drink, and the result will be noticeable. The more the sweetness comes from the fruit, the better off your sangria will be. Certain fruits will pair better with specific wines, but it should be easy to find which ones go with each other. Once you know what you will be pairing, you will have an amazing drink that will make you the host of ages.

Try This Healthier Sangria Recipe

Here is a recipe that you can try at your next get together. Start prepping the fruit about five hours before you plan to serve it.

Ingredients you’ll need:

• Watermelon
• Two limes
• Strawberries
• Bottle of rose wine

1. Cut watermelon into small chunks or cubes and place onto wax paper.
2. Slice two limes into thin coins.
3. Cut two cups of strawberries into pieces.
4. Place all of the fruit into the freezer. 
5. Once frozen, place the fruit into a pitcher and pour one whole bottle of rose over the fruit and let it sit to chill for the remaining 4 hours.
6. Serve and enjoy your creation!