My favorite thing about sangria, the Spanish punch, isn't actually the wine or spirits; it's the luscious assortment of fruit that gets ladled into each glass. I love how refreshing it is to sip, and munch, on a warm day, and I've often felt bad that my teetotaling partner hasn't been able to enjoy it. I developed this non-alcoholic version with him in mind, and discovered that I like it just as much as the real thing.
There are thousands of recipes for sangria, each using a different combination of wine and fruit, so I don't worry too much about whether this one is "authentic." For the fruit, I like to use the ample supply of citrus in my local markets and gardens – thin slices of oranges, lemons, limes – plus an apple for crunch. You could also try fresh fruits like strawberries, pineapple or grapes. When steeped for several hours, the fruits both flavor the drink and soak up the liquid, turning plump and juicy. They not only look pretty in the glass, but are a delight to eat.
The liquid is a combination of black tea and pomegranate juice, which approximate the sweetness, acidity, and tannins of red wine. It's a beautiful substitute both flavor and color-wise, although caffeine does of course have a more stimulating effect than wine. I also include a little fresh orange juice for sweetness and cinnamon sticks for subtle spice. Just before serving, the drink is lightly carbonated, and the result is a punch suitable for young and old, drinkers and non-drinkers, mealtimes and parties.
Non-Alcoholic Sangria
Serves 8
2 cups boiling water
2 black tea bags (or 2 teaspoons loose-leaf tea in an infuser)
2 cinnamon sticks
1/2 cup sugar
3 cups pomegranate juice
1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1 orange, sliced into thin rounds
1 lemon, sliced into thin rounds
1 lime, sliced into thin rounds
1 apple, cored and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
3 cups carbonated water
Pour boiling water over tea bags and cinnamon sticks and steep for 5 minutes. Discard tea bags and stir in sugar to dissolve.
In a large jar or pitcher, combine tea, cinnamon sticks, pomegranate juice, orange juice, orange, lemon, lime, and apple. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour and preferably overnight.
Just before serving, stir in carbonated water. Serve in glasses over ice.
Related: 15 Non-Alcoholic Drinks to Have With a Meal
(Images: Emily Ho)
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Comments (16)
Tea & pomegranate! Great idea. If you don't want caffeine you could sub and decaf tea I suppose. I wonder if grape would work instead of pomegranate? Newman's grape juice is very good.
This looks delicious. Can't wait to try.
I make these all the time. People love them. After all the sangria is gone, I add cold water and get more flavor from the fruit.
Where has this recipe been all my pregnancy? I am making a pitcher of this immediately!
This looks amazing! Am bookmarking this recipe. Many thanks!
I love this!! I am 7 months pregnant, the weather is getting warm and I WANT A COCKTAIL. This Sangria will more than satisfy my hankering for something fun and fruity in my cup. A hundred thank you!!
Thank you. I have played around for years with creating a non-alcoholic Sangria, but never thought of tea. And we drink a lot of teas. This goes on my high list, can serve to everyone including the youngest grand children.
Excited to try this—this may become my non-alcohol drinking husband's drink this summer.
Sangria is one of my favorite drink during Summer! I have tried another version in which you add maple syrup in it. It gives a sweet taste and it is delicious! (I actually got this idea from ROUGE maple, a cool web that offers various derived products made of maple syrup...and you can even adopt a maple tree!)
How long does this last in the fridge staying fresh
I made this and it is fabulous. I love sangria and have had all sorts of alcoholic versions, this recipe is my favorite. Its fruity, refreshing and not too sweet. Definitely a keeper of a recipe.
Such a pretty drink. Thanks for sharing!
I will definitely use this recipe at a "Meet the Doulas Night". :)
I'm going to try this in my up coming birth day
Always looking for more inventive & healthy choices for family getogethers that aren't sugary soft drinks! And most sangrias include orange juice to which my mother and I are allergic (just oranges -weird, I know), so suggestions: how about the Newmans' Concord w/ Peach juice for a little more sweetness + and brightness? Or Ruby Red grapefruit? And fresh peaches and strawberries for the orange slices? My mom and I tend to like tart, (and wine but this is for the whole fam!) We have our family reunion of sorts on my late granpa's b-day (7.14 - he was the great cook) and we always want fresh and healthy alternatives like he would have had (the alcohol hides in the outside fridge!)
I made this yesterday and we all LOVED it! The taste and the looks are awesome! So good that I made another pitcher today with the fruit left, I just added a fresh sliced peach.
Unfortunately the only pomegranate juice I found was nectar, not real juice, I used it anyway but reduced the sugar a bit. And the carbonated water we have is salty, I tried mixing it to a cup of fake-sangria for tasting before adding it to the whole pitcher, and it wasn't good. So we drank it plain and it was just perfect.
As I'm writing this, I realize that I've always heard people complaining about the saltiness of our carbonated water for making sangria (regular one, with good red wine), they use instead a neutral soda such as Spr*te or 7*p. I'll try using one of those next time!
I made this today to test it out before my fall party. I absolutely love it!! This is a great idea for those that don't want any alcohol. It's pretty and delicious. :-)