Watermelon Strawberry Citrus Sangria

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There is a thing in the world… it’s called Really Bad Sangria. ย This is not that.

Really Bad Sangria is a mixture of ย cheap red wine (not cool, but not a crime), sliced oranges (fairly benign), and grapes (questionable, but tolerable). ย The combination of bad wine and boring fruit… that’s Really Bad Sangria.

Let’s talk about Really Good Sangria!

Really Good Sangria is pink. ย Really Good Sangria contains fruit that feels like a treat! ย See: watermelon and fresh strawberries. ย Really Good Sangria is layered with wine, and vodka, and lemon or orange liquor. ย Really Good Sangria is REALLY GOOD! ย This is that.

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It’s the weekend! ย Get at that melon!

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Dreamy dreams!

This sangria is a muddled mixture of the following radness:

– ย fresh strawberries ย – ย watermelon juice from fresh watermelon ย – ย great pink wine ย – ย vodka ย – ย limoncello (or cointreau) ย – ย fresh lime juice and slices ย – ย  and fresh orange juice and slices.

Let’s do it!

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Toss a few strawberries in the jar. ย What could go wrong?

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Mish-mash. ย Smish-smash.

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Pour in that pink wine. ย The whole bottle. ย Don’t you be shy.

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Pour in four cups of fresh watermelon strawberry juice.

This juice smells better than anything ever.

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Yea… we’re adding vodka.

We’re also adding a nice dose of limoncello (or cointreau). ย Whatever you have on hand.

As long as the mixture stays pink, you can toss it in. ย We’re vain about our sangria.

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After adding a splash of orange juice, lime juice and all sorts of sliced fruit, we’re allowed to call this giant jug sangria. ย It’s sweet and summery. ย It’s boozy and pink. ย What more do we need? ย (Don’t say chocolate… mostly because you’re right.)

Grab the ice and a big ol’ glass. ย We’re worth it.

Thank you to Jon for styling mo-jo, pouring skills, and being my partner in sangria consumption.

Watermelon Strawberry Citrus Sangriaย 

makes a big bunch

Print this Recipe!

4 cups watermelon juice, from one small watermelon

1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

1 bottle Rose wine, not too sweet is best

1 cup vodka

1 cup limoncello or Contreau

juice of 2 oranges

juice of 1 lime

1 orange sliced

1 lime sliced

Slice a watermelon into large chunks. ย Reserve a few smaller chunks for the sangria jar and for garnish. ย Blend watermelon chunks with a handful of sliced strawberries until smooth. ย Depending on the size of your blender, you may need to blend the fruit in two batches. ย Strain fruit juice through a fine mesh strainer and into a large measuring cup. ย You’ll need about 4 cups of watermelon/strawberry juice.

In a large container stir together, watermelon/strawberry juice, wine, vodka, limoncello, orange juice, and lime juice. ย Stir in the remaining sliced strawberries, a few watermelon chunks, sliced oranges, and sliced lime. ย Chill thoroughly before serving. ย Serve over ice. ย 

 

 

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115 Responses

  1. I make this every year for my annual Motherโ€™s Day brunch. I love this sangria and how itโ€™s not sweet, but has tons of flavor. Thank you for posting this and giving my family something to look forward to every year!

  2. Would this be good with peach flavored vodka?? I’m a sangria novice, and I happen to have peach vodka on hand. I’d hate to be the one who brings Bad Sangria to a cookout. :D Your thoughts?

  3. Joy, where did you get that GORGEOUS muddler?! I was just thinking yesterday (as I was staring at my mint plant) that I need a muddler for summer cocktails!

  4. This looks so yummy! I’m a sangria+ watermelon lover. This looks amazing. I will definitely try it.

  5. Forgot the strawberries but used a mango instead. And Grand Marnier. Pureed watermelon rather than just the juice, and used a couple drops of mint EO. Pure yum!

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  8. I made this for a Fourth of July party this weekend, and it was FABULOUS. Not too sweet–just super fruity and delicious, and the most gorgeous color! Thanks for a great summer drink recipe :)

  9. Does anyone know if limoncello spoils? I made this sangria last summer (huge hit with my friends!) and the same bottle of limoncello has been sitting in my freezer since. Is it still good to use, or should I spring for a new one?

  10. I loooove this sangria!! I wanted to ask where your masher is from…I absolutely love it! It looks like a super handy tool!

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  12. Hi Joy! I just made that picture of the watermelon hunk my desktop background, it’s so clean and refreshing looking. Have you ever made any of your photos available for wallpapers? If you’re taking requests, I’d love to decorate my electronics with your beautiful pictures. If I may be so bold as to further request something with rainbow sprinkles like that toast picture you have near your desk, that would brighten up my day :)

    hugzzzz,
    Liz

  13. Made this twice over the weekend. The watermelon juice makes this so delicious. This is a keeper for sure.

  14. My friend and I made this for our beach day yesterday. This sangria totally rocks! Such a great flavor combination!

  15. Made this and it was awesome!!! So easy to make and what a great sangria. I was worried it may be too sweet, but it was just perfect. What a great summer drink. I used a medium watermelon and had left over “juice” so I froze the leftover juice to make this again in a flash. I used homemade lemoncello.

  16. Love the watermelon addition to pink sangria! Just wondering, where did you get your wooden muddler? It’s delightful.
    Thanks! Aly

  17. Looks Fabulous… We Have Been On A Sangria Kick Lately And This Will Be Great To Add To The List :)
    Where Did You Get Your Muddler?
    Also, Apologies For The Weird Caps. On My Husband’s Phone.
    Thanks! -Aly

  18. Great idea for juice. It was in July and August Arbus and other berries our body really wants. Thanks for the idea! However, never tried to push the watermelon juice.

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  20. Drinking this as I type – it is AMAZING! Love you Joy and loved meeting you when you were in Boston last winter. Can’t wait for your next book!

  21. And this must be why I have disliked sangria, because it has been done improperly. I tried some this summer (vowing to give anything at least a second shot), and it wasn’t too bad. It put me on a quest to find the perfect sangria recipe.

    Well Joy, I’m a thinking your recipe is it!

    1. I don’t really have a go-to brand, but I would recommend a rose wine that’s not too sweet. Depending on where you purchase your wine, the sales person might be able to help navigate you to a good choice. I know both Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s have really knowledgeable clerks. I hope this helps!

  22. Ugh I won’t say really bad sangria is the worst, but is definitely disappointing. This looks perfect, I love the watermelon juice. Yumm

  23. Top-Notch Sangria for sures…but these pics are some oil-painting-worthy, still life gorgeous!! Yum and Yum!!(:

  24. Love this post!! And beautiful photos! My husband isn’t a drinker, but sometimes I can convince him to sip something fruity. Can’t wait to try this before the summer is gone!

  25. Great!!!! I am fron Spain, Sangria comes from Spain & Portugal. I love Sangria and I love yours!!!!

  26. Sangria is one of my favourite drinks and you are so right, it has to be done properly! This version looks amazing. Perfect for warm summer evenings. :)

  27. Oh I would love this. Me and this, would be BFFs :) I know it’s probably not technically sangria is I swapped the rose wine for rose champagne but that sounds good to me, too. But exactly as you have it, watermelon, strawberries, oranges, Contreau, yes please!

  28. I love a Really Good Sangria, and this one sounds fantastic! I don’t typically associate watermelon with sangria, but I definitely want to try this.

  29. I’m always on the quest for good sangria. This sounds DELICIOUS and not just cause I’ve been drinking my own for hours tonight. Watermelon= awesome.

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