A rich, ruby-red sangria with depth, brightness, and a whisper of vanilla.
Quick Summary
If your ideal sangria leans deeper, richer, and a little moodier, Cheery Cherry Sangria is your pitcher. Cabernet Sauvignon forms a bold backbone, cherry liqueur adds sweetness and punch, bourbon brings warmth, and a touch of vanilla ties everything together. Fresh cherries and orange slices brighten the structure, while sparkling water adds lift just before serving. It’s fruity without being syrupy, elegant without being fussy, and perfect for long summer nights.
Why This Cheery Cherry Sangria Works
The combination of Cabernet Sauvignon and cherry liqueur might seem indulgent, but the balance is intentional. Cabernet offers tannin, dark fruit, and firm structure — exactly what cherry flavors need to stay vibrant instead of cloying. The tannins give the sangria grip, making it feel more like a proper cocktail and less like a fruit punch.
The bourbon is a quiet but essential character in the mix. Just a splash supplies warmth, caramel, and subtle spice, which deepen the cherry notes without shouting over them. Vanilla extract functions as the bridge: a soft accent that pulls the wine, fruit, and spirits into harmony. It enhances the cherry flavor without becoming dessert-like.
Fresh or frozen cherries infuse more quickly than most fruit, releasing vibrant color and rich, sweet-tart flavor. The amount of sweetness added is a direct component of how sweet your cherries are. Using bing cherries will make a far sweeter sangria than sour cherries! Orange slices brighten the entire pitcher, offering acidity and mellow bitterness that keep the cherry influence from overwhelming the palate.
Sparkling water is the final flourish — not for sweetness, but for texture. The bubbles lift the dark fruit and bring energy back to the glass. It’s the difference between “tasty sangria” and “I need to make a double batch next time.”
How the Flavor Evolves
This sangria changes dramatically as it rests. Cabernet softens slightly overnight, letting the cherry and orange do more of the talking, while the bourbon and vanilla settle into the background. The first glass immediately after mixing tastes stronger and more structured; by the next day, everything has fused into one seamless cherry-red pour.
The cherries themselves transform from garnish to infused fruit—juicy, wine-saturated, and intensely flavorful. They’re practically a second treat. As the oranges soak, their pith adds subtle bitterness, which prevents the mix from drifting too sweet. But this also means timing matters: taste your batch after 12–24 hours, and if the orange begins to dominate, remove the slices before storing longer.
The texture also evolves. Without carbonation, the drink feels richer and denser; after adding sparkling water, the aromatics open up again with the textured carbonation release in the sparkling water. Always add your bubbles at the moment of serving, never earlier.
What You’ll Need
Here’s your quick-reference prep list — no amounts, just ingredients to gather before diving into the recipe.
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Cherry liqueur
- Bourbon
- Simple syrup
- Vanilla extract
- Fresh or frozen cherries
- Orange slices
- Sparkling water
- Fresh mint (for garnish)
Tips & Tricks for a Better Red Sangria
A few thoughtful steps turn a simple red-wine cocktail into something polished and irresistable.
- Slice cherries if they’re large to expose more surface area and release more juice.
- Remove orange slices after the first day to avoid bitterness.
- Let the bourbon stay subtle: a heavy pour can overpower the wine.
- Taste after resting before you adjust sweetness or acidity.
Variations to Try
If you want to take this cherry base in new directions, these tweaks shift the sangria without breaking its spirit.
- Black Forest-style: Add a teaspoon of chocolate bitters or a few ounces of clear creme de cacao.
- Brighter citrus: Add a few lemon slices for extra acidity.
- Herbal version: Garnish with citrus thyme or rosemary for savory contrast.
- Less sweet: Reduce simple syrup or add a splash of extra dry Cabernet to tighten the profile.
- More spirit-forward: Increase bourbon by an ounce — just don’t overdo it.
Each version plays beautifully with the cherry foundation.
Other Sangrias to Try
Recommended Bar Tools
You don’t need every slick, beautiful bar tool out there, but there are several I’ll recommend. (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. However, that does not affect the cost of the items below.) My favorite pieces usually come from the Cocktail Kingdom section of Amazon:
You may already have these bar essentials, but just in case:
Cheery Cherry Sangria Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 bottle Cabernet Sauvignon
- ¼ cup cherry liqueur
- ¼ cup bourbon
- ¼ cup simple syrup
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh or frozen sweet cherries, pitted
- 1 orange, thinly sliced
- 1 bottle sparkling water
- Fresh mint for garnish
Instructions
- Add the Cabernet, cherry liqueur, bourbon, simple syrup, vanilla, cherries, and orange slices to a large pitcher.
- Stir gently and taste; adjust sweetness if needed.
- Cover and refrigerate 12–24 hours to allow the fruit and spirits to infuse.
- Remove the orange slices if storing longer than 24 hours.
- Just before serving, add sparkling water for lift and freshness.
- Serve in an ice-filled wine glass, spooning fruit into each glass.
- Garnish with a fresh mint sprig.
