This Margarita Sangria recipe is right up my alley and you'll love it too! Sometimes you can't decide if you want that tequila cocktail or white wine. But with this wine cocktail, you can have them both!
With fresh citrus flavors, sauvignon blanc and your favorite tequila, you'll want to share this pitcher cocktail with friends. Immediately. Scroll down for step-by-step instructions.!
Why this recipe works
I love tequila cocktails, but I also love sauvignon blanc. Sometimes I can't decide which I like more. On hot days, when you want something that feels like a cocktail but still has that tang of your favorite white wine, this sangria recipe is for you!
In about 10 minutes, you'll be done with prep and ready to place the pitcher in the fridge to chill and allow the flavors to marry.
With fresh lime, lemon and orange juices, the flavors are bright, refreshing and citrus-forward. The crisp wine notes come through also and you get the delicious tequila taste as well. It's the perfect cocktail.
It's super easy to make this sangria with tequila and can (and should) be made ahead of time! Whether you're making it for yourself or inviting friends over, this cocktail recipe is a great one.
It's pairs well with any Mexican-inspired party, like a Chicks and Salsa Night In, and should be made for every summer barbecue.
Also check out my Pear Sangria, Iced Tea Sangria, Hibiscus Sangria and Apple Spice Sangria (this one has red wine).
Ingredient Notes
Like a traditional margarita, this recipe calls for fresh citrus (I used lime, lemon and orange) and orange liqueur. I used Cointreau because that is what I had but you can use Triple Sec if that's all you have at home.
I love to use sauvignon blanc in my wine cocktail recipes. It's a versatile white wine that is tangy, usually has notes of citrus and can be on the drier side so it pairs really well with the rest of these ingredients.
You could use a Reisling or another type of white wine if you prefer it. I would stay away from Chardonnay, though, on account of the gross oakiness (Sorry, Chardonnay, I'm not a fan).
As for the tequila, use your favorite type. I used Los Sundays in this batch and while I usually like it in a Tequila and Soda, I didn't love how it played with the citrus.
I think Casamigos would be really nice in this with the slight vanilla note it has. But, again, use what you like. Reposado would be fine also, but I typically stick to Blanco tequila in my recipes.
You can also add some cilantro to the pitcher if you want to give it even more flavor! I only use it as a garnish because half the people I know do not like the flavor of it. (Weirdos).
How to Make Margarita Sangria
In a large pitcher, add the sliced citrus. (Add the cilantro if using).
Add a bottle of sauvignon blanc.
Add the tequila and Cointreau.
Add the fresh orange, lime and lemon juices.
Stir to combine. Then place in the fridge to chill for at least 2 hours.
If desired, salt the rim of the cocktail glasses before serving the Margarita Sangria.
Just rub a piece of fresh lime on the rim and then dip it into the margarita salt. This is totally optional and personal preference. I don't enjoy a salted rim.
Serve the Margarita Sangria over fresh ice in a short cocktail glass. I don't love the look of traditional margarita glasses but I have these cool thick-stemmed margarita glasses on the way to the house right now!
And garnish with fresh cilantro if you aren't morally opposed. You could also just use a lime wheel or wedge if cilantro grosses you out.
Tips and Tricks
- While I love a margarita with all three citrus juices, you can just use lime juice if you prefer. This will give it more of a legit margarita flavor.
- Want to stretch out this drink between more people? Add about an ounce of club soda to each glass when serving! The fizz will keep it super refreshing and it will still have all that delicious flavor.
- To make this recipe super easy you can use store-bought lemonade. It will change the flavor slightly and make it sweeter, but it is easier than juicing all that juice! (Although, fresh citrus juice is always worth it in my opinion - this is my go-to squeezer for cocktails).
- Clapping the cilantro between your palms before using really releases the fragrance!
Fequently Asked Questions
No. There are tons of margarita recipes out there and some don't call for Triple Sec or orange liqueur. It adds a bit of sweetness and a hint of orange flavor, but you can totally make do without it.
I would say yes. A Sangria Margarita would be made similar to one margarita. So you can use wine in a traditional margarita recipe. But to truly make it sangria, the wine should be infused with fruit flavors before being added. Or you could make do with a store-bought sangria.
If you don't like tequila, you can use vodka instead. A Vodka Margarita is tasty and still gives you the citrus flavors you love.
While you want to let the sangria sit to get all the flavors to play together, leaving it too long isn't optimal. I would say you could make this drink recipe and leave it to sit overnight for serving the next afternoon. I would drink it and if there is any leftover after your happy hour, I would pour it out. It might last longer, but in my opinion, the flavor and freshness will start to suffer.
Related Recipes
Or browse my cocktail collections: Moscow Mule Variations, Wine Cocktails, Fireball Cocktails, Cocktails with Bitters, and Cocktails Made with Coke.
Margarita Sangria Recipe
Ingredients
- 750 ml Sauvignon Blanc (or other dry white wine)
- 1 cup tequila blanco (I like the vanilla undertones of Casamigos)
- 1 cup Cointreau
- 1 ½ cups orange juice
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- ½ cup lime juice
- 1 lime sliced
- 1 lemon sliced
- Cilantro to garnish
- Salt to rim glasses
Instructions
- In a large glass pitcher add sliced lemons and limes (and cilantro, if adding).
- Add the white wine, tequila, Cointreau and fresh lime, orange and lemon juices. Stir to combine.
- Place in fridge to chill for at least 2 hours.
- Salt the rim of the cocktail glasses before serving if desired. (Use a piece of fresh lime and rub it on the glass rim, dip into margarita salt).
- Serve over ice in a short cocktail or margarita glass.
- Garnish with a sprig of fresh cilantro, if desired.
Notes
- While I love a margarita with all three citrus juices, you can just use lime juice if you prefer. This will give it more of a legit margarita flavor.
- Want to stretch out this drink between more people? Add about an ounce of club soda to each glass when serving! The fizz will keep it super refreshing and it will still have all that delicious flavor.
- To make this recipe super easy you can use store-bought lemonade. It will change the flavor slightly and make it sweeter, but it is easier than juicing all that juice! (Although, fresh citrus juice is always worth it in my opinion).
- Clapping the cilantro between your palms before using really releases the fragrance!
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