Brunch Sangria

Looking for an easy brunch cocktail that isn’t a mimosa? This Chardonnay brunch sangria is a refreshing, make-ahead option made with white wine, orange juice, grapes, and fresh pear. It’s simple enough for a weekend brunch but pretty enough for a holiday gathering.

I love seasonal eating, but I’m also into seasonal drinking! Besides learning more about sustainable alcohol brands, I’m also into using in season fruits (and veggies if you’re creative) in drinks to enjoy. This brunch sangria can be altered with fruit by season, but grapes, apples, and pears are especially delicious in the fall!

Can I tell you a secret? I don’t like mimosas. It’s nothing against mimosas themselves. I’m just not a champagne person. If you add that fact to my not being a podcast listener, I’m pretty much disgracing my generation (whichever one it is).

You know what I do love though? Wine! So I took the idea of a brunch mimosa and swapped out bubbles for a Chardonnay.

A Brunch Cocktail That’s Not a Mimosa

If you love the idea of a brunch cocktail but aren’t a big mimosa person, like me, this Chardonnay sangria is a fun alternative. It has the bright citrus flavor you expect from a brunch drink, but the white wine and fresh fruit make it feel a little more substantial than a traditional mimosa.

It’s also an easy brunch cocktail to make for a group. Everything goes into one pitcher, and the sangria can chill in the refrigerator while you finish getting brunch on the table. No shaking individual cocktails or opening a bottle of sparkling wine for every round.

Brunch Sangria

This brunch sangria is essentially a wine-and-orange-juice cocktail with fresh fruit mixed in, giving it that familiar brunch flavor with a little more personality.

Since this felt more like a sangria, I wanted to add fresh fruit. The sliced anjou pear and halved grapes give me that fall feel without the typical fall spices (found and lovely in my winter sangria). And, yes, to answer your question, I have sangria recipes for nearly every occasion!

Ok. but back to this one… I think the skin of the anjous looks stunning mixed in with the orange drink. Of course any pear would do – heck you could even do apple slices, but if you want to go all out with the color contrast, find an anjou!

And if you’re looking for more of a summer recipe, try fresh peach or apricot slices in this recipe!

For more of a traditional sangria situation in summer…I already have a berry sangria, a ginger and strawberry sangria, and a watermelon sangria, so you don’t even have to experiment on your own.

Why You’ll Love This Brunch Cocktail

A lot of cocktail recipes are complicated and require special ingredients – this brunch cocktail doesn’t! It’s easy to make with a few common ingredients and you can easily make it ahead of time (it’s actually better that way) to save you stress when you’re entertaining!

I also love that this recipe makes 6 servings, so you don’t have to fuss with individual cocktails when you’re hosting. It’s similar enough to a mimosa to feel familiar, but the Chardonnay and fresh fruit make it feel a little more special. And because you can switch up the fruit with the seasons, it’s easy to make your own. Get ready for people to ogle and ask for the recipe, though.

Brunch Sangria Ingredients

Chardonnay

The base of this brunch cocktail is Chardonnay wine. I used a dry Chardonnay, and I loved how the wine’s buttery, oaky flavor balanced the sweetness of the orange juice. I will note that I don’t usually like Chardonnay’s oaky flavor, so if you’re worried about that, don’t be!

Orange Juice

A classic morning juice, orange juice is what holds this drink together. It’s tart, sweet, and familiar.

Fresh Fruit

The recipe below calls for apple or pear slices and halved grapes. These are perfect for fall. Any fresh seasonal fruit would be delicious in this drink.

How to Make Brunch Sangria

Combine wine, juice, and fruit

Combine the Chardonnay, orange juice, grapes, and sliced pear or apple in a large pitcher. Stir gently to combine.

Chill the Sangria

Refrigerate the sangria for at least two hours. This gives the wine and orange juice time to meld together while letting the fruit soak up some of those flavors.

Serve

Stir again before serving. We usually serve this without ice, but ice is a welcome addition if you’re making this brunch cocktail during warmer months.

What Wine Is Best for Brunch Sangria?

I recommend a dry Chardonnay for this brunch sangria. I’m not usually a big Chardonnay fan, but I love how the dry, buttery flavor balances the sweetness of the orange juice. Sauvignon Blanc is another good option if you prefer something lighter and crisper.

For a sweeter sangria, try Moscato. And if you want some bubbles, sparkling white wine works, too.

Can I Make This Brunch Sangria Ahead?

Yes. This recipe is a great make-ahead brunch cocktail. The sangria should chill for at least two hours, but it can be made up to 6 hours ahead of time with no problems.

The sangria is still delicious after that, but the fruit will start to break down.

FAQs

What is a good brunch cocktail besides a mimosa?

This Chardonnay sangria is a great brunch cocktail alternative to a mimosa. It’s made with Chardonnay rather than champagne and includes fresh fruit for extra flavor.

Can I make brunch sangria ahead of time?

Yes. This brunch sangria should chill for at least two hours before serving, and you can make it up to 6 hours ahead. After that, the fruit will begin to soften and break down.

What white wine is best for brunch sangria?

I recommend Chardonnay for this brunch sangria. Sauvignon Blanc is a fine alternative. For a sweeter drink, try Moscato. And, of course, you can use sparkling white wine.

Can I use different fruit in this brunch sangria?

Yes. Fresh, seasonal fruit is best. For fall, try apples, pears, and grapes. In winter, persimmon slices, citrus slices, or pomegranate arils would be great. In spring, try fresh berries. And in summer, stone fruits like peaches, apricots, and nectarines are ideal.

How many people does this brunch cocktail serve?

Six. You can easily double or triple the recipe to serve a larger party.

What to Serve with Brunch Sangria

This brunch cocktail pairs especially well with savory brunch dishes, fresh fruit, pastries, and lighter breakfast recipes. It’s also an easy drink to serve alongside a brunch spread because you can prepare the pitcher before guests arrive.

A few favorite brunch recipes in our house are egg soufflés, salmon and egg frittata, and a breakfast charcuterie board!