• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Homemade In The Kitchen

Small Batch Recipes and Recipes For Two

  • About
  • Recipes
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

May 9, 2016

Strawberry Vanilla Sangria

Jump to Recipe

Chill out this summer with this easy Strawberry Vanilla Sangria recipe made with white wine, fresh strawberries, and vanilla bean.


Strawberry Vanilla Sangria with white wine

Here we are, the second week in May, and I’m already thinking about summer – Memorial Day, picnics, burnt hot dogs. In fact, I can almost smell those grills fired up, which also happens to be one of my favorite smells. While you’re waiting for your hamburgers and hot dogs to cook, you want to relax with something cold and refreshing. Chances are you’re also simultaneously socializing with family and friends. What better way to chill than with a summer cocktail? Sangria is one of the easiest summer drinks you can make; throw everything in a pitcher and chill for several hours. The first time I had sangria was during a blogging retreat. I was nervous meeting other bloggers in person for the first time. However, as soon as I walked up to the house, my nervousness vanished as the hostess greeted me with a big smile and a big pitcher of sangria. I didn’t know what sangria was (I know, right?!), so I took a glass and sipped while meeting and greeting with the other guests.

I’ve made several sangria recipes last year with my watermelon blueberry sangria and red apple cider sangria. Next up is to capitalize on the fresh strawberry season with Strawberry Vanilla Sangria. There’s a little bit of cooking involved as you start out by making a strawberry vanilla syrup, but it’s only about 10 minutes of your time. The vanilla is a wonderful addition because it complements the strawberries well, adding another layer of flavor to the sangria.


Strawberry Vanilla Sangria with white wine

Once you understand the basics of sangria, you can make almost any flavor you’d like. First is the type of wine you’re going to use, whether it’s white, red, or pink. You want to make sure it’s relatively inexpensive and a little on the dry side as you’ll be adding sweetness in the recipe. Not too cheap that you won’t want to drink it, but not too expensive because we’re adding other ingredients to it. White wine felt appropriate for my Strawberry Vanilla Sangria, so I used Pinot Grigio as the base.

Second is deciding what kind of fruit you want to use. You need two types – one citrus and one non-citrus. I knew I wanted to make strawberry sangria for summer and paired it with lemon slices because I prefer lemons over oranges.


Strawberry Vanilla Sangria with white wine

Next is deciding how to sweeten the sangria. The main way is making a sugar syrup by boiling together equal parts water and sugar. I took this concept one step further and added Nielsen-Massey Vanilla to the sangria. Vanilla brings out the best of other flavors, so I knew it would be the perfect complement for the strawberries. I used a variety of Nielsen-Massey products including vanilla sugar, vanilla extract, and vanilla bean, but you can also use their vanilla bean paste.


Strawberry Vanilla Sangria with white wine

Lastly is deciding which second liquid to add with the wine. Most recipes call for a type of liquor to add with the wine, such as brandy or orange liqueur, but personally I don’t like my drinks super boozy, so I usually go for a non-alcoholic option. You can use orange juice, apple cider (like with my Red Apple Cider Sangria), another type of juice, lemon lime pop, or sparkling water. I used sparkling water because there’s already enough sweetness from the sugar syrup yet I wanted something bubbly.

For more information on Nielsen-Massey, check out their website and say hello on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Continue to Content
Strawberry Vanilla Sangria

Strawberry Vanilla Sangria

Yield: 6-8 drinks
Prep Time: 4 hours
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 cups sliced strawberries
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup Nielsen-Massey vanilla sugar
  • 1 Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon vanilla bean
  • 1 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey vanilla extract
  • 1 (750 ML) bottle Pinot Grigio
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • 2 cups sparkling water

Instructions

  1. In a large saucepan, whisk together 2 cups strawberries, water, and sugar. Make a slit to the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape the seeds into the pan then add the whole vanilla bean. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking often. Boil for 5 minutes or until the strawberries cook down and start to thicken. Remove from the heat and whisk in vanilla extract.
  2. Remove the vanilla bean pod and add to the bottom of a pitcher. Add the strawberry mixture to a blender and blend until smooth. Add to the pitcher. If desired, pour through a mesh strainer and discard any solids and seeds left behind.
  3. Stir in the remaining 1 cup strawberries, wine, and lemon to the pitcher. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, before serving. Right before serving, add the sparkling water.

Notes

b]Cocktail For Two:[/b] Although sangria is meant to be served during large gatherings, that doesn't mean you need to throw a party to enjoy it! Sangria lasts up to 4-5 days as long as you don't add the sparkling water, which means you can keep this in your fridge and enjoy a glass or two each night. If you don't think you'll drink that much, cut the recipe in half and use the rest of the wine for cooking, such as my [Brussels Sprouts and Goat Cheese Risotto recipe.

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know what you think! Rate the recipe above, leave a comment below, and/or share a photo on Instagram using #HITKrecipesAll recipes are tested in a U.S. kitchen with U.S. ingredients at normal elevation using a conventional gas oven. Results may vary.

© Carla Cardello

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Nielsen-Massey Vanillas. Thank you for supporting me and the companies I work with as sponsored posts help pay for the costs of running Chocolate Moosey, including website hosting and groceries for recipe development.

Filed Under: Drinks Tagged With: 4th of July/Picnic, lemon, seltzer/sparkling water, strawberry, summer, vanilla bean, wine

Did you make my recipe?

Please let me know by sharing a photo in my private Facebook group or uploading and tagging me on Instagram using #HITKrecipes (Note: If your Instagram account is private, I won't be able to see your photo)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Stephanie and Ross Tonini says

    May 11, 2016 at 2:48 PM

    This sangria just sound’s delish!

    Reply
    • Carla says

      May 11, 2016 at 2:55 PM

      Thanks!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Nice To Meet You!
I’m Carla, a 30-some childfree woman from Pittsburgh, PA learning how to adult alone. I'm sharing recipes for two and small batch recipes made from scratch because not everybody cooks for a crowd.

Learn more →
Subscribe
Disclosures and Disclaimers

Footer

Stay Updated

Subscribe to new recipes via email:

Other Sites By Carla

  • City Life Adventures
  • Carla Cardello

Latest Recipes

Small Lemon Cake with slice taken out

Small Lemon Cake Recipe

This Small Lemon Cake recipe is a 6 inch lemon cake for two from scratch then decorated with homemade lemon buttercream frosting. Yesterday I brought you my lemon buttercream frosting. Today ...

Read More

Blue bowl of Lemon Buttercream Frosting with lemon slices

Lemon Buttercream Frosting (Small Batch)

Need the best lemon frosting recipe for your small cake? This small batch Lemon Buttercream Frosting makes enough to frost a small cake or 6 cupcakes. Spring is finally in the air in ...

Read More

Baked Fish and Chips

Baked Fish And Chips

This Baked Fish And Chips recipe without beer is panko crusted cod and potato wedges made healthier by baking everything together as a sheet pan meal. Serve as a dinner for two for a fish fry at home ...

Read More

4 Inch Chocolate Cheesecake recipe

4 Inch Chocolate Cheesecake

Looking to bake cheesecake for two? This 4 Inch Chocolate Cheesecake recipe makes two mini chocolate cheesecakes in springform pans. Garnish with chocolate ganache and cherry pie filling. Last ...

Read More

4 Inch Cheesecake Recipe

4 Inch Cheesecake Recipe

Looking to bake cheesecake for two? This 4 Inch Cheesecake recipe makes two mini cheesecakes in springform pans. Garnish with cherry pie filling, strawberry sauce, and more! With Valentine's ...

Read More

Lasagna For Two

Lasagna For Two

Love lasagna but hate leftovers? Lasagna For Two baked in a loaf pan is a small baked pasta dish that makes only 4 slices. Made with a beef and ricotta cheese filling. Back in 2015, I posted my ...

Read More

Red Velvet Cupcakes (Small Batch)

Small Batch Red Velvet Cupcakes

Small Batch Red Velvet Cupcakes with cream cheese frosting are moist and delicious homemade cupcakes from scratch without a cake mix. Recipe makes 6 cupcakes. I’m backkkkk! Did you miss ...

Read More

6 Inch Gingerbread Cake

6 Inch Gingerbread Cake

This small 6 Inch Gingerbread Cake recipe made from scratch without cake mix is a moist and fluffy cake that tastes like Christmas in every bite. Despite being under a stay at home advisory in ...

Read More

Easy Mini Cheesecake Recipes

Easy Mini Cheesecake Recipes (Small Batch)

Dessert for two ideas for easy Mini Cheesecake Recipes made in a muffin pan. Small batch recipes make 6 mini cheesecakes. Once upon a time I used to be known as the Cheesecake Queen among my ...

Read More

Copyright © 2007–2021 · Chocolate Moosey LLC
All Rights Reserved. All images are registered with the United States Copyright Office.
Please do not use images without permission. To republish a recipe, please link back to the post.
Privacy Policy

Footer

Stay Updated

Subscribe to new recipes via email:

Other Sites By Carla

  • City Life Adventures
  • Carla Cardello

Latest Recipes

Small Lemon Cake with slice taken out

Small Lemon Cake Recipe

This Small Lemon Cake recipe is a 6 inch lemon cake for two from scratch then decorated with homemade lemon buttercream frosting. Yesterday I brought you my lemon buttercream frosting. Today ...

Read More

Blue bowl of Lemon Buttercream Frosting with lemon slices

Lemon Buttercream Frosting (Small Batch)

Need the best lemon frosting recipe for your small cake? This small batch Lemon Buttercream Frosting makes enough to frost a small cake or 6 cupcakes. Spring is finally in the air in ...

Read More

Baked Fish and Chips

Baked Fish And Chips

This Baked Fish And Chips recipe without beer is panko crusted cod and potato wedges made healthier by baking everything together as a sheet pan meal. Serve as a dinner for two for a fish fry at home ...

Read More

4 Inch Chocolate Cheesecake recipe

4 Inch Chocolate Cheesecake

Looking to bake cheesecake for two? This 4 Inch Chocolate Cheesecake recipe makes two mini chocolate cheesecakes in springform pans. Garnish with chocolate ganache and cherry pie filling. Last ...

Read More

4 Inch Cheesecake Recipe

4 Inch Cheesecake Recipe

Looking to bake cheesecake for two? This 4 Inch Cheesecake recipe makes two mini cheesecakes in springform pans. Garnish with cherry pie filling, strawberry sauce, and more! With Valentine's ...

Read More

Lasagna For Two

Lasagna For Two

Love lasagna but hate leftovers? Lasagna For Two baked in a loaf pan is a small baked pasta dish that makes only 4 slices. Made with a beef and ricotta cheese filling. Back in 2015, I posted my ...

Read More

Red Velvet Cupcakes (Small Batch)

Small Batch Red Velvet Cupcakes

Small Batch Red Velvet Cupcakes with cream cheese frosting are moist and delicious homemade cupcakes from scratch without a cake mix. Recipe makes 6 cupcakes. I’m backkkkk! Did you miss ...

Read More

6 Inch Gingerbread Cake

6 Inch Gingerbread Cake

This small 6 Inch Gingerbread Cake recipe made from scratch without cake mix is a moist and fluffy cake that tastes like Christmas in every bite. Despite being under a stay at home advisory in ...

Read More

Easy Mini Cheesecake Recipes

Easy Mini Cheesecake Recipes (Small Batch)

Dessert for two ideas for easy Mini Cheesecake Recipes made in a muffin pan. Small batch recipes make 6 mini cheesecakes. Once upon a time I used to be known as the Cheesecake Queen among my ...

Read More

Copyright © 2007–2021 · Chocolate Moosey LLC
All Rights Reserved. All images are registered with the United States Copyright Office.
Please do not use images without permission. To republish a recipe, please link back to the post.
Privacy Policy