It's officially fruity drink season and your summer entertaining menu needs this Berry Cherry Kombucha Sangria! It's tart and spritzy, but not overly sweet, so it's a refreshing way to kick back, relax and enjoy a warm summer day!

Up-close view of Berry Cherry Kombucha Sangria in cocktail glasses on a white, wooden surface..

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Am I painting a lovely picture? I'm trying to, because I'm just back from a week's vacation in Florida where husband and I enjoyed warm weather and sunshine everyday. And now we've returned home to rain, fog and cold temperatures.

So to cope with my post-vacation blues, I'm mixing up another pitcher of this sangria and pretending I'm still at the beach! Are you with me?!

Overhead view of cherries and berries in a black bowl on a white, wooden surface.

To be honest, when I have a beverage, I usually go for a beer or white wine. I don't usually go for sugary drinks, highballs, or red wine. But during the summer, I love indulging in some sangria. You only need a few ingredients and a pitcher of it goes a long way, making it great for entertaining.

The only problem with my go-to sangria recipe is that it's loaded with sugary lemonade. So in an effort to cut back on processed sugar, I started making this Berry Cherry Kombucha Sangria. It's not quite as sweet, but still only requires a few ingredients:

Red wine
Fresh lemon juice
Lots of fresh berries and cherries
Kombucha

What is Kombucha?

Kombucha is a fizzy, fermented drink made from sweetened tea and a mixed culture of bacteria and yeasts, which is considered a good source of probiotics (source: Clean Eating Magazine). I'm not a soda drinker, so when I've craving a spritzy beverage, I usually go for kombucha. You can buy it at health food stores or at most grocery stores. It comes in a range of flavours and usually has lower calories than soda.

So when it came to ingredients for a sangria, kombucha immediately came to mind. The fizzy, tart taste of the kombucha pairs well with the red wine and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Of course, the excessive amount of fresh berries and cherries adds some sweetness, and makes for a little snack on the side too! ;

Frozen berries and cherries in a black bowl on a white, wooden surface.

Tips for making Berry Cherry Kombucha Sangria

I'm not much of a red wine drinker, but my favourite wine to use for sangria is a shiraz as it's more sweet than dry. But you can use whatever type of red wine you like best.
I used ginger berry flavoured kombucha in this recipe, but other berry flavours would work well too. (I also tried grape and it was tasty, reminding me of the grape soda I would drink as a child).
When mixing the wine, lemon juice and kombucha together, do not mix too vigorously as the drink will get too fizzy and may bubble over.
Only add the fruit to the sangria when ready to serve. If you let the berries soak in the sangria too long they may get mushy, not to mention a little bit boozy! If you don't plan on serving the entire pitcher of sangria at once, just add the fruit to individual glasses before serving. Sometimes I even freeze the berries and cherries in advance and use them instead of ice.
And speaking of berries, I used strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and golden berries, but you can use whatever fresh berries you have on hand. Blueberries would also be delicious. And, of course, don't forget the fresh cherries! They're a must! 😉

Up-close side view of Berry Cherry Kombucha Sangria in cocktail glasses and a pitcher.

Whether you're entertaining this summer or just pretending your still on the beach (like me!), this Berry Cherry Kombucha Sangria is a must try! If you make it, I would love to know what you think in the comments below. You can also take a photo and share it on Instagram by tagging @crumbtopbaking.

📖 Recipe