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!
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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?!
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! ;
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! 😉
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
Berry Cherry Kombucha Sangria
Ingredients
- 1 - 750 ml bottle red wine, shiraz
- 2 - 480 ml bottles kombucha drink, ginger berry
- 2 large lemons, squeezed to yield juice
- 2 cups fresh berries and cherries
Instructions
- In a large pitcher, add the wine, kombucha and lemon juice and stir until combined. Chill in the fridge. When ready to serve, add in the berries and cherries and pour into glasses with ice.
Notes
- For the berries, I used strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and golden berries, but you can use whatever fresh berries you like.
- Only add the berries and cherries to the sangria when ready to serve as they may get mushy. If you don't plan on serving the entire pitcher at once, just add the fruit to individual glasses before serving.
- 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.
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Disclaimer
Nutrition information is an estimate only and will vary depending on the substitutions made and the brands used.
Did you make this recipe or have any questions?
I love reading your comments and addressing your questions, so please leave your comments and ratings or questions below!
Billy says
Wow this looks delicious! Thank you so much for sharing. Love kombucha sangria.
Leanne says
I'm so happy you like it! Thanks for stopping by!
Lily {Gastro Senses} says
Such a great refreshing idea for the summer time. I will keep this recipe in mind for my summer parties. Hope the weather has been treating you nice already and it feels like vacation again!
Leanne says
Thanks Lily! Vacation was lovely but I'm still holding out for nice weather at home. Let me know what you think if you make this sangria!
heather (delicious not gorgeous) says
i love fruity drinks that are on the sweeter side, so this sounds perfect + refreshing!
Leanne says
Thanks Heather! It's refreshing but not too sweet! Hope you get to try it!
nathalie says
Such a great idea Leanne to make a sangria with kombucha! Cant't wait to be Friday to try this!
Leanne says
Thank you Nathalie! Cheers to Fridays!
Denise from Urb'n'Spice says
Having just returned from Spain, I was missing my daily round of Sangria when I came home. Your Berry Cherry Kombucha Sangria sounds amazing. I, too, do not care for fizzy drinks such as pop, but I like soda water, so I would certainly try your recipe using a Kombucha drink.
Leanne says
Thanks Denise! Spain must have been amazing! And a daily round of sangria sounds awesome! Cheers!
Neha says
Perfect recipe with cherries and all those beautiful berries to make this summer. Also addition of Kombucha is such a brilliant idea. Plus gorgeous clicks you snapped!
Leanne says
Aww! Thanks so much Neha! This drink will definitely be on repeat in our house this summer!
Ben Myhre says
Nice boozy drink AND it is good for your gut! I like IT!
Leanne says
Thanks Ben! It's a win-win!!
Lisa | Tiny Kitchen Capers says
This looks so fruity and refreshing!!
Leanne says
Thanks Lisa! It really is refreshing!
Elaine says
Adding kombucha to Sangria is nothing short of brilliant! Now we can have our favourite drink and get our daily probiotics at the same time. Loving all the colourful berries and cherries in this recipe! Sure hope you get some summer weather soon. Cheers, Leanne!
Leanne says
Thank you so much Elaine! I'm really enjoying the combo. The kombucha adds a nice twist to the sangria! 😉 I'm hopeful summer will arrive soon!
[email protected] says
I love making all things cherry for the short time they are in season! This looks amazing.
Leanne says
Thanks Patrick! Me too. You need to enjoy cherry season while you can!
Jessica says
This sounds absolutely delightful! AND perfect for the summer season! Loving this combination of flavours 🙂
Leanne says
Thanks Jessica! The berries certainly make it feel like a summertime drink!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
All those yummy berries Leanne! This sounds deliciously refreshing Leanne! Cheers!
Leanne says
Thanks Mary Ann! It's definitely refreshing!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
YUM! I love sangrias that are tart and spritzy but not overly sweet! And its color alone makes me happy! This recipe is a keeper!
Leanne says
Thanks Annie! It's certainly spritzy and not too sweet at all. Definitely my new go-to sangria recipe for sure.
Kim | The Baking ChocolaTess says
It sounds so delicious and refreshing for a hot summer night with my hunnie! 🙂 YUM!
Leanne says
Thanks Kim! That sounds like a great way to enjoy some of this sangria!
marcie says
This is such a smart sangria Leanne! I love that you added kombucha -- it must add such great flavor! Sangria is one of my favorite summer cocktails and I would love this!
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
I love the idea of adding kombucha to sangria! I'm addicted to the stuff (kombucha--NOT sangria) so know I'd love it! Your pics are so pretty too :). Glad you guys had a great vacation!
Leanne says
Haha! Thanks Kelsie! I'm glad you clarified 😉 Hope you get to try this!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
I love making sangria in the summer months and this one sounds fantastic! Hubby and I have been drinking kombucha like crazy lately and trying all sorts of brands and flavours - so tasty! Love that you used in here in a sangria...make it a little more healthy 😉 I can definitely see this working super well for backyard bbqs...speaking of which, we are having one this weekend (fingers crossed for nice weather) and this would be a delicious addition 🙂
Leanne says
Sangria is definitely a great summertime drink! I've been trying different brands and flavours of kombucha too lately. It's such a nice alternative to soda, and it totally works in this sangria! Hope your weekend BBQ worked out!