Beer Sangria swaps the red wine in a classic sangria for a wheat beer or lager, keeping the chopped fruit, orange juice and triple sec that make the original work as a pitcher drink.
Letting the fruit macerate in the orange juice and triple sec for at least an hour before adding the beer is what gives this its depth; skip that step and it just tastes like beer with fruit floating in it. Add the beer last and pour gently to keep some fizz in the finished pitcher.
It is a make-ahead cocktail by design. Prep everything but the beer a few hours before a party, then top it off right as guests arrive.
| Style | Beer and fruit sangria |
| Base beer | Wheat beer or lager, 2x 12oz bottles |
| Serves | 6 (scales easily) |
| Serve | Over ice in wine glasses or tumblers |
How to Make It
Beer Sangria (Cerveza Sangria)
Ingredients
- 24 oz wheat beer or lager two 12oz bottles, well chilled
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1/2 cup triple sec
- 1 orange sliced into wedges
- 1 lime sliced into wedges
- 1 apple cored and chopped
Instructions
- Add the sliced orange, lime and chopped apple to a large pitcher.
- Pour in the orange juice and triple sec and stir, then let the fruit macerate in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
- Right before serving, pour in the beer and stir gently.
- Serve over ice in wine glasses or tumblers, spooning a little fruit into each glass.
Want more beer picks for the summer? Check our best fruit beers, best wheat beers for summer, best summer beers for hot weather guides.
Beers Worth Trying in This One
Gear That Helps
Making a batch for a crowd? A beverage dispenser from our shop keeps a pre-mixed pitcher cold and ready to pour.
FAQ
Why let the fruit sit before adding beer?
Macerating the fruit in the orange juice and triple sec for an hour or more lets it soften and release flavor into the liquid, which is what gives Beer Sangria its depth instead of tasting like beer with garnish floating in it.
What beer works best?
A wheat beer or light lager. Avoid anything too hoppy or dark, since it will clash with the citrus and triple sec rather than complementing it.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes, prep everything except the beer up to a day ahead and keep it chilled, then stir in the beer right before serving so it stays fizzy.
More beer cocktails: see the full Beer Cocktails guide for every recipe in this collection.
Looking for more beer cocktails to serve a crowd? Check our 15 best beer cocktail recipes or try a beer spritz, the Aperol-style spritz rebuilt with beer.
