Portuguese Sangria – Authentic Sangria From Portugal

A surprise to some people when they arrive in Portugal is just how prolific sangria is. But it’s no surprise to the people that live here though, Portugal is just as much a country of wine as Spain is. Although across the world sangria is often considered more of a Spanish drink and tied to Spanish cuisine. Sangria can actually be produced in both Spain and Portugal, and its still unknown as to which region can actually claim the invention of the drink.

Where is Sangria From?

The mixing of wine and fruit can be traced back to the Roman period.  As the Roman’s conquered. Grapes, vineyards and their drinking habits flourished.  Back then it was common to mix water, with alcohol (wine), and fruits and spices to flavour it. The alcohol removed bacteria from the water and made it safe to drink. It was called ‘hippocras’ and it can be seen as the ancestor to both sangria and the popular winter version mulled wine. It’s believed the Phoenicians brought the grapes to Iberia, and the Romans tended or expanded the vineyards. Unfortunately, for what is now modern day Portugal and Spain, the Moors would conquer the peninsular around 700ad. Bringing with them Islamic rules, and an aversion to alcohol. Wine would not make a comeback until around the 14th and 15th century.

Does Portuguese Sangria Differ from Spanish?

Well, quite understandably, both countries, and their inhabitants are fiercely proud of their own wine, wine regions and sangria. In fact, sangria is most often home or house made to a secret recipe. There isn’t one strict recipe that everyone follows other than the very basics: usually red wine, and fruit, and often a mixer of some sort. It’s safe to say that sangria will differ from bar to bar, let alone Portugal to Spain.

Sangria ingredients

What Wine is Used in Sangria in Portugal?

At its truest form Sangria should traditionally be made with a red wine, it’s where its name comes from after all. The Spanish sangría and Portuguese sangria both mean bloodletting, and come from the Latin word for blood sanguis. This doesn’t mean your sangria has to be blood red though. Portugal has a massive variety of high quality wines, head to any popular bar and you’ll usually see a branco (white) variety, rosé variety, and sometimes even a fizzy espumante variety. If you’re making yours at home don’t be afraid to try something new!

Sangria Sparkling

Portuguese Sangria Recipe

With us trying to shed some light on the Portuguese variety of sangria, we’ve decided to stick wholeheartedly to Portuguese ingredients and wine. Even the traditional liquor boost, is a combination of two Portuguese drinks; Licor Beirão, and Macieira, a brandy. If you don’t have these two to hand, then there are lots of other options including rum, gin, vermouth, cointreau and even a glass or two of port. Read on to find out how we make our very own sangria!

Ingredients (4 x 250ml servings):

  • ½ apple -thinly sliced
  • 1 small lemon – sliced
  • ½ orange – sliced
  • Fresh mint
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 3tbsp sugar
  • 30ml Licor Beirão
  • 60ml Macieira 
  • 1 bottle of dry red wine
  • 7up or Sumol
  • 2 cup ice cubes

Preparation

  1. Place the fruit in a glass jar (with the minimum capacity of 1,5L) add the sugar and a couple of mint leaves. Use a muddler or a wooden spoon to lightly pound the fruit in order to release some of its juice without breaking down the fruit too much.
  2. Add in the Licor Beirão, Macieira, red wine, and the cinnamon stick. Stir thoroughly to make sure the flavours combine. Pop the jar in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Add the ice and 7up to the sangria before serving, stirring well.
  4. Serve and garnish with more fresh mint and fruit.

A Portuguese Twist on Sangria?

If you hadn’t realised, sangria has no strict recipe format. Nearly every bar, café or restaurant will serve it slightly differently. If anything, other than an ice cold red wine drink, it can be sometimes hard to predict what you’ll get exactly. One particular bar in Tavira we visited leaned heavily towards the cinnamon and spices. While a bar in Luz spikes theirs with rosé port, and uses exclusively red berries for a very fruity and sweet experience. If in doubt, ask your bartender what they put in theirs before ordering!

Portuguese Sangria

For an equally refreshing drink, take a look at our recipe for Port and Tonic, its Portugal’s very own version of a classic gin and tonic! What are some of your favourite things to include in your homemade sangria? Let us know in the comments!

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Written by

Ana Veiga is the co-founder of We Travel Portugal. Ana’s a travel writer currently studying Language and Literature at the University of Lisbon. When not writing or studying she’s steadily on her way to visiting, photographing, and writing about every town and village in Portugal.

You can contact Ana by email, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

2 thoughts on “Portuguese Sangria – Authentic Sangria From Portugal”

  1. My family loves sangria so I’m always looking for new delicious recipes. This one did not disappoint! It was so delicious and brought back so many memories from my trips to Portugal. Thanks for this, its a keeper!

    Reply
  2. Ola,
    I lived in Lisbon 50 years ago for 3.1/2 years as a dancer in Teatro da Revista, Teatro Marie Victoria. I have fond memories of sangria plus the great variety of delicious Portuguese food. Muito obrigado for your recipes.

    Reply

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