What’s the best substitute for brandy in sangria? This is a commonly asked questioned among those looking to enjoy the refreshing beverage in a new way.
While sangria can still be thoroughly enjoyed without any added liquor, many sangrias feature a little extra booze to add some kick to the drink.
In this article, we’ve listed some of the best substitutes for brandy in sangria that are sure to spice up the popular sweet-tart wine and fruit beverage.
List of All Brandy Substitutes in Sangria Recipes
- Whiskey
- Rum
- Triple Sec
- Sparkling Juice
- Alcohol-Free Wine
- Soda
Substitutes for Brandy in Sangria
Alcoholic Substitutes
Sangria can be an alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage, making it able to be enjoyed by everyone. If you’re not a fan of brandies like Hennessy VSOP or Metaxa 12 then you’re probably on the lookout for some alternatives. Below, we’ve gathered the best alcoholic substitutes for brandy to spice up your sangria.
Whiskey
One of the best substitutes for brandy in sangria is whiskey. Whiskey is similar to brandy in both flavor and alcohol content, making it a good match for taking its place in any sangria creation.
While whiskey may have a stronger alcohol flavor than brandy, it will still add a bold flavor to the mix that adds to the sangria’s overall taste.
In order to substitute whiskey for brandy in your sangria recipe, we recommended the Johnnie Walker Red Label whiskey, as it offers a surprising amount of depth at an affordable cost.
Rum
Rum is a popular choice as a substitute for brandy in sangria, as it creates a well-balanced drink that sweetens the overall flavor.
The fruit that you choose to feature in the popular wine drink typically absorbs most of the rum, allowing the two to combine well together for a complex, refreshing drink.
For best results, we recommended adding Blue Curaçao rum to the mix, as it makes for a citrusy addition that’s both sweet and slightly bitter.
Triple Sec
What is Triple sec? It is a sweet, orange-flavored liqueur that adds a citrusy taste to any drink it’s mixed with. Triple sec is rarely consumed alone, as it’s typically mixed into popular drinks such as sangria or Margaritas.
Especially in sangria, triple sec pairs well with any apples, oranges, pineapples, or any other fruit mixed with the wine-based drink.
Non-Alcoholic Substitutes
Non-alcoholic sangria is a great drink option for looking to enjoy the refreshing drink without the booze. There are plenty of non-alcoholic substitutes for brandy in sangria that makes for the perfect summer mocktail.
Sparkling Juice
The first non-alcoholic option gives sangria a light and refreshing taste anyone is sure to love. Several types of sparkling juice can be added to sangria to enhance its citrus flavor, including white grape or grape, raspberry, pomegranate, and blueberry sparkling juice.
Sparkling juice not only adds a fresh and fruity flavor to sangria but also gives the mix some carbonation that makes for a bubbly result.
Alcohol-Free Wine
One of the main components of sangria is wine, but of course, it is alcoholic. Using an alcohol-free wine in your sangria is a great way to alter the flavor of sangria as little as possible with a non-alcoholic option.
Today, you can find non-alcoholic wine that tastes just like the real thing in red wine, rosé, white wine, and several more.
Soda
Soda such as club soda and ginger ale make a good low-calorie substitution for brandy or any other you add to sangria. For best results, it’s important to stay clear of dark sodas like Coke and Pepsi and lean towards the clear, caffeine-free sodas for your sangria.
Club soda is perfect to add when you have your desired flavor of sangria but still need fizz to top it off. If you like a sweeter sangria, opt for ginger ale, as the slightly sour, citrusy taste elevates the drink as a whole.
