Frozen Sangria
A frozen red sangria with Spanish red wine, brandy, orange juice and berries — balanced for Margaritaville frozen concoction makers.
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Illustrative photo: Nadin Sh / Pexels
All the flavor of a pitcher of sangria in slushie form. Sangria is traditionally made with Spanish red wine, fruit, a little sweetener and often brandy — all of which freeze beautifully.
Make the liquid base the night before and let the fruit soak in it; then it’s a one-step blend when guests arrive.
Frozen Sangria recipe
Ingredients (3 drinks)
- 8 oz fruity Spanish red wine (Garnacha or Tempranillo)
- 1½ oz brandy
- 2 oz orange juice
- 1½ oz simple syrup (paid link)
- ½ cup frozen mixed berries or peach slices
Plus: a full ice reservoir. Garnish: Orange wheel, berries. Glass: Wine glass.
Instructions
- Fill the ice reservoir.
- Add wine, brandy, orange juice, syrup and fruit to the jar.
- Run the cycle.
- Garnish with an orange wheel and a few berries.
How much to make in your machine
Every Margaritaville frozen concoction maker is designed around a particular volume of liquid — the shaver portions ice for it. The table scales this recipe to the margarita liquid volume printed in each model’s manual (Key West DM1000 / DM1946 3 × 12 oz drinks: 9.75 fl oz; Bahamas DM0500 / Fiji DM2000 3 × 12 oz drinks: 13 fl oz; Tahiti DM3000 per 24 oz jar: 8.67 fl oz; Bali DM3500 half chamber: 11 fl oz; Bali DM3500 full chamber: 22 fl oz). Amounts are rounded to the nearest ¼ or ⅓ oz.
| Ingredient | Key West DM1000 / DM19463 × 12 oz drinks | Bahamas DM0500 / Fiji DM20003 × 12 oz drinks | Tahiti DM3000per 24 oz jar | Bali DM3500half chamber | Bali DM3500full chamber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| fruity Spanish red wine (Garnacha or Tempranillo) | 6 oz | 8 oz | 5⅓ oz | 6¾ oz | 13½ oz |
| brandy | 1 oz | 1½ oz | 1 oz | 1¼ oz | 2½ oz |
| orange juice | 1½ oz | 2 oz | 1⅓ oz | 1⅔ oz | 3⅓ oz |
| simple syrup | 1 oz | 1½ oz | 1 oz | 1¼ oz | 2½ oz |
| frozen mixed berries or peach slices | ⅓ cup | ½ cup | ⅓ cup | ½ cup | ¾ cup |
Scaling is our calculation, not a manufacturer recipe. Fruit- and ice-cream-heavy drinks vary more; adjust with the Shave Only / Blend Only controls. The Key West DM1900 isn’t listed because we haven’t verified its manual yet.
Machine notes for this drink
- This recipe includes fruit. On the Fiji, Tahiti and Bali, choose the Daiquiris (or Smoothies) program so the cycle blends longer; on the Bahamas and Key West, hold Blend Only for a few extra seconds after the automatic cycle if you see chunks. Fruit adds volume, so keep an eye on the jar’s maximum line.
- This batch uses about 13 fl oz of liquid for 3 drinks. If your drink comes out watery, the manuals’ first fix is to follow the recipe volumes or manually shave more ice; if it’s too stiff, add liquid and Blend Only.
Why this recipe works
Brandy adds backbone that keeps the drink from tasting like frozen juice, while orange and berries supply the classic sangria fruit character.
About frosé & frozen wine
Wine-based frozen drinks need more wine by volume than spirit drinks need liquor, because wine is only about 11–14% alcohol. Choose bold, fruity, low-oak wines — freezing mutes aroma and exaggerates bitterness.
Tips for the best texture
- Soak the fruit in the wine and brandy for a few hours in the fridge for deeper flavor.
- Avoid heavily oaked reds — oak tastes harsh when frozen.
- A cinnamon stick in the soaking wine adds warmth.
- Keep extra frozen fruit for garnish.
- Never put anything but ice in the ice reservoir, and don’t fill the jar past its maximum line — both are warnings in every manual.
- Too thin? Hold the toggle in Shave Only for a few seconds, then Blend Only to mix it in. Too thick? Add an ounce of liquid and Blend Only.
Serving & make-ahead
Garnish with orange wheel, berries and serve in a wine glass. Wine slushes melt faster than spirit-based ones, so pour into chilled stemless glasses and serve right away. Keep the wine in the fridge until the last minute. Leftover frosé or sangria slush can go in a covered container in the freezer for a day; give it a stir or a short Blend Only before serving.
Variations
- White sangria: Use Albariño or Pinot Grigio with peaches and green apple.
- Sparkling top: Top each glass with a splash of club soda.
- Citrus: Replace brandy with orange liqueur.
Mocktail swap
Use 8 oz pomegranate or grape juice and 1½ oz extra orange juice instead of wine and brandy.
Shop the ingredients
- Monin Pure Cane Syrup (simple syrup), 750 ml (paid link)
We link to mixers, syrups and juices only — alcohol isn’t sold through these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequently asked questions
What wine is best?
Inexpensive, fruity, low-tannin reds like Garnacha or Tempranillo.
Can I make it ahead?
Mix and chill the base up to a day ahead; blend right before serving.
Is it strong?
Moderate — about 1½ oz brandy and 8 oz wine across three drinks.
How much ice should I put in the machine?
Fill the ice reservoir with ice cubes — the machine shaves the amount it needs for the cycle (dial models size it to the 1, 2 or 3-drink setting). The manuals recommend ice that has been out of the freezer for 10–15 minutes.
Will this work in a regular blender?
Yes — add about 1½–2 cups of ice per 12 oz drink and blend until smooth. The texture will be coarser than shaved ice.
Please drink responsibly. Alcoholic recipes are for adults of legal drinking age (21+ in the US). Never drink and drive.
