Valentine’s Day deserves more than just chocolates and clichés, and this Glittering Valentine’s Sangria is here to bring the sparkle—literally.
This sangria is a swoon-worthy mix of red wine, orange liqueur, and fizzy soda topped with heart-shaped fruit slices and an edible glitter finish. It’s romantic, fun, and perfect for every occasion where love (or a love for cocktails) is the theme.
Whether it’s a cozy date night, a glamorous Galentine’s party, or even a festive baby shower, this sangria is a guaranteed showstopper.
It’s easy to make, tastes amazing, and let’s be honest—who doesn’t love a drink that sparkles?
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 bottle of red wine (750ml, medium-bodied like Merlot or Garnacha)
- 1/4 cup orange liqueur (like Cointreau or Triple Sec)
- 1 cup sparkling soda (lemon-lime soda or club soda, depending on your sweetness preference)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (optional, for sweetness)
- 1 orange (sliced into thin rounds)
- 1 apple (cored and cut into heart-shaped slices)
- 1 cup strawberries (sliced into hearts)
- Edible glitter (food-safe and drink-safe glitter in your favorite Valentine’s color)
Let’s Break Down the Ingredients
Red Wine: The foundation of our sangria! Go for a medium-bodied red wine with fruity notes. Merlot, Garnacha, or even a Malbec can do the trick. Don’t break the bank—a mid-range bottle will work just fine since we’re adding a symphony of other flavors.
Orange Liqueur: A splash of orange liqueur like Cointreau adds a citrusy zing that lifts the wine and ties everything together. No liqueur? Substitute with freshly squeezed orange juice for a non-alcoholic twist.
Sparkling Soda: A little fizz makes everything better. Use lemon-lime soda if you’re in the mood for sweetness or club soda if you’re keeping it more subtle. Pro tip: chill your soda beforehand to keep the sangria refreshingly cool.
Granulated Sugar: Totally optional, but if you’re a sweet-tooth like me, dissolve some sugar in a splash of warm water to create a simple syrup for easy mixing.
Fruits: Heart-shaped fruit slices are the star of the show here. Use a small cookie cutter to carve hearts out of apples and strawberries for maximum Valentine’s vibes. The orange slices? They’re the zesty sidekick.
Edible Glitter: Edible glitter takes this drink from “fun sangria” to “party centerpiece.” Make sure it’s labeled food-safe and sprinkle lightly for an ethereal glow—think fairy dust, not glitter bomb.
How to Make A Glittering Valentine’s Sangria
Step 1: Prep Your Fruits
Take your apple and strawberries and slice them into flat pieces about 1/4 inch thick.
Use a small heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out adorable heart pieces. (No cookie cutter? Use a knife and channel your inner Picasso.)
Slice your orange into thin, round slices for layering in the pitcher.
Step 2: Mix the Base
Grab a large pitcher and pour in the red wine. Add the orange liqueur and give it a gentle stir.
If you’re using sugar, dissolve it in a tablespoon of warm water first, then stir it into the wine mix. This ensures the sweetness is evenly distributed without any grainy surprises.
Step 3: Add the Fruit
Gently toss your fruit slices into the pitcher. They’ll infuse the wine with fruity goodness and look stunning as they float around.
Pro tip: let the mixture sit in the fridge for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld.
If you’re short on time, 30 minutes will do in a pinch.
Step 4: Fizz It Up
Just before serving, add your sparkling soda to the pitcher. This keeps the bubbles lively and fresh.
Stir gently to combine—you don’t want to flatten the fizz.
Step 5: Glitter Time
Sprinkle a pinch of edible glitter over the top of the sangria. Less is more here; you’re aiming for sparkle, not a disco ball.
Stir lightly to distribute the glitter without making it clump.
Step 6: Serve and Impress
Pour the sangria into glasses, ensuring each one gets a mix of fruit slices. Add a final pinch of glitter to each glass for that wow factor.
Bonus points for serving in clear glasses so the vibrant colors and glitter can shine through!
Tips for the Perfect Sangria
- Chill Everything: From the wine to the soda and fruit, keeping all your ingredients cold ensures the sangria is refreshing and ready to drink right away.
- Customize It: Not a fan of apples? Swap them for pears. Want extra color? Throw in some raspberries or pomegranate seeds.
- Make It Ahead: Sangria gets better the longer it sits (up to 24 hours without the soda), so prep the base a day in advance for maximum flavor.
- Alcohol-Free Version: Skip the wine and liqueur. Use grape juice, orange juice, and sparkling water for a kid-friendly, booze-free option.
Glittering Valentine’s Sangria Recipe
Glittering Valentine’s Sangria
Ingredients
- 1 bottle 750ml red wine (medium-bodied, like Merlot or Garnacha)
- 1/4 cup orange liqueur Cointreau or Triple Sec
- 1 cup sparkling soda lemon-lime or club soda
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar optional
- 1 orange sliced into thin rounds
- 1 apple cored and cut into heart-shaped slices
- 1 cup strawberries sliced into heart shapes
- Edible glitter food-safe, for garnish
Instructions
- Slice the apple and strawberries into flat pieces (about 1/4 inch thick).
- Use a small heart-shaped cookie cutter to create heart-shaped pieces. Alternatively, carve them by hand.
- Slice the orange into thin rounds.
- In a large pitcher, pour the red wine and orange liqueur.
- If using sugar, dissolve it in 1 tablespoon of warm water, then stir it into the wine mixture.
- Gently place the prepared fruit slices into the pitcher, ensuring even distribution.
- Let the mixture chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to enhance the flavors. (If you’re short on time, 30 minutes will work.)
- Just before serving, add the sparkling soda to the pitcher. Stir gently to maintain the carbonation.
- Sprinkle a pinch of edible glitter over the sangria. Stir lightly to distribute it for a sparkling effect.
- Pour the sangria into glasses, ensuring each serving includes fruit slices.
- Garnish with a final sprinkle of glitter for a stunning presentation.
Pin this post for later!
Hi, I’m Tiana – founder of and author here at Where Tiana Travels. I’m a 20-something with a love for all things travel, photography, and food. I have been living abroad for the past 5 years and solo traveling the globe in my free time. I created this blog to share my travel stories and inspire other women to go out and see the world. Read more about me here!