✔ Updated · fixed the card (calories were for the whole pitcher), real amounts for 8, plus a white sangria version
My mock sangria has everything I love about the real thing, minus the wine: deep red grape and pomegranate juice, lots of soaked fruit and a little fizz. It is easy to make ahead, and nobody feels left out.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Use 100% grape juice and a splash of pomegranate. The pomegranate adds the dry, slightly tart edge that makes it taste like sangria instead of fruit punch.
Why I Love This Mock Sangria
- Tastes grown-up, deep, fruity and not too sweet.
- Make-ahead friendly, it actually tastes better after a few hours in the fridge.
- Boozy-looking but alcohol-free, so it suits pregnancy, drivers and kids.
- The fruit is the best part, soaked and sweet at the bottom of the glass.
What You Need for Mock Sangria
Exact amounts are in the recipe card below.
- Red grape juice: 100% Concord-style grape juice gives the deep red color and body of red wine.
- Pomegranate juice: tart and slightly dry, the secret to a grown-up taste.
- Orange and lemon juice: fresh citrus to brighten everything.
- Fruit: orange, apple, strawberries and lime. Use what's in season.
- Cinnamon stick: a warm, subtle spice, just like many traditional sangrias.
- Sparkling water or lemon-lime soda: for fizz right before serving.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Give it time. Two hours in the fridge is the minimum; the fruit and cinnamon need a little time to flavor the juice. I make mine in the morning for an evening party.
- Add the bubbles last. Sparkling water stirred in too early goes flat. Add it right before serving, or top each glass individually.
- Want a wine-like edge? Swap 1 cup of the grape juice for strong brewed black tea, cooled. It adds a gentle dryness, like tannins in red wine. Heads up, the tea adds a little caffeine.
- Fruit juice ice cubes. Freeze some grape juice in an ice tray so the sangria stays strong instead of watery as the ice melts.
- Sweeter or less sweet? Use lemon-lime soda for sweeter, plain sparkling water for less. Taste before you add any extra sugar; I rarely need it.
Mock Sangria (Virgin Sangria Mocktail)
8
servings10
minutes115
kcal2
hours2
hours10
minutesAn alcohol-free sangria for a crowd: red grape juice and pomegranate juice with fresh orange juice and lemon, a cinnamon stick and plenty of sliced orange, apple and berries, chilled so the fruit soaks up the flavor, then topped with sparkling water just before serving.
Ingredients
3 cups 100% red (Concord) grape juice, chilled
1 cup pomegranate juice, chilled
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 cinnamon stick
1 orange, halved and thinly sliced
1 apple, cored and diced
1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced (or mixed berries)
1 lime, thinly sliced
2 cups sparkling water or lemon-lime soda, chilled
ice and fresh mint sprigs, to serve
Directions
- Slice the orange and lime, dice the apple and slice the strawberries. Add all the fruit to a large pitcher (at least 2 1/2 quarts).
- Pour in the grape juice, pomegranate juice, orange juice and lemon juice. Add the cinnamon stick and stir.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 12 hours, so the fruit soaks up the juice and the juice picks up the fruit and spice.
- Just before serving, remove the cinnamon stick and gently stir in the cold sparkling water or soda.
- Serve over ice, spooning some of the soaked fruit into each glass, and garnish with mint.
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White Mock Sangria
For a lighter, summery version, use 3 cups white grape juice and 1 cup apple or white cranberry juice with the orange and lemon juice. Fill the pitcher with sliced peaches, green grapes, lemon and lime, chill for 2 hours and top with sparkling water.
This one is my pick for brunch, and it looks gorgeous in a clear pitcher.
More Mocktails to Try
Hosting a crowd? Try my Blue Lagoon mocktail or a Cinderella mocktail, or one of these:
Virgin Mai Tai Cocktail Recipe
🍂 Hosting Thanksgiving? Pair this with more drinks for your Thanksgiving table, from mocktails to cozy sips.
🎄 Holiday party? Try more Christmas drinks and festive cocktails, including alcohol-free options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mock sangria made of?
Mock sangria swaps the red wine for fruit juice. This recipe uses red grape juice and pomegranate juice with orange and lemon juice, a cinnamon stick, sliced orange, apple, strawberries and lime, topped with sparkling water. It is completely alcohol-free.
How do you make virgin sangria taste like real sangria?
Use 100% grape juice rather than a sweet grape drink, add tart pomegranate juice and fresh citrus, and let it chill with a cinnamon stick. Swapping a cup of the grape juice for cooled black tea adds a wine-like dryness.
Can I make mock sangria ahead of time?
Yes. Mix everything except the sparkling water up to 12 hours ahead and keep it covered in the fridge. Add the sparkling water just before serving so it stays fizzy. Leftovers keep for 1 to 2 days, though the fruit softens.
How many calories are in mock sangria?
This recipe has about 115 calories per serving, based on 8 servings, mostly from the natural sugars in the fruit juices. Using plain sparkling water instead of soda keeps it lower.
Can I make a white mock sangria?
Yes. Use white grape juice instead of red, swap the pomegranate juice for apple or white cranberry juice, and use peaches, green grapes, lemon and lime. Top with sparkling water as usual.
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