Funny thing. I’ve consumed two glasses of this sangria and I’m fumbling for the proper words to describe it. How about, “Best white sangria ever?” Bold statement, but I’m not kidding around. Yeah, I see your sangria bet and I’ll raise you twenty.
This sangria is a fun spin on classic red sangria. Watermelon is key. It infuses white wine with fresh summer flavor, and the little cubes float on top, just waiting to get scooped out and eaten like boozy fruit salad.
The raspberries don’t add a lot of flavor, but they’re like rubies on the ocean floor. You’ll find them once you polish off your glass.
How to Make the Best White Sangria
I’ve always gotten hung up on which liquor/liqueur to use in white sangria. I hate syrupy Cointreau and brandy never seems quite right. It finally occurred to me that I could pour in some St. Germain, a delicately flavored elderflower liqueur with just the right amount of sweetness.
I don’t love most liqueurs, but I’ve yet to meet a woman (or man) who doesn’t appreciate St. Germain. It goes great with gin, vodka, cucumber and fruity drinks.
It’s on the pricier side (about $33 for that pretty bottle shown above), so feel free to buy a 50 mL miniature bottle and call it good. Or if you must, skip it altogether for summery, fruity wine.
Please let me know how you like this sangria in the comments! I love hearing from you.
Looking for more ultra-refreshing, wine-based summer drinks? Don’t miss my Aperol Spritz, Red Sangria and French 75 recipes.
Watermelon White Sangria
- Author: Cookie and Kate
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 glasses 1x
- Category: Cocktail
- Cuisine: Spanish
The best white sangria recipe, featuring watermelon, summer fruit and St. Germain liqueur! This sangria is absolutely perfect for summertime sipping.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cubed watermelon
- ½ medium nectarine, peach or plum, thinly sliced
- ½ cup raspberries, sliced strawberries or blackberries (optional)
- 5 to 6 thin slices lime
- 1 (750 ml) bottle sauvignon blanc
- ¼ cup St. Germain liqueur
- 1 to 2 tablespoons agave nectar or simple syrup (optional), to taste
- Ice, for serving
Instructions
- In a large pitcher, combine the prepared watermelon, nectarine, raspberries and lime. Pour in the St. Germain, followed by the entire bottle of sauvignon blanc. Gently stir with a big spoon to combine. Let the mixture chill in the refrigerator for 2 to 4 hours (the longer, the better).
- Taste and stir in some agave nectar if the sangria isn’t quite sweet enough for you. Serve sangria in individual glasses, over ice.
Notes
Recipe adapted from/inspired by Vibrant Food by Kimberley Hasselbrink.
▸ Nutrition Information
Vegetable enthusiast. Dog lover. I'm probably making a big mess in my Kansas City kitchen right now. 
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
So delicious and refreshing looking Kate! This looks great!
Nicole - Coking for Keeps
These are beautiful. And I do agree, St.Germain is such a lovely addition to any cocktail!
Cara
Looks awesome! I especially love the use of St. Germain with the watermelon. That was truly inspired! Can’t wait to try it this weekend.
Bridget
If you’re in Massachusetts, local elderflower liqueur St. Elder is cheaper and just as delicious!
Erin @ The Almond Eater
I definitely believe this is the bet sangria recipe–plus, ALL of your drink recipes are always amazing, so I’m sure this is no exception!
Kate
Thank you, Erin!
Allyson
One of my favorite summer cocktails for a long time was Aperol, St. Germain, and prosecco. Bubbly, tart, and floral- oh, it was so good. I haven’t had it in forever because St. Germain can get so pricy. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
P.S. That sangria looks gorgeous.
Kate
Oooh that sounds lovely. I just bought a bottle of St. Germain for about $7 less than the last time ($33 vs. $40), so maybe the price is going down a bit?
shelley
The elderflower syrup at Ikea is a reasonable stand in for St. Germaine in many recipes, (you can always add other form of alchohol) delicious regardless and cheap!
Kate
Ohhh, great idea! I’ll look for it!
Brooke @ Chocolate + Marrow
Ohh I keep running into watermelon at the store and wanting to do some kind of cocktail with it, but I have been too lazy to do any research on recipes. Sooo basically, #drinkthesummer (and you!) have solved all my watermelon woes. Thanks, Kate!!!
Kate
Well, perfect! Enjoy!!!
aida mollenkamp
I’ve never put St Germain in sangria but now you have me totally intrigued!
Carolyn
My Corgi and I eat watermelon chunks every day, all year round. I love the white peach Sangria at Applebee’s, so this recipe is definitely for me. As soon as I get all the ingredients, will be making up a pitcher of it. Sorry, Callie, “Mom” needs that chunk of watermelon!
Kate
That’s so funny. I’ll have to share my leftover watermelon with Cookie. Hope you love it!
Jessie Snyder | Faring Well
I feel like this is one of those drinks I could have WAY too much of! (Haha!) So gorgeous and yummy sounding, love it Kate. <3
Kate
Haha, I had to stop myself at two glasses! Thanks, Jessie!
Maggie
I’m going to a party in Newport, RI this weekend and I now know exactly what I’ll be drinking. Thanks Kate!
Kate
Perfect! Hope it’s a hit!
Jessie @ Chasing Belle
You are not kidding when you say this is the best sangria the ever. It has all the yummy and good things! We’re having neighbors over for dinner on Friday and I’m definitely making this!
Kate
Thanks, Jessie! Hope you all love it!
My Dish is Bomb
I love St. Germain in cocktails! Most white sangria recipes I see on the interwebs are lemon-lime, which is great but I’ve definitely been searching for something more fruity. This takes the cake!
Kelsey @ Appeasing a Food Geek
Love this spin on sangrias! And I bet this recipe is as yummy as it is pretty :) Happy #drinkthesummer!
Gaby Dalkin
It’s hard not to love St. Germain! Love the flavor combination with the watermelon, too. This sangria looks perfect for the weekend!
Kate
Thank you, Gaby! xo
Em
“…like rubies on the ocean floor…” Swoon. I’ll take three of these and more of that raspberry poetry, please! Happy summer!
Kate
:) thanks, Em!
Bella B
Yum! It looks so refreshing…and delicious!
Evelyn
“Like rubies on the ocean floor”
You own the delicious descriptions here! But it looks absolutely lovely, and I can’t wait to put a big jug of this sangria on the table this weekend, during dinner with friends!
Kate
Haha, thanks Evelyn! Hope you all love it!
Chelsa
ANY drink with St Germain and I’m making it or ordering it at a restaurant. I LOVE the stuff (though not the price tag sadly). Can’t wait to try this!
Kate
Me too!!! Cheers!
Stephanie | Worth Whisking
Kate, this sangria looks so delicious and refreshing, and your photos are gorgeous! I refuse to let summer go so soon, so this cocktail is a great way to live in denial of fall being right around the corner! Thanks for the recipe!
Sophie | The Green Life
Ooh this sounds so delicious and refreshing! I love everything about it!!
Sherrie
Yeah, you’re totally right – St. Germain is the WAY TO GO! These photos are beautiful Kate! And also, those summer cocktails together in KC might be turning into fall drinks? Seriously though, we’re coming out, I promise! Thanks for hanging with us yesterday, xx.
Kate
Woohoo, glad you’re with me on the St. Germain! So glad you’re coming to visit soon, definitely keep me updated!
Alexa @ Sweet Little Kitchen
This looks so beautiful and delicious! A perfect way to sip away the last few weeks of summer. I’ve never had a watermelon sangria before, but I think this weekend might be the time to change that.
Candie
Made this last night for my book club. So insanely delish. And the sanria-soaked watermelon at the end? Forget it!
Kate
Hooray! Thanks, Candie!
Kasey
How I wish I could have a glass of this right now, Kathryne!
Megan
This was such a hit! Even the guys loved it. I didn’t add in the agave/simple syrup and it was the perfect combination of fruity and refreshing. I only wish I’d doubled it!
Thanks for yet another great recipe and for the introduction to St. Germain–so glad I bought the big bottle.
Emily | Robust Recipes
Sangria is the best! And watermelon in sangria sounds amazing and so refreshing! Yum!
Alice
Just come across your blog and I bloomin love it! I will defos be looking at your recipes because I am striving to become vegan!
This drink looks so refreshing! xx
Kate
Thank you, Alice! Welcome! :)
Sarah
Planning to make this for a brunch this weekend! I inherited some blackberry liqueur from my grandfather’s liquor cabinet. Wondering, 1 if that could work or still too much on the brandy side and 2, how old can liqueur be to still be drunk ;-)
Kate
Both great questions, and I don’t know the answer to either! Hope it turned out great!
Kathy Rosenfeld
This sangria is the best! I used John DeKuyper & Sons Fleur and it turned out wonderful. Will make this again for sure. Thanks so much for the receipe.
Kate
Thank you, Kathy! Really glad to hear it.
Brenna
Thanks! I was looking for a St Germaine recipe last weekend, just bought a big watermelon yesterday, so I see this in my near future
Courtney
This was wonderful and so beautiful to serve at a party. LOVED this.
Kate
Thanks again, Courtney!
Katharine Isbell
Easy to make and easy to drink. This was perfect for late afternoon sipping.
Kate
Perfect! Thanks, Katharine.
Eve
We’re on our second pitcher of this! Delightfully refreshing.
Marvelle Karahadian
Thank you for this inspirational email…..so many great recipes and ideas. I will say your “Ultimate Gazpacho” is heavenly! Love, love, love it!
Kate
Great!
Kris
I found this to be a little heavy for a nice summer drink. I served it 2/3 sangria to 1/3 sprite and was amazing. Highly complimented by my guests.
Kate
Thank you for sharing your feedback, Kris!
kp
Can I make this the night before for lunch the next day or would the taste of the fruits be too steeped?
Kate
I like this best served same day. It was ok left over.
Greg
Ridiculously good. Keeper for sure.
Kate
Great to hear, Greg! Thank you for your review.
Kati
One of my favorites,
Champagne with a splash of st Germaine!
Cee & Stella
Perfect Summer sangria. Refreshing and not overly sweet It was a big hit and looks beautiful
Kate
Great to hear, Cee & Stella!