Sangria is a punch of sorts made with wine, fruit, brandy, sugar, and an added splash of something fizzy such as some sparkling water. A lot of the times sangria is made with red wine, but you can use white wine or some rose wine as well. When it comes to brandy you can also replace that with a lot of other alcoholic or non alcoholic beverages. You can also make sangria without brandy so if you are just not into getting the extra bottle you can skip it altogether. Your drink will still taste great without the brandy. Below are some of the best alternatives to brandy for your sangria dish.
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Whiskey
One of the best substitutes for brandy in sangria is whiskey. Whiskey can make an alcoholic substitute that is very similar to brandy. The texture and the flavour of whiskey is almost the same with that of brandy but a little different from brandy, but it will be a great fit for your sangria recipe. Also, whiskey may taste more alcoholic, but it will only make a slight difference, and you will probably not even notice it. When substituting whiskey for sangria you can use equal amounts in your drink.
Rum
Rum can make a great substitute for brandy is sangria. In fact, rum is a type of alcohol that may actually make your recipe even tastier. It is sweeter than any other alcohol, and definitely sweeter than brandy so your drink will taste a little different but it will not change much in your recipe. Also rum can balance the taste and fit into the mixture of your sangria. To use rum in place of brandy in sangria use equal amounts and add water if necessary, to reduce the alcohol’s sweetness.
Wine
Also on our list of some of the best substitutes for brandy is wine. Brandy is simply a wine that has been distilled, so the wine can fit perfectly in your recipe. You can achieve a similar flavour with wine by using it in place of brandy in sangria. Also, wine will bring out the richness and strengthen the flavours of your drink. There are many types of wine that you can consider, but whichever one you choose whether white or red can be used in place of brandy in your drink. Some wines are much sweeter than others, and sometimes it may be necessary to add a splash of vinegar or lemon so that you balance the taste of your drink.
Vodka
Another great substitute for brandy in sangria is vodka. You can always add some Vodka to your punch because it is flavourless, odourless and colourless and therefore will not affect the colour in your recipe. Adding Vodka to your sangria in place of brandy may slightly change the taste of your drink but the difference may not be noticeable. You can also use Vodka in a number of other recipes apart from sangria. It also makes a great substitute when baking because it will help to improve the texture of your dish.
Gin
Gin is another great option when substituting brandy in sangria. It will add a crisp, and herbal notes just make sure that it will work with your recipe before you add it into your drink. Just like many other liquors, you can use gin as a substitute in a number of recipes apart from just sangria. Gin is especially good to use with meats as well.
Apple Juice
If you do not want to use any alcohol-based substitutes, then consider using apple juice in place of brandy in sangria. Apple juice can be a great alternative to brandy in a number of cocktails in addition to sangria. Also, you do not need to dilute the juice when adding it to your meal, just use a few tablespoons, or the exact amount you would use if you were using brandy. Keep in mind that you may need to mix it with water for larger quantities. Apple juice will fit very well in your recipe even though it will not taste quite the same but apple juice will bring out the same flavour as the brandy would. To use apple juice in place of brandy in your sangria use a one to one ratio.
Grand Marnier
Not all sangria requires you to use brandy. As such you can use Grand Marnier in place of brandy in sangria. Grand Marnier will add sweetness, a kick, and a great aroma to your sangria, if you substitute brandy with this alcohol. Using this orange flavoured liquor will make your sangria delicious. Grand Marnier is a perfect substitute since it is made from a blend of Cognac brandy, distilled essence of bitter orange, and sugar. To use Grand Marnier in place of brandy simply use a one to one ratio.
Cherry Juice
Cherry juice is another non alcoholic substitute for brandy in sangria. It is affordable and relatively available for your drinks and other recipes if you do not like the taste of alcohol. Keep in mind that cherry juice is much sweeter than brandy so your sangria may taste a bit sweeter. As such, you should reduce your sweet ingredients when preparing your drink. Another good option would be to use cherry juice with reduced-sugar. Other fruit juices such as apple, raspberry, pomegranate, and black currant will also do a great job in place of brandy in sangria. If you decide to use other fruit juices in your punch you might end up having a slightly different flavour based on the type of juice you use.
There are a number of alternatives when it comes to substituting brandy in sangria. If you do not want an alcoholic substitute consider adding apple juice or cherry juice. Your best alternatives are Grand Marnier, gin and rum if you like your drink a little sweet. There are other ingredients you can add to your sangria such as fruits and sweeteners to enhance the taste of your drink. You can also add a cinnamon stick to add a sweet spice. In addition, you can add sparkling water to add some fizz to your drink.
