How Long Does Sangria Last In The Fridge? (How To Make It Last Longer)

Quick Answer: How Long Does Sangria Last In The Fridge?

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A prepared batch of Sangria should last for around five days when left in the fridge. It should be kept in an airtight container though, after that time, the sangria may start to go bad. You will know as it will turn sour and be unpleasant to drink. After just two days, Sangria made with sparkling wine will have much fewer bubbles to enjoy after just two days.

When getting ready for a large gathering, you should know how long does Sangria last in the fridge. The last thing you want is to leave it out for too long so the wine oxidizes and turns into vinegar and acid.

Only the freshest fruit should be added to Sangria and you can even make it seasonal. If you want to store it even longer, you can separate the fruit from the wine and freeze a batch of Sangria in airtight containers.

In this guide, we will look at how long Sangria lasts in the fridge, how to store it, and why it does not last that long. We will also look at how to know when it has gone bad and the best ways to make Sangria last.

How Long Does Sangria Last In The Fridge

Storing Sangria In The Fridge

To fully enjoy Sangria, you should choose the freshest fruits and prepare it just before serving. If you cannot find fresh fruit, use canned fruit but check the expiration date before allowing them to be spoiled while soaking in the red wine.

You can prepare Sangria in advance and allow the fruit to soak with the wine for between 12 and 24 hours. This should let the fruit absorb enough red wine and should keep the fruit going for longer.

Most recipes for Sangria insist that the serving should remain in the fridge overnight, or for at least 12 hours. During that time, the fruit should infuse with the wine and the juices will sweeten the mixture.

How sweet the Sangria is may depend on the fruit you use and how you prepare it. Creating a purée from various fruits can help create more of a concentrated flavor rather than just using uniform slices which may be more attractive.

Once Sangria has been prepared, it can be stored chilled in the fridge for up to five days. However, if it is bought from the supermarket, left unopened, and then stored in the fridge, it can last up to three months.

The timescale for serving Sangria in the open is severely limited as it may only stay good for half an hour. Try to prepare your batch of Sangria once guests have arrived as latecomers may only be left with sour servings.

The Dangers Of Oxidation

The main reason for why Sangria only lasts for five days even when kept cool in the fridge is due to oxidation.

The wine oxidizes quickly if Sangria is left open for air to get in and it will lose its consistency. To prevent oxidation, keep portions of Sangria in sealed bottles to prevent those outside influences getting in.

Why Sangria Does Not Last That Long

Sangria is typically made from fresh fruit, brandy, and red wine. The Spanish cocktail is usually served during the summer at large gatherings to provide a boozy and refreshing drink for guests.

The name comes from the traditional Spanish word for blood which is sangre. Part of the reason why Sangria does not last very long is due to the use of fresh fruit which can include strawberries, pears, apples, peaches, and pineapples.

Sangria also needs to be kept cold when serving which can be annoying for a large gathering. You may want to serve a lot of it out first when all your guests have arrived.

After that, you can pop the Sangria back into the fridge or into an ice bucket so it stays fresh and cool for a second serving. The wine and fruit should retain their freshness but once exposed to sunlight, the wine can turn vinegary.

How To Know When Sangria Has Gone Bad

Bad Sangria can be pretty easy to tell as soon as you try it. You could even risk poisoning if the Sangria has been left out for far too long.

As the wine in Sangria oxidizes it can turn to vinegar and even acid, especially when it is not stored properly and consumed in time. The first sign that Sangria has gone bad is a visual one as the red wine may turn to an orange color.

Color Changes

This color change indicates that the alcohol in the Sangria has begun to oxidize. The next color change will be the discoloration of those fruit pieces as they will absorb too much wine and wilt or turn brown.

At that point, the Sangria should be thrown out. If there is only a slight color change then the Sangria should still be ok but give it a sniff test too.

Appearance Of Mold

You should note that all fruit can suffer from mold when left out for too long. This is a particular concern for the fruit before it goes into a batch of Sangria as it should be fresh.

Any green, dark, or white spots on the surface could indicate mildew. Try feeling the fruit beforehand as it should be soft but not too soft before adding it to red wine to create Sangria.

Bad Smell

When a lot of foodstuffs go off, you can tell just by the smell. Sangria is just the same as it will turn sour when it goes bad and you should be able to tell with a sniff.

Once the Sangria is oxidized it can turn into vinegar and acid which will create that sour smell. Throw it out as soon as the smell turns because it will not be safe to eat.

The Best Ways Of Making Sangria Last

Making Sangria last starts with choosing the right ingredients. Not necessarily the freshest fruit but the carbonation is important too. You only need to add sparkling wine to your Sangria when it is just ready to serve.

That way it will remain sparkling for longer and that is the same rule for sparkling apple cider, club soda, or just simple sparkling water.

Be patient and you can really enjoy the burst of bubbles from your Sangria.

Be Wary Of Carbonation

Sure, carbonated ingredients are great to have with your Sangria yet carbonation can be bad news.

Sparkling wine, club soda, sparkling apple cider, and sparkling water will soon lose their bubbles, especially when the bottles are opened some days before being added to your Sangria.

Keep your bottles of carbonated liquids closed until you are ready to serve your Sangria or you can expect it to be flatter sooner.

Try Freezing It

Just like many food items, you can store Sangria for longer by freezing a batch in an airtight container. While you may think that just works for batch cooking and bread, it can work for your Sangria too.

Be aware that there will be fresh fruit and red wine in your Sangria which can both go bad within an hour or so when left out in the sunlight.

After creating and serving your Sangria, pour it into an airtight container to prevent the fruit and wine from going sour.

To properly freeze Sangria, separate the fruit pieces from the liquid. The fruit will decay far quicker than the rest of the Sangria and that can be a problem when you leave it in the fridge.

In the freezer, put the fruit pieces in an airtight container to keep them relatively fresh.

With the liquid separated, you can pour that into an airtight jar or bottle, attach a label with the freezing date and leave it in the freezer.

You can even make Sangria popsicles with your prepared batch. However, if you want it ready to go, measure out your Sangria in individual glasses then pour it into individual airtight containers.

Sangria can be really simple to freeze and can keep for around three months which means it could be ready for your next gathering. No one should be able to tell it has been defrosted, if you freeze it quickly enough.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Prepare The Best Sangria?

Sangria is a great cocktail to prepare for a large gathering. With fresh, sweet fruit, you should ensure that there is a balance with the red wine.

Try to use seasonal fruit for freshness such as citrus fruit in winter (oranges, mandarins, and lemons) and more rounded fruits in winter (peaches, mangos, and strawberries). If you feel it needs an extra boozy boost, add a shot or two of brandy.

Why Is The Wine Important In Sangria?

You should use a fruity red wine for a traditional serving of Sangria. However, the red wine does not have to be super expensive as the alcohol is typically buried underneath the taste of the fruit pieces.

If you were to choose an expensive wine, it would be money wasted when you are using so much fruit. Try to find an averaged priced red wine, not too expensive but not too cheap either as poor quality wine can affect the shelf life of Sangria.

Final Thoughts

Sangria needs an initial 12 to 24 hours to infuse the red wine with the fruits but after that you should be careful. A batch of Sangria can spoil inside an hour when left out in the sunlight.

An opened batch of Sangria can be stored in the fridge for up to five days but, unopened, it can last for up to three months when chilled. However, to keep Sangria for even longer you should separate the fruits from the wine and freeze it.

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Jess Smith

Hi, my name is Jess Smith, and I love cooking in my spare time. Around three years ago, I decided to give up my day job as a teacher to pursue my passion for food. While I have enjoyed sharing tips and tricks on Social Media, I have decided to expand my horizons through this blog.

Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.

I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!