When the patios are full and the evenings stay light until after nine, Toronto drinks change. Heavy reds and stirred cocktails give way to things that are cold, fruity, fizzy and easy to share. Two drinks rule the season: sangria, the Spanish wine punch that is made for a crowd, and the spritz, the Italian aperitivo that turns a glass of bubbles into something special.
Both are easy to make, forgiving, and perfect for backyard dinners, balcony evenings and long weekends. Here are our favourite recipes, plus tips on which wines to use and how to batch them.
Sangria basics
Sangria is a mix of wine, fruit, a little spirit and something sweet, left to rest so the flavours blend. The golden rules:
- Use an inexpensive but decent wine. You don’t need a premium bottle, but don’t use anything you wouldn’t drink on its own.
- Let it rest. At least 2 hours in the fridge, or overnight for the best flavour.
- Add bubbles last. Top with soda or sparkling wine just before serving so it stays fizzy.
- Serve over plenty of ice in a large wine glass.
1. Classic red sangria
- 1 bottle (750 ml) fruity red wine, such as Gato Negro Cabernet Sauvignon or Jackson-Triggs Merlot
- ¼ cup brandy
- ¼ cup orange liqueur
- 2–3 tbsp sugar or simple syrup, to taste
- 1 orange, 1 lemon and 1 apple, sliced
- 1 cup soda water, added before serving
Combine everything except the soda in a pitcher, stir and refrigerate. Top with soda and ice when you serve. A Chilean Cabernet like Gato Negro is ideal here: fruity, smooth and affordable.
2. White peach sangria
- 1 bottle crisp white wine, like Gato Negro Sauvignon Blanc or Peller Family Pinot Grigio
- ¼ cup peach schnapps or elderflower liqueur
- 2 ripe peaches, sliced, plus a handful of green grapes and a sliced lime
- 1–2 tbsp honey or simple syrup
- 1 cup lemon-lime soda or soda water
Lighter and brighter than the red, and a great match for grilled fish and salads. Ontario peaches in late July and August make it even better. If you like Pinot Grigio, read more in exploring the flavour profiles of Pinot Grigio.
3. Sparkling rosé sangria
Combine ½ cup vodka, 1 cup sliced strawberries, ½ cup raspberries and a sliced lemon in a pitcher and chill for an hour. Just before serving, pour in a bottle of chilled sparkling rosé such as Luc Belaire Rosé. Pretty, pink and very easy to drink.
Spritz basics: the 3-2-1 rule
Most spritzes follow a simple ratio: 3 parts sparkling wine, 2 parts aperitif or liqueur, 1 part soda water, built over lots of ice in a large wine glass. Prosecco is the classic base; Bottega Prosecco and Blu Giovello both work well.
4. Classic orange spritz
3 oz prosecco, 2 oz bitter orange aperitif (such as Aperol), 1 oz soda water. Build over ice and garnish with an orange slice. Bittersweet, refreshing and the definitive patio drink.
5. Hugo spritz
Gently press a few mint leaves in a wine glass, add ice, 1 oz elderflower liqueur, 3 oz prosecco and a splash of soda. Garnish with lime and mint. Floral, light and lower in alcohol.
6. Limoncello spritz
2 oz limoncello, 3 oz prosecco and 1 oz soda water over ice, garnished with a lemon wheel and basil. Sunshine in a glass.
Batching for a party
- Sangria: one bottle of wine makes about 4–5 servings. For 12 guests, make three pitchers.
- Spritzes: don’t pre-mix the bubbles. Set up a station with chilled prosecco, the aperitifs, soda, ice and garnishes, and let guests build their own.
- Keep it cold: freeze some of the fruit (grapes and berries work best) and use it instead of ice so the drinks don’t water down.
For more warm-weather ideas, see 7 easy summer cocktails and 10 fruity drinks to make at home.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best wine for sangria?
A fruity, medium-bodied red with soft tannins, such as a Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Spanish Garnacha. For white sangria, choose a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
How long should sangria sit before serving?
At least two hours in the fridge, and ideally overnight. Add soda or sparkling wine only when serving.
Can I get wine and prosecco delivered in Toronto?
Yes. Instabooze delivers wine, sparkling and spirits across Toronto and the GTA. Browse our wines and sparkling wines. You must be 19 or older and show ID.
Summer in Toronto is short, so make the most of every warm evening. A pitcher of sangria or a round of spritzes is all it takes to turn a regular night into a patio party.
