The Taste of Summer All-Year Round: The Soaring Popularity of Sangría Around the World

Global Appeal

Sangría is experiencing a major global resurgence, evolving from a traditional Spanish summe specialty into a year-round, internationally popular beverage.

Perhaps the most renowned global brand is Lolea Sangría, which is sold in over 60 countries worldwide. Created by Zamora Company, Lolea is produced in Calatayud, a small Aragonese municipality 70 kilometers southwest of Zaragoza. The brand prides itself on using quality wine, the best Spanish citrus fruits, and fragrant spices. Standout products include the red sangría, Lolea N°1, made from Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, orange, lemon juice, and cinnamon; the white Lolea N°2, made from Macabeo and Chardonnay grapes with orange, lemon juice, and vanilla; and the limited edition N°19, La Cala, a special sangría gastronómica featuring cinnamon and mandarin, made in collaboration with renowned Spanish chef Albert Adrià.

Another popular Spanish sangría is the similarly-named Lolailo, produced by Madrid-based Bodegas Sanviver. Crafted using traditional production methods, Lolailo features the finest grapes, Valencian oranges and lemons, and select herbs and spices. Choose from red (Valencia orange, lemon, and cherries), white (hints of peach, melon, and apricot), rosé (strawberries, raspberries, and watermelon), and a special organic ‘bio’ version. You can buy Lolailo at the Spanish wine and food distributor Ultracomida in the UK.

Vicente Gandia makes elegant, high-end sparkling sangrías using the finest selection of Valencian wines and freshly-picked fruit from its Valencian orchards, as well as red berries such as raspberries, strawberries, and cherries. Intense aromas of citrus and red berries blend with notes of orange blossom in a sangría characterized by fine bubbles and full-bodied fruitiness.

Félix Solís, based in Valdepeñas, Castile-La Mancha, is the beverage company behind the hugely successful Sangría Peñasol. Exceptionally popular in Germany, Peñasol is also sold in the UK, France, Italy, Austria, and Belgium, as well as the USA, Singapore, and Australia. Sangría Peñasol is typically sold in a 1–1.5 liter carton format. You can find Peñasol at the likes of Andaronda C&C, Mitte Meer, and Weinhandel Peral in Germany, as well as all major supermarkets in the UK.

Meanwhile, Andalusian company Espadafor makes a range of premium-quality, authentic and traditional sangría, including an alcohol free option, singría (“sin” meaning “without” in Spanish), bringing notes of peach and aromas of citrus and cinnamon.

Innovative Packaging

Commercially sold Sangría steers away from the traditions of a pitcher-served beverage, reflecting the demands of modern consumers looking for convenience and accessibility.

This packaging taps into the increasingly “on-the-go” lifestyle, particularly among Millennials and Gen Z consumers. For instance, Pulpoloco Sangría, a company based in Madrid, utilizes eco-friendly, 250ml wood fiber cans, custom-made in Spain for sale across countries that include the USA and Hong Kong. Not only are their products convenient and portable, but they also meet new sustainability standards, with FSC-certified materials that use 30% less raw material than aluminum or plastic.

Meanwhile, Wineintube, a company based in Tarragona, Catalonia, specializes in creating packaging systems that offer greater convenience than traditional choices, with pouches, tubes, and bag-in-box formats. Wineintube exports its products throughout Europe and Asia, with key markets in the UK, the Philippines, and the Czech Republic. Czech online retailer eDelikatesy sells the bag-in-box edition of Wineintube, together with premium bottled sangría such as Sangría Rita, Mar & Sol, and La Cala by Albert Agria.

Spanish sangria-makers are adopting a ready-to-drink can format. Bodegas Verdúguez, based in Toledo, La Mancha, offer their Sparkling white and red Keep Calm & Drink Sangría in both a 250ml can format and a 75cl bottle format. Made with a blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha, and Velasco grapes, this sangría comes with notes of apples, citrus, and tropical fruit and a hint of cinnamon, so consumers can enjoy an authentic sangría flavor in a convenient, portable way. Asia is a key market for this product, and you can find Keep Calm & Drink Sangría at TheARTERI Sài Gòn, a multi-product Spanish store located in Vietnam’s most populous city.

Shifting Consumer Trends

Sangría's rise in international popularity can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, studies from the International Wine and Spirits Record (IWSR) show that the demand for low-alcohol beverages is increasing, with a significant rise expected over the next two years.

Sangría offers a fruit-forward, refreshing alternative as both a socially shareable drink and an easy, ready-to-drink option. In fact, the Ready-to-Drink (RTD) beverage category is booming, with a recent Forbes report highlighting the growth of RTD beverages like bottled and canned sangría outpacing total beverage alcohol growth. What’s more, the bright, vibrant packaging of The future certainly looks bright for Spanish sangría in international markets. As more and more people seek premium, organic products free from additives, authentic sangria products will continue to connect with consumers. Online retail and specialty Spanish stores around the world are offering an increasingly diverse selection of sangría products.

Sangría Pairing Options

The sweetness and fruitiness of sangría is perfectly complemented by salty, savory foods. Pair with cured meats such as chorizo, Jamón de Teruel PDO, or Catalan butifarra. Classic Spanish tapas such as patatas bravas, gildas, or croquetas are also ideal, as are quintessential Spanish products such as Queso Manchego PDO and olives.

These products showcase the best of Spain in a single sip or bite. One that goes beyond refreshment and invites you to slow down and savor authentic flavor, crafted by those who want to share the essence of Spain with the rest of the world.