Sangria is a forgiving format, which is why it's so often made without much thought. This version earns more attention. Watermelon juice provides a fresh, clean sweetness. Jalapeño adds heat that builds slowly. Fresh lime keeps everything bright. Beringer Knights Valley Mountain Rosé — a dry, fruit-forward rosé made from Malbec — ties it together with Alpine strawberry, Casaba melon, and a rose gold brightness that makes the pitcher look as good as it tastes.
At a Glance
- Cocktail: Watermelon jalapeño sangria
- Base Wine: Knights Valley Mountain Rosé
- Serves: 6 to 8
- Prep: 15 minutes (plus at least 1 hour to chill)
- Best For: Outdoor gatherings, summer entertaining, warm evenings
About the Wine
Knights Valley Mountain Rosé is a dry, Malbec-based rosé from Beringer's estate vineyards in Sonoma County's Knights Valley AVA. It shows a bright salmon pink hue with a rose gold rim, with aromas of starfruit, marshmallow, watermelon taffy, and cotton blossom. On the palate: Alpine strawberry cream, Casaba melon, and a finish of ripe feijoa with bright acidity. Its fruit-forward, refreshing character makes it an excellent sangria base — present enough to carry the cocktail, light enough not to overpower the watermelon and citrus.
Wildly Refreshing Mountain Rosé Sangria
Serves: 6 to 8
Prep: 15 minutes
Chill Time: At least 1 hour
Ingredients
- 1 bottle (750 ml) Beringer Knights Valley Mountain Rosé
- 4 cups fresh watermelon juice (from about half a large watermelon)
- 1 medium jalapeño, seeds and membranes removed, thinly sliced
- 1 cup fresh lime juice (from about 8 to 10 limes)
- ½ cup simple syrup, or to taste
- 2 cups sparkling water or club soda
- Lime slices, watermelon slices, jalapeño slices, and fresh mint, for garnish
- Ice
Instructions
-
Make the Watermelon Juice
Cut the watermelon into chunks, removing the rind. Purée in a blender until smooth, then strain through a fine mesh sieve. You should yield about 4 cups of juice. -
Infuse the Lime Juice
In a large pitcher, combine the sliced jalapeño with the fresh lime juice. Let sit for 10 minutes to allow the lime to absorb some of the jalapeño's heat. Adjust the soaking time based on how spicy you want the final drink — longer infusion equals more heat. -
Build the Sangria
Add the watermelon juice, Mountain Rosé, and simple syrup to the pitcher. Stir well to combine. Taste and adjust sweetness. -
Chill
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours to let the flavors meld. The sangria deepens in flavor as it sits. -
Serve
Just before serving, add the sparkling water and stir gently. Pour over ice and garnish each glass with lime slices, jalapeño slices, watermelon slices, and fresh mint.
Tip: Add the sparkling water just before serving, not to the pitcher in advance. This preserves the carbonation and keeps the sangria refreshing through the last glass.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Knights Valley Mountain Rosé?
Knights Valley Mountain Rosé is a dry, Malbec-based rosé produced by Beringer from estate vineyards in Knights Valley, Sonoma County. It is made using the stabulation technique, a cold pre-fermentation process that concentrates aromatics before fermentation begins. The wine shows bright salmon pink in the glass with aromas of starfruit, marshmallow, and watermelon taffy, and flavors of Alpine strawberry and Casaba melon. Explore the Knights Valley collection for current vintages.
Can I make this sangria without a blender?
Yes. Fresh watermelon juice can also be made by pressing cubed watermelon through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth without blending. The yield will be slightly lower but the flavor is the same.
How far ahead can I make sangria?
The sangria base (without sparkling water) can be made up to 24 hours ahead and stored in the refrigerator. The jalapeño will continue to infuse and the flavors will deepen. Add sparkling water just before serving to preserve the carbonation.
Can I adjust the spice level?
Yes. The heat comes from the jalapeño soaking in the lime juice. A 5-minute soak produces mild heat; 10 to 15 minutes gives a more noticeable warmth. Removing the jalapeño from the pitcher before refrigerating stops the infusion at your preferred level.
SHOP KNIGHTS VALLEY MOUNTAIN ROSÉ
Looking for another warm-weather pairing? Try our Grilled Casaba Melon and Prosciutto Skewers — the melon and prosciutto were practically made for a glass of Mountain Rosé.
