Texas Sangria | 12th Man Game Day Drink Recipe

A traditional red wine sangria recipe with a Texas twist! This fruity sangria recipe with whiskey is a delicious + easy game day drink for a crowd. Serve at your next tailgating/hostgating football party – perfect for a fall weekend get together.

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texas sangria recipe with whiskey an easy recipe for crowd, tailgates, or homegating football parties

Texas Sangria Game Day Recipe

I’ve got a little story for ya Ags…

Aggies and non-aggies: Do you know the history behind the 12th Man at Texas A&M?

I’ll make it short(ish) and sweet – it’s a nice story you’ll want to hear.

texas sangria recipe with whiskey an easy recipe for crowd, tailgates, or homegating football parties

Way back in January 1922, the Aggies were finishing off a not-so-great football season. And to make matters worse, they were facing the Centre College Praying Colonels for the Dixie Classic in Dallas, who at the time were the top ranked team.

The Aggies were feeling pretty defeated throughout the game and it was not looking good…a lot of the players were having to come out of the game because of injuries and it seemed there might not be enough players to even finish the game.

texas sangria recipe with whiskey perfect for game day football party

An A&M student by the name of E. King Gill was in the press box helping identify players, when the Aggie head coach motioned for him to come down and get suited up.

Gill came down on the sidelines and borrowed one of the injured players’ uniform. He stood at the players bench ready and waiting for his coach to call him in, if needed.

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Well, the Aggies pulled off the unexpected – they defeated the Praying Colonels 22-14! Gill ended up not being needed after all, but he stood ready for his coach the rest of the game.

This back story is the heart of the “12th Man” student section at Aggie sporting events. The fans are considered the “12th” player, standing (never sitting) ready to backup our team. And make a WHOLE lot of noise in the process!

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And as a Fightin’ Texas Aggie class of 2009, I thought this was the perfect dedication to name a yummy game day drink. 

It also helps that it’s the beautiful color maroon 🙂

Scroll below to read how to make this DELICIOUS Texas Sangria recipe. Seriously – Aggies and non Aggies – this drink was devoured at our last football party! 

easy sangria recipe for a crowd, football party, tailgating or homegating event

How to make Texas Sangria

Texas Sangria Game Day Recipe or what I like to call 12th Man Red Maroon Sangria!

This “Texas” Sangria recipe is my own adaptation to the traditional Spanish sangria recipe. The one change is I switch out brandy for a smooth Texas whiskey. 

One whiskey I would LOVE to try with this recipe is the Oak & Eden Bourbon & Vine. The Bourbon & Vine line is the Oak & Eden whiskey that has a cabernet steeped spiral inside the whiskey bottle. 

The husband of one of my roommates at the Haven Conference is one of the owners of Oak & Eden, which is local to Texas. When the Bourbon & Vine bottles come back on the shelves this October I’ll be trying it out with this sangria recipe – and be sure to let you guys know how it tastes!

Want More Yummy Big Batch Cocktails? Try Our Delicious (And Most Popular!) Sunday Funday Punch Recipe!

sunday game day drink for football party or tailgate

Texas Sangria Ingredients (double recipe for large pitcher size)

  • 1 bottle Spanish Red Wine
  • ½ cup favorite Texas Whiskey/Bourbon (Oak & Eden, TX)
  • 1 ½ cup Orange Juice
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 2 apples, sliced
  • 2 pears, sliced
  • 3 oranges, sliced. Extra for garnish

Texas Sangria Recipe Instructions

  1. Add 1 bottle red wine, 1/2 cup whiskey, and 1 1/2 cups of orange juice to a drink dispenser or pitcher. You can top off with more wine, whiskey, or orange juice to taste. 
  2. Add 1/4 cup sugar to the drink dispenser and stir. 
  3. Cut your fruit into slices. I used apples, pears and oranges for this sangria. You can use any fruit that is in season or you have on hand. Add in your sliced fruit to the drink dispenser. 
  4. Sangria taste the best after you let the flavors of the fruit and alcohol sit for several hours in the refrigerator. This helps mix all the flavors for a delicious fruity taste!
  5. After 2+ hours in the refrigerator (I aim for closer to 4-8) your sangria is ready! Add ice to a glass, and pour in the sangria. Add fruit slice for garnish. Enjoy!

texas sangria recipe with whiskey an easy recipe for crowd, tailgates, or homegating football parties
Yield: 12 servings

Texas Sangria | Game Day Drink Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 bottle of Red Wine ( You can pick Spanish for traditional sangria, Texan in nod to 12th Man, or any red wine favorite of yours!)
  • 1/2 cup favorite Texas Whiskey (Oak & Eden Bourbon & Vine would pair perfectly!)
  • 1 1/2 cup Orange Juice
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 apples, sliced
  • 4 oranges, sliced
  • 2 pears, sliced

Instructions

  1. Add 1 bottle red wine, 1/2 cup whiskey, and 1 1/2 cups of orange juice to a drink dispenser or pitcher. You can top off with more wine, whiskey, or orange juice to taste. 
  2. Add 1/4 cup sugar to the drink dispenser and stir. 
  3. Cut your fruit into slices. I used apples, pears and oranges for this sangria. You can use any fruit that is in season or you have on hand. Add in your sliced fruit to the drink dispenser. 
  4. Sangria taste the best after you let it sit for several hours in the refrigerator. This helps mix all the flavors of fruit and alcohol for a deliciously bold taste!
  5. After 2+ hours in the refrigerator (I aim for closer to 4-8) your sangria is ready! Add ice to a glass, and pour in the sangria. Add fruit slice for garnish. Enjoy!

Notes

* recipe adapted by Minimalist Baker

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 155Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 4mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 3gSugar: 17gProtein: 1g

Did you make this recipe?

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big batch tailgate drinks

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Be sure to whip up this refreshing Texas Sangria at your next game day party or group gathering – it’s sure to be a hail mary hit! 

Any questions with how to make our recipes? Leave a comment with any questions you have!

Happy drink making!

 

 

 

Throwing a football get-together? Check out our taco bar homegating party!

ground beef tacos with homemade taco seasoning recipe

 

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