How to Make Costco Sangria Better? [19 Amazing Combos]

The Kirkland Signature Costco Sangria is pretty much as perfect as it can get, but if I told you you could make it even better would you believe me? After some research and experimentation, I’m proud to present some amazing combinations of flavors. So, how to make Costco sangria better? 

You can improve Costo sangria by adding fresh fruits, honey, Sprite, club soda, coconut rum, peach schnapps, triple sec, sparkling wine, and various juices that can significantly improve the taste of Costco sangria. 

I am a huge sangria fan, so my lifelong goal is to find new ways to make it even more delicious. Costco Sangria is an excellent and time-saving way to enjoy the drink, but there’s no harm in adding a few things to improve the flavor. In this article, I will share with you some of the best ideas to make Costco Sangria better. 

Fresh Fruits

Adding fresh fruits to your sangria will probably be the best decision you make that day. The already fruity drink can always use some more fruitiness and vibrancy. 

I like to chop up some strawberries, peaches, and oranges and toss them into the sangria. It gives the drink a nice splash of color and a delightful liveliness. You can also use green apples, grapes, raspberries, or any fruits you have at home. Still, don’t add bananas, papayas, mangoes, or similar fruits, because, trust me, they won’t do well. 

Club Soda 

If you don’t feel very creative but still want some buzz, go simple and add some club soda to your Costco sangria. The bubbles will do their thing, making the texture mellower and the flavor sweeter. This is an excellent solution for you if you like your drink more on the gentle side but with a bubbly twist.

Just add a splash of club soda to your glass, and you’re done. The club soda adds a layer of complexity and depth without overpowering the flavor and essence of the sangria. 

Honey

It may sound a little too simple and even ridiculous, but a tablespoon of honey goes a long way with Costco Sangria. The honey adds a specific kind of sweetness, natural, mellow, the kind that doesn’t overpower the drink but just supports the already existing flavors. Not that it needs it, but the additional sweetness can never ruin a sangria. 

I like to add half a teaspoon to my glass and mix until the drink absorbs the honey. Make sure you always use natural honey because it melts into the sangria easily and provides the sweetness you want. 

Cinnamon Sticks

As unimaginative as adding cinnamon sticks to your Costco sangria may sound, I urge you to give this idea a shot. It takes just a few seconds, but the results are excellent. You’ll definitely love the warm sweetness the cinnamon sticks give the drink making its fruitiness even more intense. 

Ginger

If you like to insert freshness and a slight citrusy note into your Costco sangria, don’t think twice before giving ginger a whirl. I like to make ginger tea and mix it with my drink, but you can add ginger any way you want. Everything goes from grating to dicing it to cutting it in stripes. 

Still, the tea idea is the fastest and cleanest way to inject ginger freshness without having to deal with the soggy ginger pieces. Still, if you like the soggy ginger pieces, by all means, go ahead!

Sparkling Wine

Sparkling wine and Costco Sangria go hand in hand together and make a proven recipe to have fun. The bubbly side of the sparkling wine mellows down the sangria flavor while adding an extra layer of texture, making the drink creamier. The kick is so good you’ll definitely want more. 

I like mixing half sparkling wine and half sangria in my glass, but you can adjust the amounts any way you like. Still, remember that you are mixing two alcohols, so don’t go too far too quickly. 

Triple Sec

Triple Sec is another excellent addition. The orange-flavored, sharp, and edgy triple sec will sharpen up the sangria giving it a more robust dimension. I like adding triple sec to my sangria because of the bitterness that makes the existing notes more intense.  

So, if you don’t like your happy hour on the bitter side, this is definitely not a good option for you. 

Brandy 

Brandy is sangria’s best buddy. The brandy adds warmth and a bit of a burn, taking it to another level. On the other hand, the sweet and fruity sangria tones down the brandy, making it more tolerable, especially if you aren’t a brandy drinker. 

I like mixing two-thirds sangria and one-third brandy, but you can make it half and half. Still, I don’t recommend you add more brandy than this, as its notes will easily overpower the flavor. 

Sprite

Sprite and sangria make a great combo. It is a simple idea with satisfying results. The bubbly spite will mellow down the sangria while making its texture richer and creamier. It is an awesome idea for those who don’t like the taste of alcohol but love its effects. 

My favorite is adding a lime wheel for extra flavor, but you can add any fruit you want. 

Mint Leaves

The mint leaves will add a mojito twist to the drink, making it fresher and softer with their pronounced herbal notes. I found that this combo goes great with fresh green apples and blackberries. If you are into experimenting with flavors, try adding a few mint leaves to your Costco sangria and thank me later. 

Peach Schnapps

Even though peach schnapps and sangria is a very potent mix, it deserves mention on this list. Before I say anything about this combo, I have to tell you that this is a strong drink, and you shouldn’t be too eager about it. 

Peach schnapps has a pronounced peach flavor that cuts through the sweetness of your Costco sangria, giving it an edgy note. Now, about the taste, it bursts with fruitiness and a slightly creamy palate. I love this combination, but I tend to stay on the safe side and add one-quarter peach schnapps and three-quarters sangria. 

Pomegranate Juice

There’s something about pomegranate juice that makes it an excellent addition to almost any alcohol. So, it is no wonder it’s on this list. If you want to make your Costco sangria even fruiter, pomegranate juice is the way to go. 

This sweet and sour juice will freshen up the sangria giving you a very nice kick. My rule here is 50-50, but you can mix and match as you like best. 

Elderflower Liqueur

The sweet floral notes of the Elderflower perfectly accompany the tangy, fruity flavors in the Costco sangria creating a delightful result. Trust me, this combination is a real crowd-pleaser, and it will definitely be hit at your next gathering. 

Just pour the sangria into a pitcher and add a few splashes of Elderflower liqueur to taste, and you’re done. Yum!

Agave Syrup

If you want to give your Costco sangria a tequila twist, then agave syrup is the way to go. This natural sweetener will give your sangria a sweet and fresh flavor making it taste like a fruitier and much gentler tequila. 

I’m a huge fan of the tequila flavor, but I can’t handle its sharpness, so agave syrup in my sangria is all I need to start a fiesta on my palate. 

White Grape Juice

The white grape juice complements the fruity flavors of the sangria perfectly and adds a touch of sweetness that will make your taste buds dance with joy.

I’ve personally tried this hack before, and it’s a game-changer. Just pour in some white grape juice, mix it up, and voila! You have a delicious, sweet, and refreshing drink that’s perfect for any occasion.

Pineapple Juice

Pineapple juice is the little black dress among mixers. It goes with virtually any drink you can think of, and it does its job with style and class. I always put pineapple juice in my sangria because it adds a tangy note and a creamy texture. 

If you are a cocktail fan, you should definitely try this combination, as it will delight you with its richness and creaminess. 

Coconut Rum 

If you ask me, coconut rum is one of the best inventions in human history. It is so soft, creamy, and sweet you feel like you’re drinking clouds. Added in Costco sangria, coconut rum is as close to perfection as you will get that day, so don’t think twice before giving this idea a chance. 

Creamy, soft, fruity, and slightly tropical, your coconut rum Costco sangria will definitely be an experience you’ll want to repeat. 

Coke

Coke is an old classic when it comes to mixing drinks. It goes with absolutely everything, and it does its job perfectly. Coke will make everything happen if you want to add extra sweetness or texture to your sangria. 

For me, the bubbles are the magic. I simply love the sweet, sticky, and syrupy tones of the Coke mixed with the fruity and fresh sangria flavors. 

Hibiscus Tea 

Fruity and herbaceous at the same time, hibiscus tea Costco Sangria is the one for you if you like earthy and natural flavors combined with fruity and sweet notes. Just mix the tea in the sangria pitcher, and you have an excellent drink in under a minute. Add a few ice cubes to intensify the flavors.

My friend loves hibiscus tea in her sangria because she says it makes it taste less like alcohol, and she also loves the herbal tone. But she was very hesitant to try it out at first. So, you’ll never know what’s the perfect option for you if you don’t try out different things!