Appetizers & Sangria Party Ideas

My favorite way to host friends has always been a simple appetizers and drinks party, and starting with sangrias as the theme makes this gathering a crowd pleaser.

We recently spent 10 days in Barcelona and we had sangrias and tapas almost every day! Inspired by our experience, I’m sharing snack ideas, recipes, serving suggestions and tips to host your own get-together with friends and neighbors.

This would make a great Spanish themed party for adults, or a fun birthday celebration, too.

Simple Snacks

Start with easy snack ideas that don’t require too much work to prepare.

• Dress up store bought queso dip by mixing in cooked Mexican chorizo or spicy sausage. Serve with regular tortilla chips or seasoned varieties (Lime flavor, jalapeno flavor, black bean flavor) .
• Provide one or two kinds of hummus – again, store bought is fine. Make one the classic version and the other with a flavorful twist like roasted red pepper or roasted garlic. Dress it up by drizzling with Spanish extra virgin olive oil, and serve pita crisps on the side.

• Make mini boards or one large charcuterie board to graze on. Stick with the theme and serve Iberico ham, and Manchego cheese.
• Set out a bowl of Marcona almonds, or mixed nuts for easy noshing. And put out a bowl of Spanish olives. Provide toothpicks to grab them and a small dish for the discarded pits.

PARTY TIP: Keep non-perishable pantry items on hand for easy last minute entertaining. Crackers and chips, refried beans, unopened cheese dips, and nuts are all good options.

Appetizers to Serve

Sangria is lightly sweetened with multiple layers of flavor. The best food pairings are those that are savory or salty. Southwestern flavors are also a natural pairing.

Here are some easy tapas that go well with sangria.

• Spiced black bean flatbread starts with store-bought flatbread crust, a can of refried beans, and ground chorizo (cooked). Top it with fresh ingredients and then cut into small triangles for individual servings. They are fantastic and easy to make! This olive tapenade flatbread is another good option.
• These Cuban appetizer crostini are so full of flavor and kind of addictive.

• Fruit salsa is refreshing and delicious served with tortilla chips. This one is mango, but pineapple, papaya, or strawberry salsas are also great.
• Another traditional food that pairs well with sangria is empanadas. They can be made ahead and frozen too.

Some of the more substantial appetizers we had on our trip were baked scallops served in shells, potatoes bravas (roasted potatoes topped with aioli), all types of montaditos (Spanish crostini) like this cheddar cheese and bacon version, and marinated asparagus.

Spanish tomato bread is the quintessential tapa served everywhere in Barcelona, and is divine!

Some less traditional recipes, but still delicious with sangria, are these ham & cheese puff pastry pinwheels. I guarantee everyone will love them.

Another crostini option is chicken & artichoke bruschetta. And Southwestern style pierogi appetizers are unexpected but the flavors are on point.

Add saucy kielbasa bites with only 3 ingredients! Incorporate some spice with jalapeno poppers with blue cheese & bacon or a baked version with cheddar and bacon.

Sangria Recipes

You can’t have a sangria party without a big batch of sangria! Most of the ones we had in Barcelona were red wine based or Cava based, and they relied heavily on Fanta as a mix in.

To be honest, I prefer these mouth watering sangria recipes I make at home.

• If you’re looking for a classic recipe, make this easy red wine sangria.
• I love the flavor in this spiced rum sangria. It’s got those delicious baking spices that add complexity.
• This white peach sangria is a real crowd pleaser! It’s got white wine, but you can make it with Cava, too.
• This apple sangria is perfect for late summer heading into the fall and holidays. It’s got apple whiskey, apple juice and cinnamon schnapps.

Party Ideas and Decor

Add some style with wooden elements to complement the outdoor setting, and use a neutral color palette with pops of gold and amber.

Use wood cutting boards to serve the food on. Incorporate different levels for height and to make things easy to reach.

Buy a bunch of sunflowers and put them into a pitcher vase to decorate the table.

Set up a few chairs so guests can sit and relax. Bring a small table outside so guests have a place to set their drink down when needed.

Next time you want to entertain with a laid back approach, look to Spain as your inspiration and serve sangria with tapas and appetizers. It’s a delight for the taste buds!