Sip Into Spring With Sangria

Sip Into Spring With Sangria

Try A Fun Sangria Recipe
With spring swiftly approaching, some of us may be worried about what to do with our red wine. Just as their are summer cocktails, there are spring and summer wines, and reds often do not fall into that category.

Their full-bodied flavor and heavy texture can often be at odds with the heat, driving many of us to ignore our favorite Cabernet Sauvignon and indulge in a nice Sauvignon Blanc instead.

But, just because the weather is getting warmer, that is no reason to completely ignore the reds that you did not get a chance to open during the winter months. Nope, this is an opportunity to make lemons into lemonade, or to be more specific wine into Sangria.

The tasty Spanish-cocktail is easy to make and has many variations. After spending some time in Spain I learned that the mixture is supposed to be a garbage drink, much like Jungle Juice in which you can throw in almost anything or everything. Though Sangria is often thought of as special drink, it really is just a party punch that taste delicious and packs a punch. Those who are brave can make up their own recipes, but we’ve got one for those who may not be ready to experiment too much with their favorite Shiraz.

When making Sangria you can use any red wine, but more fruit-forward varietals like Shiraz and Grenache may make for a more satisfying drink.

This recipe is simple and straight-forward, from the Food Network.

Ingredients:
  • 2 bottles chilled dry red wine, like Rioja
  • 1 cup brandy
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 cup superfine granulated sugar
  • 2 oranges, cut into thin rounds
  • 2 Meyer lemons, cut into thin rounds
  • 3 Key limes, cut into thin rounds
  • 2 apples, cored and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
  • 2 cups cold club soda


Directions:

In a large pot or bowl, combine all the ingredients except for the fruit and club soda. Stir well until the sugar dissolves. Add the fruit before placing the mixture in the refrigerator to chill. Before serving, add the club soda.


There are a lot of alterations that can be made to this traditional recipe. Add rum instead of brandy or use strawberries instead of apples.  Also, for those who enjoy a sweeter drink, use a lemon-lime soda in place of club soda. This a drink that can easily be altered to taste so have fun and enjoy!