Sangria

Sangria is a wine punch from Spain and Portugal, which in both languages translates to “bloody”.  There are many variations to Sangria so the alochol content varies greatly between blends.  In most recipes, however, wine is the dominant ingredient and acts as the base of the punch.  All sangria consists of red or white wine and some chopped or sliced fruit.  When peaches or nectarines are addd, like in southern Spain, the punch becomes known as Zurra. In certain regions of Portugal cinnamon is added with the sweetener so that it can spice up the flavor.

Sangria typically contains wine, sliced fruit (often orange, lemon, apple, and/or peach; sometines kiwifruit or banana.  A sweetener such as honey, sugar or orange juice is also often added.  A small amount of brandy, triple sec, or other spirits can be added to intensify the taste.  Mix all the fruit, wine and alcohol together and allow it to sit for several hours in your regrigerator to allow the flavors of the fruit to blend with the other ingredients.  Before serving you have the option to add ice and carbonated water (if you like).  

Classic Spanish Sangria

Ingredients

1 lime

1 lemon

1 orange

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup cognac (3 Kors Cognac for example)

1 bottle red wine (750 ml) (Montagne Noire Red for instance)

2 tablespoons lemon juice

6 oz Soda water

Directions

• Slice up all of the fruit.
• Put most of the sliced fruit in a pitcher, saving some for garnishing.
• Stir in brandy and sugar; refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Mix in wine, lemon juice and stir. Again, refrigerate for an hour.
• Just before serving add in ice and top with soda water.
• Serve with fruit slices as garnish.

White Sangria or Sangria Blanco

Ingredients

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

1 cinnamon stick

2 medium oranges, sliced

1 lemon, sliced

1 lime, sliced

4 strawberries

3 bottles dry white wine (Montagne Noire White for example), chilled (750 ml each)

3 cups club soda, chille

Directions

• Pre-slice the oranges, lemon and lime.
• In medium saucepan, combine sugar, water, cinnamon stick and mix well simmering for five minutes over low heat.
• Remove from heat and add the fruit and let cool for at least 20 minutes.
• Remove cinnamon stick from fruit mixture and pour in club soda if you wish.
• Serve!

Champagne Sangria Recipe

In Spain they would use cava, which is the Spanish sparkling wine. However, they also like French Champagne in Spain as well, use any other sparkling wine you enjoy.

Ingredients
3oz triple sec
3oz cognac (3 Kors Cognac for example)
2oz rum
2oz vodka (Belvedere Vodka for example)
1 cup strawberries, blended
chopped up fruit as desired (apple, mango, tangerine, pear, peach)
1 bottle sparkling wine (Moet et Chandon Brut N/V for example)

            Directions

• Pre-slice the apple, mango, tangerine, pear, peaches
• Blend 1 cup of strawberries
• Mix fruit, blended strawberries with 3 oz. Triple sec, 3 oz. Brandy, 2 oz. Rum, 2 oz. Vodka and let sit overnight (or as long as you can)
• Before serving add Champagne or sparkling wine
• Serve and enjoy!