Steph's Pick - Sangria

I'm always on the hunt for a good fruity drink - what can I say, I'm a girl. With spring nearing an end and summer right on her heels, refreshing drinks are always welcome in our home!

Sangria, a popular "wine punch" from Spain, is one of our favorites. This crowd-pleaser is typically served over ice and consists of red or white wine, fresh fruit, various juices and added spirits (brandy & triple sec) resulting in a refreshing drink loved by both wine-lovers and non-wine drinkers.

Because it is loved by so many, I especially like to make a pitcher for parties and get-togethers in the warm weather months. And because it actually tastes better when chilled overnight, it's one last thing to do the day of the gathering.

Here are just a couple recipes that I've used in the past. However, you'll find that this drink has many variations - feel free to browse the web for other recipes that may fit meet your party and taste-bud requirements.


Delicious Sangria (Red)

1/4 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup frozen lemonade concentrate
1/3 cup orange juice
1/4 cup white sugar
1 (750 ml) bottle dry red wine
1/2 cup triple sec
1/2 cup brandy
1 orange
1 lemon
1 lime
8 maraschino cherries

Directions:
Mix brandy, lemon juice, lemonade concentrate, orange juice, red wine, triple sec, and sugar in a large bowl. Float slices of lemon, orange and lime, and maraschino cherries in the mixture. For best results, refrigerate overnight to give the fruit flavors time to soak in. Enjoy!


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White Wine Sangria

1 Bottle Dry White Wine
½ cup orange liqueur
1 cup Sugar
1 unpeeled lime, thinly sliced (remove seeds)
1 unpeeled lemon, thinly sliced (remove seeds)
1 unpeeled small orange, thinly sliced (remove seeds)
1½ cups sliced fresh strawberries
2 cups chilled sparkling water or club soda
Garnish: whole strawberries with hulls

Directions:
Combine the wine, liqueur sugar and fruit in a large pitcher and refrigerate overnight. Pour into cocktail glasses filled with ice and top off with club soda. For the garnish, slice the strawberries partway, form the bottom up, and place one on the rim of each cocktail glass or wine goblet.

(Recipe Source: Southern Cocktails. Denise Gee)