Recipe: Red Wine Summer Sangria

If you’re entertaining guests this summer, Sangria is the perfect refreshing cocktail to serve at your party. Originally from Spain, Sangria is a wine based cocktail with a bit of brandy, fresh fruit and a hint of sweetener. Always a crowd pleaser, Sangria is not only easy to make, but it can turn an inexpensive bottle of wine into an irresistible refreshment.

For best flavor make up the Sangria the night before and allow to chill in the refrigerator .  Add the ginger ale to the Sangria pitcher just before serving so the Sangria can maintain those lovely carbonated bubbles.

For the fruit we’ve added limes, oranges, apples and strawberries, but you can also add other fruits, like nectarines, blacberries, blueberries, pineapple and starfruit. The choice is yours!

Sangria is wonderful because it is so delicious. But its almost a shame to make it with an expensive wine. Use a fruity inexpensive red for this recipe. Under $10 per bottle.  We recommend using a Spanish Tempranillo or Garnacha.  But a merlot or cabernet would work just fine too!

Servings

6-8 (recipe easily doubles or triples for larger parties )

Ingredients

1 (750 ml) bottle Inexpensive Fruity Style Red Wine (Try Tempranillo, Garnacha or Merlot), chilled
1⁄4 cup lime juice
1⁄2 cup orange juice
2 ounces (1/4 cup) brandy
1 ounce (1/8 cup) triple-sec
2 TBS Simple Syrup
1 1/4 cups ginger ale, chilled
2 oranges, sliced
2 limes, sliced
2 apples sliced or cubed
1 cup strawberries, sliced
ice

Directions

1.  Begin by pouring these into a large pitcher:  red wine, lime & orange juices, brandy, triple-sec & simple syrup.

2. Stir and place in refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours. Overnight is best.

3. Just before serving add the ginger ale and sliced fruit to the pitcher.

4. To serve:  Fill a glass with ice and ladle in the chilled sangria. Make sure to include the slices of wine soaked fruit in each glass.

5. Enjoy!