Sangria for Summer

Happy Weekend Fellow Foodies!

A few days ago I had a craving for my favorite summertime drink-Sangria. What exactly is Sangria you ask? Well..... Sangria is a wine punch typical of Spain, Portugal and Argentina. It normally consists of wine, chopped fruit, a sweetener, and a small amount of added brandy. Chopped fruit can include orange, lemon, lime, apple, peach, melon, berries, pineapple, grape, kiwifruit and mango. A sweetener such as honey, sugar, syrup, or orange juice is added.

Sangria comes from the Spanish word "SANGRE" which means "BLOOD". I gotta admit, it does look a lot like blood in your glass.

There are a several variations on the original, red wine (typically Rioja) and brandy are used, but you can mix and match your wines and liqueurs. Here is the recipe I use-with a few variations at the bottom!

Julie's Summer Sangria
2 cups chopped fruit of your choosing (I used apples, pitted cherries, lime and orange slices, and orange zest)
1/2 cup brandy (or dark rum)
1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar or honey (depending on your personal sweet tooth
1 bottle Spanish Rioja (*see note)



Combine the fruit, brandy and sugar. Allow the mix the sit for 8-24 hours in your fridge to mellow the flavors. Place the mix into a heavy glass pitcher, and add your wine. Stir, and chill for a few minutes more before serving over ice. Enjoy on your porch, next to your pool, or at the beach (ONLY if they allow alcohol-of course). Pour, drink, repeat!

* If you would like a lighter, sweeter Sangria, you can buck tradition, and use peach schnapps and a light white wine. I like to use a Portuguese wine called Vinho Verde, as it is sparkling, and only 9% alcohol.

PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY!!!!!!!

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