Sangria - Spain

Sangria, is a delicious, fruit-based wine "punch" with its traditional heritage well rooted in Spain. Typically, Sangria is made with red wine, fresh, seasonal fruit and a bit of bubbly water or citrus flavored soda. It is easy to make, easy to drink and a huge hit at summer get togethers - even for those who are not "into wine." While Spain is heralded as the creator of Sangria, countries all over the globe have adapted the recipe to make a fruit-filled wine beverage that is refreshing and easy to drink with a wide variety of foods.

A light, dry, young, acidic, unoaked, fruit forward red wine, usually Rioja, Tempranillo, or Grenache in Spain; other reds that work well include French wines such as Gamay or Beaujolais, and Italian wines such as Grignolino, Bardolino, Dolcetto, Freisa, or Lambrusco.

Chopped or sliced fruit (often orange, lemon, apple, peach, berries, pineapple; occasionally melon, grape, or mango)

A sweetener such as honey, sugar, simple syrup, orange juice, and/or fruit nectar

A small amount of added brandy, triple sec, or other spirits and ice

Carbonated soda, in some recipes

Classic Sangria

Ingredients:

1 orange, sliced
1 lemon, sliced
1 lime, sliced
2 tablespoons superfine granulated sugar
1 bottle spanish red wine
1/2 cup cognac
1/4 cup orange liqueur
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 cup chilled seltzer water (Lemonade)

Directions:

Wash and slice fruit. Dissolve sugar in cognac and orange luqueur. Add sugar, cognac and orange liqueur and fruit to a pither or punch bowl. Pour in wine. Stir to mix in fruit.