Classic and Summer Sangria

I can’t imagine any summer soirée that wouldn’t benefit from a pitcher of sangria plunked down in the middle of the table within easy reach of everyone in attendance. From a night in with the girls to a large backyard barbecue, there is no occasion where this Spanish-style wine wouldn’t be appreciated.

I’m partial to serving both red and white varieties to a large group. Each is a welcome addition to any gathering (or weeknight dinner, in our case) and has the ability to stretch two bottles of inexpensive wine a very long way. That’s the wonderful thing about serving sangria: it's a cost-effective entertaining trick everyone should keep in their back pocket, and the use of mediocre wines are perfectly acceptable because once the sugar, juice, and liqueur make it into the mix, it’s no longer possible to tell what type of vino you began with.

The base recipes below can easily be customized to include the flavours you’re fond of. I’ve mentioned some variations at the bottom of each, and feel confident that no two batches ever taste the same in my own home. The fruity bits change often, and sometimes I use more or less liqueur depending on how many people I’m serving, and while the inclusion of sparkling water is completely optional, I do suggest adding it. The beverage is potent and you’ll likely find your friends lying under the table before the pitcher is empty if you decide to renounce it.

Classic (Red Wine) Sangria

As summer beverages go, sangria is almost always a hit. Feel free to change up the fruit or the juice, making your own version of this easy drink for outdoor entertaining.

• Lemon, lime, and orange slices (10-15 pieces total)
• ¼ cup superfine sugar
• 1 750-ml bottle red wine
• ½ cup liqueur (brandy, triple sec, Grand Marnier)
• 2 cups orange juice
• 2 cups sliced seasonal fresh fruit  (apples, berries, cherries, stone fruit, etc.)

To finish:

• Ice
• Sparkling water

Place the lemon, lime, and orange slices in the bottom of a pitcher and sprinkle the sugar over the fruit. Top with wine, liqueur, and juice; mix well. Add additional fruits and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour (the longer the better – overnight is great). Pour the sangria into ice-filled glasses and top with sparkling water.

Note: If your pitcher or serving vessel is large enough, add the ice and sparkling water to the sangria before serving. You can also drink this without the sparkling water, but it is potent and you’ll likely be lying under the table before the pitcher is empty.

Variation: Omit the juice and sparkling water and replace with sparkling orange juice or lemonade.

Summer (White Wine) Sangria

White grape juice is usually only sold in large quantities. After making the sangria, I like to pour the leftovers into an ice-cube tray the day before I serve my drink and use the cubes in my glasses.

• Lemon, lime, and orange slices (10-15 pieces total)
• ¼ cup superfine sugar
• 1 750-ml bottle dry white wine, chilled
• ½ cup liqueur (brandy, triple sec, Grand Marnier)
• 2 cups white grape juice
• 2 cups sliced seasonal fruits (cherries, berries, rhubarb, peaches, stone fruits, pineapple, melon, etc.)

To Finish:

• Ice (see headnote)
• Sparkling water
• Fresh mint leaves

Place the lemon, lime, and orange slices in the bottom of a pitcher and sprinkle the sugar over the fruit. Top with wine, liqueur, and juice; mix well. Add additional fruits and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour (the longer the better – overnight is great). Pour the sangria into ice-filled glasses, top with sparkling water and garnish with mint leaves. 

Note: If your pitcher or serving vessel is large enough, add the ice and sparkling water to the sangria before serving. You can also drink this without the sparkling water, but it is potent and you’ll likely be lying under the table before the pitcher is empty.

Variations:

1. Replace the liqueur with rum and the grape juice with grapefruit juice. Add pink grapefruit slices to the pitcher in lieu of the oranges.

2. Omit the juice and sparkling water and replace with sparkling lemonade or lemon/lime soda.

Comments

[Carol S-B]

Picked up some good cheap plonk on the way home today after reading this-- thanks, Jan!

[Jan Scott]

So fun, Carol! Are you going for the white or red variety? Let me know how you like it. 

[Marry@MosaicGlobe]

now this combination is really refreshing. the sweet sour tastes.. ohh Jan you're great