The Very Best Sangria in the World

by Sandi Marques

It's official, after some preliminary research on the subject of sangria, I would like to officially announce that there are as many variations of sangria as there are underwear in your drawer (unless its laundry day and you're reusing a dirty pair - poor you).

It never fails, every summer around this time, people ask me a lot of questions about summer cocktails and sangria. I thought I would devote this month's article to this lovely spanish originated beverage in honour of all those people entertaining, BBQ'ing and lazing back on the hammock. Sangria is indeed the summer beverage of choice for the true-blue, lazy people of summer - it's super easy to make.

Sangría is a wine punch (more formally and precisely, an aromatized wine) which originated in Spain. It typically consists of

• a red wine,
• chopped or sliced fruit,
• a sweetener such as honey,
• a small amount of added brandy, triple sec, or other spirits.

The ingredients in sangría vary, particularly in the type of fruit used, the kind of spirits added (if any), and the presence or lack of carbonation. White wine can be used instead of red, in which case the result is called sangría blanca. In some parts of southern Spain, sangría is called zurra and is made with peaches or nectarines.

Crucial to all successful sangrías is to allow time for the fruit flavors to blend with the rest of the ingredients. I recommend you prepare all the ingredients in advance (cutting of the fruit in thin slices or small cubes) and then let the liquid sit and steep in its own juices for at least four hours. Add the ice and carbonation at the very end, just before the drinks are poured.

Crucial to a good sangría is a good wine as a base, since in most recipes for sangría the wine remains the dominant ingredient. Now, here is where I come in - DO NOT under any circumstance skrimp on the wine. I cannot stress this enough. As any good chef will tell you, the truly great meals of this world can only be made with the highest quality and freshest ingredients. The same holds true for a good sangria. Can you say, 'I won't touch that Cruz Garcia stuff ever again at the SAQ?' And why should you? It's soooo easy to make a good sangria yourself. In fact, it is soooo easy to make, 'The Very Best Sangria in the World', because I have given you two recipes here. No excuses!!!

But seriously, when buying the red wine for your sangria, please consider the following:

• Buy a red wine at a price point that you can reasonably afford; about $12-$18 per bottle; the better the wine, the better the sangria.
• A good medium bodied red such as: California zinfandels, Argentinian malbecs, New World merlots from Australia, California, Canada or New Zealand and New World shiraz from California or Australia. You definitely want something that has enough pep to withstand all the fruit and brandy.
• If you wouldn't drink the red wine on its own, then don't buy it for sangria either.

I scoured all my resources and here are two fantastic recipes, tried and true by yours truly. If either one of these recipes don't knock your socks off, email me for a full refund!!!

Recipe 1

• 1/2 cup brandy
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/3 cup frozen lemonade concentrate
• 1/3 cup orange juice
• 1 (750 ml) bottle dry red wine
• 1/2 cup triple sec
• 1 lemon, sliced into rounds
• 1 orange, sliced into rounds
• 1 lime, sliced into rounds
• 1/4 cup white sugar (optional)
• 8 maraschino cherries
• 2 cups carbonated water or soda (optional)

DIRECTIONS: In a large pitcher or bowl, mix together the brandy, lemon juice, lemonade concentrate, orange juice, red wine, triple sec, and sugar. Float slices of lemon, orange and lime, and maraschino cherries in the mixture. Refrigerate overnight for best flavor. For fizzy sangria, add club soda just before serving.

Recipe 2

• 1 orange, sliced thin
• 1 lemon, sliced thin
• 2 tablespoons superfine granulated sugar, or to taste
• 1 bottle chilled dry red wine
• 1/2 cup cognac
• 1/4 cup orange liqueur, such as Grand Marnier or Cointreau
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 cup chilled seltzer or club soda
• Ice cubes

In a bowl, muddle the orange and lemon slices with the sugar with a wooden spoon. Add the red wine, cognac, orange liqueur, and orange juice. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Transfer to a punch bowl, chill until ready to serve and then stir in seltzer and add ice cubes.

Have a wonderful summer and cheers!

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