How to Make Sangria

Red wine sangria is a traditional Spanish beverage that is now enjoyed all over the world. Fresh fruit and fruit juice or brandy are added to dry red wine, then the whole mixture is chilled for anywhere from several hours to several days, allowing the flavors to infuse. It is then served cold, sometimes with the addition of sparkling water for a refreshing sangria spritzer!

Sangria is one of my favorite alcoholic beverages, especially in warm weather. I'm lucky enough to have the best Spanish restaurant in the Bay Area really nearby, and I love sitting at the bar there for a few hours, enjoying a few tapas with a glass of this refreshing grown-up "punch." But I can't afford to do that every day, either in time or money, so I have developed my own red sangria recipe to make at home!

At this point, there are endless variations of the traditional recipe, with berries, tropical fruit, or using white wine. Some have vodka or other hard liquor added, for those who like to party a little harder. Personally, I always love the classics, so this is a recipe for a traditional Spanish-style sangria with citrus fruit and green apple.

The beauty of this beverage is that you can use a less expensive red wine than you would usually drink by itself. You do not want to make sangria with the absolute cheapest vintage you can find, because with all the sweetness coming from the apple brandy and the natural sugars of the fruit and juice, you can quickly give yourself a terrible hangover.

The best wine for sangria is a reasonably-priced dry, somewhat fruity varietal. It should not be too sweet on its own, for the reasons mentioned above. Instead, opt for something along the lines of a Garnacha (also called "Grenache") or Tempranillo. Here in Northern California we are spoiled for options, so if you cannot find an appropriate bottle of either of those in your price range, Zinfandel or Malbec both work well, too.

Traditional Red Sangria Recipe 

Ingredients:

  • 1 750-ml bottle dry, fruity red wine
  • 1/2 cup no-sugar-added orange juice
  • 1/2 cup apple brandy
  • 1 orange
  • 1 lemon
  • 2 limes
  • 1 green apple

Instructions:

  1. Pour the whole bottle of wine into a large pitcher or wide-mouth glass bottle, making sure you have plenty of extra room. If you do not own a vessel big enough, divide the wine evenly between two containers of the same size.
  2. Add the orange juice and the brandy (dividing evenly if you are using more than one bottle or pitcher).
  3. Chop all fruit into uniform slices or chunks, depending on which look you prefer, and add that to the wine mixture.
  4. Gently stir everything with a wooden spoon to combine, then cover and chill. For best results, let sit at least 4 hours to allow all the flavors to come together. 
  5. Enjoy!

Sangria Spritzer Recipe

To stretch this to serve a larger crowd, consider serving it as a spritzer. Put a few ice cubes in each glass, then fill the glass halfway with sangria (being sure to include some fruit in each glass). Then, simply top up with sparkling water.

If you like the bubbles, but don't want to dilute the alcohol content that much, add a splash of vodka or light rum to the cup with the ice before pouring the wine and water.



How do you like your sangria? Straight up? With ice? Bubbly and spiked? Let me know in the comments below.

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