Sangria

I don't know about everyone else, but I really enjoy sipping on a nice cold drink with a friend or family member on a hot summer day.  One of the most delicious, and certainly most beautiful, of these drinks is sangria.  A great thing about sangria is you can make it however you want, based on your tastes and/or what you have on hand.  A pitcher of sangria is very eye catching and typically goes over very well at any gathering.  Below are some ways you can mix up this simple and delicious beverage.

Pictured above is a citrus sangria.  In the pitcher, and in the glasses, are slices of lemon, orange, and lime.  The liquid is a bottle of dry white wine, a smallish bottle of lime flavored sparkling water, a bit of simple syrup, and a bit--maybe a half cup--of tequila.  I didn't actually measure anything, so mix until it tastes good!

Sangria can be red, white, or mixed.  Use your favorite wine, mix with about the same amount of lemon lime soda (or ginger ale, or club soda, or a sparkling water and some sweetener...you get the idea), and and add your choice of fruits.  I have seen all sorts of fruit in sangria, including berries, citrus, apples, melon, stone fruits, grapes, and much more.  Use what is in season, what is available, or simply what you like.  Regardless, it's going to look pretty sliced or chopped up in the pitcher.  You can also add a bit of extra kick if you want.  Brandy or orange liqueur work very well, but add whatever sounds good to you, whether it be rum, tequila, limoncello, schnapps, whatever.  I have never made the exact same sangria twice, and you can get some really nice flavor combinations with the different fruits, wines, and mix-ins.

You can be pretty creative when making sangria, and as long as you have the key components--wine, carbonation, sweetener, fruit, extra spike if desired--it will probably be tasty. Forget what is considered traditional and make what sounds good!

Cheers,
Jillian