Friday, April 30, 2010

Sangria makes perfect warm weather drink


It will be staying warm soon, and with that, it's time for outdoor parties, barbecues, showers, weddings, etc. A perfect drink for any of these or more casual afternoons on the patio is sangria.

Originating in Spain, sangria gets it's name from the Spanish word for blood - sangre and is usually made with red wines, although you can make awesome sangria from white, rose, or sparkling wines. A beautiful thing about sangria is that besides a few common ingredients, you can adjust your recipe to what ingredients you have available and to your taste. Don't bother with the "Sangria Wines" out there, it's too easy to make fresh, great tasting sangria yourself.

Basic sangria consists of wine, fruit, and some sort of bubbly water or citrus flavored soda. Many recipes add brandy and/or orange liqueur (or triple sec). A good proportion being a shot and a half of brandy per 1 bottle of wine and/or a shot or so of triple sec. Again, let your taste determine how much booze you add - start with a little and you can always add. On a hot, humid day you might want to avoid the higher proof ingredients all together.

Here's a list of ingredients to get you started:

Large pitcher (clear is best so you can see all the nice colored fruit and wine)

Ice

1 bottle of inexpensive, fruity, less tannic red wine like a Spanish red, or Syrah, or if needing large quantity and going cheap Gallo Hearty Burgundy in 1.5L or larger will work fine. For white sangria try a pinot grigio, riesling, cava, or moscato.

1-2 cans Sprite, Fresca, Sierra Mist, 7-up (add to taste)

1 lemon, 1 lime, 1 orange cut into small slices (save some for garnish). Grapefruit, apples, peaches will work also. Strawberries are nice in white sangria.

Brandy, Orange liqueur (Grand Marnier, triple sec)

Sugar (to taste)

Mix ingredients and serve over ice. If you have time, mix the wine, fruit and booze together and set in the fridge for several hours, then add the soda before serving.

If you're looking for good Sangria locally, a place with a fantastic reputation is La Bodega - 703 Southwest Boulevard, (816) 472-8272. Stop in, have a pitcher of Sangria, some tapas, and who knows, maybe they'll share some of their sangria making secrets for your next batch of sangria at home.

Cheers!

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