Sun, sea, siestas and Sangria – the Spaniards certainly benefit from the very best elements of summer. But while we Brits may lose out to the Spanish on the sun, sea and siesta front, there’s nothing to stop us celebrating a warm summer’s day with a brimming cup full of fruity, fresh Sangria.
Read on for some background information and share your own recipe in the comments below.
This classic red wine punch is the perfect partner to an array of tapas, or a summer picnic, barbecue or garden party and it tends to be a winner even with those who normally find red wine too ‘heavy’ for summer drinking.
Served chilled, Sangria is deceptively drinkable – despite its fruity taste, the drink tends to pack a real alcoholic punch. Of course, the beauty of making your own red wine Sangria is that the alcohol content can be altered according to personal taste and it’s even possible to make a booze-free version for children and non-drinkers.
Another great thing about making Sangria is that it is pretty much foolproof. Unlike many red wine cocktails that require exact measures and painstaking attention to detail, making Sangria is essentially a case of throwing the ingredients together and letting guests help themselves. This is great news for hosts planning a barbecue or summer party, as it is possible to leave pitchers of ready-made Sangria in the fridge, meaning less time preparing drinks and more time for cooking and socialising.
There’s no real right and wrong way to make Sangria, either. Some people swear by adding lemonade and an assortment of fruits, others keep it simple with red wine, apples, oranges, lemons and sugar. The drink’s popularity is such that there are now countless inventive takes on the original, some of which even involve white wine in place of red. And while Sangria is a classic summer drink, there’s no reason to steer clear completely once temperatures start to drop. Mixed with winter vegetables and a hearty dose of warming brandy, Sangria can be just the thing to keep out the cold on a chilly winter evening.
But while it is possible to be as inventive as you like while making a jug of Sangria, there’s really nothing simpler or more delicious than the classic recipe, which is tangy, tasty and very affordable to make.
Firstly, you’ll need to choose your red wine. And it’s good news for red wine fans on a budget, as you really won’t need to splash out on anything fancy. In fact, since you’ll be adding sugar, fruit and more to the wine, it’s really best to opt for something cheap and cheerful. The five pound mark should be more than adequate for a Sangria red wine. To keep to tradition, you might want to opt for a Spanish red wine, but this is far from a hard and fast rule.
The number of bottles you will need will depend on the number of people you are catering for, but try to keep to the same wine throughout to avoid confusing the tastebuds. Many people like to add an extra ‘kick’ to the red wine and brandy is the preferred tipple of choice for a lot of Sangria fans. Vodka, fruit liqueur or fruit schnapps also work well and you can always play around with different shots until you find your favourite.
Next, it’s time to add the fruit. Lemon, lime and orange are the basics for Sangria and will add a refreshing citrus tang to the cocktail. But there’s no reason to stop there. Adding fresh, seasonal fruits will make the drink even more delicious, so choose your fruits according to the time of year. During the summer, strawberries, raspberries and cherries are absolutely delicious additions to a jug of Sangria.
If the red wine you are using is very dry, you will want to add sugar to the recipe to taste. Some people like to add orange juice to the mix, which will add a little sweetness, but you might still want to add a couple more spoonfuls of sugar if the Sangria tastes a little tart. The key to a really successful Sangria is to leave it to sit overnight, absorbing the flavours of the fruit. When it’s ready to serve, add a little lemonade (or sparkling water) to add a dash of fizz and pour over ice cubes to keep things cool.
And that’s it – it really couldn’t be simpler. Just add good company, a blazing barbecue and warm weather and you can relive those heady days spent under the Spanish sun. And if the British weather fails to deliver the goods, the Sangria will taste just as good when drunk around the dining table.
Do you have your own special Sangria recipe to share below?
