You’ll know summer is here when the pitchers of Sangria start to flow.
I wait all year for those two weeks during the summer when I travel from the West Coast to the East Coast to visit my family. That first day back is always the best. The pool is open, my dad is behind the grill firing up some hot dogs and hamburgers, and my mom and sister are in the kitchen whipping up a giant pitcher of ice-cold sangria. My nephews are playing in the pool with my brother, and life can’t get any better.
I’m a few months away from my vacation back home, and am literally counting the days. I can don my loudest Aloha shirt, park my butt in a lounger, crack open some books by Fleming or Clive Cussler (great summer brain candy) and have a few glasses of my family’s delicious and potent sangria. It’ll be then that I know I can breathe deep and fully relax.
I’m reminded of the first time I ever had this wonderful drink. It was in Manhattan at a tapas restaurant, and unfortunately, I can’t recall its name. But I do remember the little plates of scrumptious foods and sauces… and of course, glass after glass of potent, fruit-infused sangria. I started wondering who the genius was that invented this simple and refreshing elixir.
The style of this beverage can be traced all the way back to the ancient Greeks and Romans. A concoction known as hippocras was imbibed with regularity. It was a combination of wine, sugar, fruits and spices, and was often drunk out of necessity, as the water of the time wasn’t exactly safe to drink without alcohol added to it. Or those guys just knew how to party.
The sangria we know and love today originated in Spain. Its popularity skyrocketed in the United States after the 1964 World’s Fair, where it was served in that country’s pavilion. Ever since, the drink has been well-loved at pool parties the world over.
What is the Best Alcohol to Use in a Sangria?
I will usually go for mid-priced bottles of wine when mixing up some sangria, as the cheaper stuff will often give me a headache. Anything that’s too fancy and I can’t bring myself to mix it with anything. Try a few different bottles of red for this recipe and see what works best for your palate.
Ingredients
- 1 medium orange sliced into thin rounds
- 1 medium lemon sliced into thin rounds
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brandy
- 1 bottle 750 ml dry red wine such as Rioja or Garnacha
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 cup club soda chilled
Instructions
- In a large pitcher, combine the orange slices, lemon slices, and sugar. Use a wooden spoon to muddle the fruit and sugar together until the sugar starts to dissolve.
- Pour in the brandy and muddle again to infuse the fruit flavors.
- Add the entire bottle of red wine and orange juice to the pitcher. Stir well to combine and dissolve any remaining sugar.
- Refrigerate the sangria for at least 2 hours, or up to 24 hours to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Just before serving, stir in the chilled club soda for a refreshing fizz.
- Serve the sangria over ice in glasses, making sure to include some of the fruit from the pitcher in each glass.
Nutrition
What kind of glassware and garnish is used for sangria?
Fill up some rocks glasses with ice and pour your sangria right in, along with some of the booze-infused fruit. Sip and repeat.
What kind of fruit is used in sangria?
Our recipe is more citrus-based, calling for oranges and lemons. But you can also add strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, etc… any fruit you like, honestly.
Sangria Variations
When the heat is on and the sun hangs high in the sky causing you to sweat, nothing beats a pitcher of ice-cold sangria to help cool you off. And if you’re looking for more of this style of libation, look no further than right here at Twist & Toast. We have all manner of easy-to-make cocktail recipes that you can whip up today, right in the comfort of your own home. Check a few of them out below.
- Mulled Wine Sangria – This drink isn’t just for the summertime, as this mulled wine version is a perfect Christmas tipple.
- Sweet July Rose Sangria – Lillet Blanc, Chambord and rosé combine to create this refreshing light summer treat.
- Blood Orange Amaretto – A fruity and strong cocktail that’ll wash all of your worries away.
- Jingle Juice Holiday Punch – Spread some festive cheer with this wintery party favorite.
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