I’ve always loved sangria, it’s a drink I order often when I’m at a restaurant. And because I don’t remember the last time I dined at a restaurant, I hadn’t had a delicious glass of sangria in ages. Last week we had a couple of close friends we hadn’t seen in a very long time come over and the night was warm, so I thought Sangria would be the perfect drink to whip up and enjoy together.
Of course it doesn’t have to be warm weather to enjoy sangria. It’s a cocktail that is easy to personalize with fruits from whatever the current season is. However, there is just something about a glass of yummy sangria when the sun is bright and shining that makes it taste even better. I also love how beautiful it looks in a pitcher-it makes for a perfect centerpiece on a table.
The BEST EASY Sangria recipe
Servings: 8-10
Ingredients:
- 2 bottles rioja or tempranillo wine
- 2 apples sliced, any type except for green
- 1 large orange, sliced
- 1 large orange, juiced
- 1/3 cup Cointreau
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1/2 cup brandy OR dark spiced rum, I prefer orange or apple brandy-but the rum will work too
- 1 1/4 cup 100% pomegranate juice
- 1 1/4 cup ginger ale OR club soda
Directions:
Mix everything together, except for the ginger ale/club soda. Allow to chill over night or at least for 4 hours. The longer the better. When you’re ready to serve, top off the sangria with the ginger ale or club soda. Ginger ale will add some sweetness and club soda will just add the fizz-either works well!
I keep this sangria in my fridge up to 4 days (if it even lasts that long 😉) and it gets better and better as it sits.
NOTES:
- The flavor of juice you use is less important than just making sure of it’s quality. No sugary fake stuff, get the real nectar or 100% juice.
- Don’t skimp on the freshly squeezed lemon and orange-it makes ALL of the difference.
- Brandy is the best option thanks to it’s rich and full flavor, but dark spiced rum works well too. Again, I wouldn’t skimp on the quality here.
- I don’t add any sugar to my sangria, although many do, so I like to top it off with ginger ale right before serving for fizz and added sweetness. If you want to keep it even less sweet, opt for club soda instead.
- This sangria is rich and lovely tasting, but it does pack a punch you don’t taste at all. Just FYI 😉
