How to Make Sangria

If you are looking for an alcoholic drink for a large party, or something special to serve with a spicy meal, then you need to learn how to make Sangria. Like all drinks, sangria is a matter of taste. I know people who make it with bottled orange juice and sugar. I also know people who make their Sangria with cinnamon and cloves and let it sit in the sun to spice up. How you prefer to make it is up to you. The one thing that all Sangria recipes have in common is that they are delicious! Sangria is refreshing and it tastes great. It tastes even better the next day or even the day after that.

The basic ingredients for Sangria are red wine and fruit. Lots of red wine and lots of fruit. You also need a large container. I like a huge pitcher, or an urn that allows you to pour the sangria out, and a big wooden spoon to scoop out the fruit.

So, here is the basic recipe for sangria. I buy the big bottles of burgundy from the supermarket. You need several oranges, limes, a lemon, some brandy, red and green apples, and whatever other fruit you want. You can also add a small can of seven up.

Wash your fruit. Cut it into cubes and add it to the container. Add a few shots of brandy. Squeeze an orange and one or two limes into the mix to add sweetness. Add some seven up to taste. Stir it all up, and let it sit for a few hours, or overnight is even better. Sangria is a drink made better by time. The fruit juices blend with the wine, and the color changes and it all tastes better. Serve your sangria over a large glass filled with ice, and then scoop a few pieces of fruit over the top. The apples taste delicious. I put lots of apples in just to eat them when my sangria is finished.

You can try any variations on this theme that you want. Sangria is good with grapes and strawberries added. Don't add too much lemon, since it is bitter. I find that the best way to develop the taste is with the lime. You really need that for great sangria.

So now, that you know how to make sangria, drink and enjoy. It is great with spicy food, like jambalaya, or Spanish food. Really, it can make everything better!