Hot Topic: Sangria: A Spanish Twist on Wine
By WineIntro.com
Updated May 3, 2010
Sangria recipes are the inspiration for many red wine punch styles. Sangria as a named drink was created in Spain and made popular in the US at the 1964 World's Fair. It normally has red wine, brandy, and fruit. However, it can be made in just about any style you can imagine.
Sangria as a mixture did not spring from the ether in the 1960s - or even in the 1800s. Rather, the idea of mixing wine, alcohol and fruit has been around for many centuries. For most European parties this concoction was the center of attention - a big bowl full of fruit and wine that people would ladel into cups or glasses.
The beauty of sangria is that you can make it to perfectly match the event. You can use oranges, lemon and citrus fruit to give freshness to a hot day. You can create a dense blend of blueberries and blackberries to warm you up at a wintry celebration.
It's no surprise that in modern times Sangria is the perfect party punch that just about everybody loves! Fresh, fruity, delicious, Sangria can be made in any number of styles from spicy to mild to rich to bubbly. You can make sangria with red wine, white wine, and even sparkling wine. The sparkling wine from Spain is known as cava.
Here is a recipe which is traditional in Mexico, combining the heritage of Spain with the new found treats of the Mexican climate.
Ingredients
1 bottle red wine
1 cup Tequila
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup caster sugar
1/4 cup lime juice
2 limes or 1 apple, sliced in small cubes or wedges
Directions
Start with a pitcher or large bowl. Add in ice cubes about half way up. Add red wine, tequila, orange juice, and lime juice. Mix gently. Now stir in the sugar until it dissolves well. Pour into thick glasses and toss in a few limes or apples. Serve immediately!
Note: Caster sugar is a sugar that dissolves very easily in liquid. For this reason it's often used in drinks. It's more powdery than normal grains of sugar, although not as super-light as confectioner's sugar. If all you have is normal sugar, grind it slightly in your blender.
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