Recipe - Sangria de Vino Tinto (Red Wine Sangria)

Sangria—The word that once meant ‘blood’ is now one of the most popular drinks in the world. This refreshing concoction, usually made of fruit soaked in red wine, is a refreshing summer drink enjoyed around the world. But what are its origins? What is the history of sangria? In order to discover the true history of sangria, we have to go back hundreds of years, when the world seemed much larger, modern history was unwritten, and vineyards were beginning to spread across the Iberian peninsula. And the people who did this—the people who planted the ancient vineyards of Spain—did not arrive peacefully. They arrived spilling blood. They were the Romans. This was around 200 BC. They conquered Spain. They planted the vineyards that would one day become responsible for the very first sip of sangria. The local citizens, in their quest for refreshment, and alcoholic enjoyment, created fruit punches from the red wines they were now enjoying. They called these drinks sangria. For they were the color of blood, and packed a punch because they were often fortified with a ‘punch’ of brandy. This also explains why red wine is the most commonly used base for sangria—because those very Romans who planted vineyards thousands of years ago discovered that red grape varietals produced the best wine. Thus red grapes were planted, red wine was made, and red wine sangria was born.

Ingredients

1 bottle Red table wine
1 Orange with skin, diced into 1/2” cubes
1 Lemon with skin, diced into 1/2” cubes
2 Peaches, diced into 1/2” cubes
1 Apple, diced into 1/2” cubes
2 cups Soda (Club Soda, sparkling water, or lemon-lime soda - we prefer 7up™)
1 cup Liquór (Spanish Brandy, Cognac, or Gran Marnier)
1 small can frozen lemonade concentrate
sugar to taste
Cubed Ice

Prep Time/ Cook Time

15 minutes preparation, plus 30 minutes to several hours macerating.

Instructions

In a large Pitcher add the diced fruit and lemonade concentrate. Add the bottle of wine and allow the fruit to macerate from 30 minutes to several hours in the refrigerator. Add the Liquor, soda, and stir gently. Add sugar to taste and enjoy with ice!