Red Sangria Recipe

Sangria is a wine punch, which is very popular in Spain and Portugal and is used extensively, especially during the summers. The word 'sangria' means bloody in Spanish, which denotes the red color of the drink, that is derived from red wine, one of its main ingredients. Sangria ingredients include red wine, fruit slices, sweetener, spirits, ice and soda. Nowadays, numerous versions of sangria with different ingredients are available. However, the basic ingredients remain the same, i.e., wine and fruit slices. Even though, red wine has been used as the basic red sangria ingredient, white wine is also used as a substitute. White sangria or sangria blanco is also very popular. Preparing sangria is very easy, if you know the right methods.

Basic Red Sangria ingredients

Now you know that the ingredients of this wine punch include red wine, fruit slices, other spirits, soda, sweeteners, etc. While red wine from the Rioja in Spain is the most preferred one for making red sangria, other types are also used for this purpose. You may go for light, dry, acidic, unoaked or fruit forward red wine. Another basic ingredient is fruit slices and usually, citrus fruits are used, but, apple, peach, melon, grapes, mango, papaya and pineapple, can also be seen in this drink. Sweeteners can be like honey, sugar, fruit nectar, simple syrups or fruit juices and the choice of spirits include rum, brandy and cognac. Addition of ice or soda is decided as per the recipe or based on personal choice.

Recipe1 - With Brandy

In order to come up with a perfect red sangria, you need good quality ingredients. It will be better to select a Spanish red wine for making this wine punch. In order to prepare this recipe, you need the following ingredients.

• Dry red wine - 1 bottle
• Brandy - 2 ounces
• Superfine sugar - ¼ cup
• Half Lemon - cut into thin slices
• Half Orange - cut into thin slices
• Half Apple (large size) - cored and cut into thin slices
• Chilled club soda
• Ice cubes

How to Make

Take a large pitcher and combine the fruit slices and sugar. Add the wine and brandy and mix well. After that, refrigerate the drink for at least one hour before serving. Before serving the wine punch, add soda and ice cubes (optional). In this case, you have to add around 24 ounces of soda. Stir well and serve in chilled wine glasses.

Recipe 2 - With Rum

This red sangria recipe has rum as one of the ingredients. In order to prepare six servings, you need:

• One bottle of dry red wine (750 ml)
• Rum - 1½ cup
• White sugar - ½ cup
• One cup orange juice
• One lemon
• One orange
• One lime
• Chilled rum, wine, juice and fruits

How to Make

The method of preparation is almost similar to that in the earlier red sangria recipe with brandy. In this case, make thin slices of lemon, lime and orange and place in a large pitcher. Add rum and sugar and mix thoroughly. Refrigerate the contents for about one to two hours, before serving. Just before serving, add the wine and orange juice. You may also crush the fruit slices with a wooden spoon, so as develop a distinct flavor.

The above said red sangria recipes are among the simplest ones and are very easy to prepare, if you have all the ingredients handy. There are various other types, which may require different ingredients. You may also try different combinations and come with the best sangria wine.