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cocktails & wines

That said, at spain-recipes.com we're offering some blueprints for exciting variations on this drink. Feel free to add other ingredients to taste. Because the success of any mixture will depend on the quality of these ingredients, it is crucial always to use good red wine, fresh fruit and flavorful juice.

Sangría must always be served ice-cold. If serving from a punch bowl, stir it in the bowl before ladling it into a glass. Finally, if possible, drink it on the beach - there is no finer feeling.

If you want to enjoy the real spanish fiesta spirit, don't miss our selection!

Strong Sangria Recipe

For those who like their liquor strong, this powerful sangria recipe aims to please. Fortified with wine, vodka, and gin, this recipe will strip you from your everyday worries (and perhaps, your memory as well). Olé! 

• Makes 6 glasses
• Difficulty: Very easy
• Preparation time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 3 1/4 cups ( 26 fl. oz) dry red wine
  
• 2 cups (16 fl. oz) sparkling apple juice
• 4 tablespoons gin
• 4 tablespoons citron-flavored vodka
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• Juice of 1 large orange
• Juice of 1 large lemon
• 1 small orange, sliced thin crosswise
• 1 small lemon, sliced thin crosswise
• 1 small lime, sliced thin crosswise

Preparation

Pour all the ingredients into a large pitcher, mix well, and refrigerate. Serve chilled over ice.

Recommended Wines

Protocolo '02

Wine Spectator: "This plush red is rich with chocolate and black cherry flavors, thick and almost sweet on the palate, with ripe, well-integrated tannins and a spicy finish. Drink now through 2007. 15,000 cases imported. 87 Points."

Party sangria

Party sangria is a popular choice for parties, and almost everyone partaking of its bound to find at least several delicious fruit slices bobbing around in their cup. This sangria is also specially attractive served in a wine glass with an orange slice garnishing the rim.

Ingredients

• 3 1/4 cups (26 fl. oz) dry red wine

• 1/3 cup (3  oz) sugar

• 1/3 cup brandy

• 1/3 cup Cointreau

• 1/3 lemon-flavored vodka

• 1 small lemon, sliced crosswise

• 1 small orange, sliced crosswise

• 1 small lime, sliced crosswise

• 1 medium pear, diced

• 2 medium peach, peeled, pitted and sliced

• 2 cups (8 oz) sliced strawberries

• 1 bottle carbonated lemon-lime soda

Preparation

In a sangria pitcher, combine all ingredients except the strawberries and soda.

Chill in the refrigerator overnight. Immediately before serving, stir the strawberries and lemon-lime soda. Pour into chilled glasses and serve.

Recommended Wines

Protocolo '02

Wine Spectator: "This plush red is rich with chocolate and black cherry flavors, thick and almost sweet on the palate, with ripe, well-integrated tannins and a spicy finish. Drink now through 2007. 15,000 cases imported. 87 Points."

Peach and orange Sangria

This sparkling sangría uses white wine instead of red, to better partner the vibrant peaches and oranges. Lemons and cherries may be added too, for an additional splash of color. A bit more potent than its sweet taste suggests, this sangria should be savored slowly.

• Makes 6 glasses
• 10 minutes preparation
• Difficulty: Very Easy

Ingredients

• 3 1/4 cups (26 fl. oz) dry white wine
• 1/3 cup (3 oz) sugar
• 1/3 cup (5 tablespoons) Triple Sec
• 1/3 cup (5 tablespoons) peach-flavoured brandy
• 2 medium peaches, peeled and sliced
• 2 medium oranges, sliced thin and crosswise
• 1 cup (8 fl. oz) sparkling orange soda
• 1 cup (8 fl. oz) ginger ale

Preparation

In a large serving bowl, combine all the ingredients except the orange soda and ginger ale and mix well. Refrigerate overnight.

Immediately before serving, mix in the orange soda and ginger ale. Serve over Ice.

Fruity Sangria

This simple sangria requires some patience, but minimal effort. If served at a party, guests will delight in nibbling on the wine-flavored apple and pear chunks remaining in their cups after their sangria has vanished.

• Makes 18 glasses
• 15 minutes preparation
• Difficulty: very easy

Ingredients

• 8 cups (64 fl. oz) dry red wine
• 8 cups (64 fl. oz) apple juice
• 1 small grapefruit, cut into eights
• 1 medium orange, sliced thin crosswise
• 1 medium lemon, sliced thin crosswise
• 1 small pear, diced
• 1 medium apple, diced

Preparation

Combine the wine, apple juice, and grapefruit pieces in a large pitcher. Mix well, cover and refrigerate overnight.

The following day, add the orange and lemon slices to the wine. Refrigerate for a further 3 hours.

Add the pear and apple to the mixture, then allow to stand for a further 1 hour to absorb the flavor fully. Mix well and serve over ice.

Cranberry and Strawberry Sangria

This playful sangria is sure to become one of your party staples. It is only slightly more tedious to prepare than the other sangrias, but well worth the extra little effort. This fruity, delicious sangria is practically a fiesta in itself but with sangria like this, why wait for the guests?

• Makes 8 glasses
• 15 minutes preparation + 5 minutes cooking
• Difficulty: easy

Ingredients

• 1 cup (8 fl. oz) water
• 2/3 cup (5 oz) sugar
• 3 cloves
• 2 medium lemon slices
• 2 medium lime slices
• 4 cranberry herbal tea bags
• 3 1/4 cups (26 fl. oz) dry red wine
• 2 cups (16 fl. oz) cranberry juice
• 6 tablespoons brandy
• 2 tablespoons Triple Sec
• 1 1/4 cups (5 oz) fresh strawberries, trimmed
• 1 cup (8 fl. oz) club soda

Preparation

Combine the water, sugar, cloves, and lemon and lime slices together in a saucepan and set over medium heat. Mix well, and allow to simmer for a couple of minutes. Reduce the heat to low, and simmer for a further 2 to 3 minutes.

Remove the saucepan from the heat and add in the tea bags. After allowing the tea bags to infuse for five minutes, remove and discard the tea bags and the cloves, and transfer the mixture to a large serving pitcher. Add the wine, cranberry juice, brandy and Triple sec. Mix well and drop in the orange chunks and strawberries. Cover and refrigerate for at least 12 hours.

Immediately before serving, mix in the club soda for extra fizz. Serve chilled, over ice.

Basic Sangria Recipe

A very simple, basic sangria

• Makes 4 glasses

• Difficulty: Very easy

• Preparation time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 3 1/4 cups ( 26 fl. oz) dry red wine
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• Juice of 1 large orange
• Juice of 1 large lemon
• 1 large orange, sliced thin crosswise
• 1 large lemon, sliced thin crosswise
• 2 medium peaches, peeled, pitted and cut into chunks
• 1 cup (8 fl. oz) club soda

Preparation

Combine all the ingredients except for the club soda in a large punch bowl or serving pitcher, mixing well. Refrigerate overnight. Immediately before serving, mix in the club soda for added fizz. Ladle into cups with ice cubes.

White Sangria

Bursting with sparkling flavor, this clean version of sangría is unique in its use of ice cubes made from apple juice. For parties, this can be served in a large, transparent punch bowl next to a transparent bowl containing traditional red sangria. This pairing provides a beautiful contrast, provided they are not immediately consumed by eager guests, as is often the case. 

• Makes 8 glasses

• Difficulty:  Very easy

• Preparation time:  10 minutes

Ingredients

• Apple juice, for ice cubes

• 1 1/4 cups (10 fl. oz) water

• 1 small bunch fresh mint

• 1/2 cup (3 1/2 oz) sugar

• 3 cinnamon sticks

• 3 1/4 cups (26 fl. oz) dry white wine

• 2 medium peaches, peeled, pitted and sliced

• 2 small pears, cut into chunks

• 2 medium oranges, sliced crosswise

• 2 small lemons, sliced crosswise

• 3 cups (24 fl. oz) sparkling apple cider

• Mint leaves, to garnish (optional)

Preparation

To make the apple juice ice cubes, pour the apple juice into two ice trays and freeze until the sangría is ready to serve.

Combine the water, mint leaves, sugar, and cinnamon in a small saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat and simmer for several minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Once the mixture has cooled to room temperature, remove and discard the mint and cinnamon sticks.

Transfer the remaining mixture to a large serving bowl.

Add the wine, peaches, pears, and the orange and lemon slices to the serving bowl. Mix well, and refrigerate overnight. Immediately before serving, mix in the sparkling apple cider and the apple juice ice cubes.

Garnish with fresh mint leaves, if desired.

Recommended Wines

Martinsancho Rueda 2002

Fragrant and crisp, with a citrusy core of grapefruit and herb. It's a bit like a very lean sauvignon blanc, refreshing and palate-cleansing.

Comments on the 2001 vintage: From the Martinsancho’s brilliant golden, green-tinged robe to the purest, longest, most natural tasting finish, the 2001 Martinsancho Verdejo is indeed unique and nothing short of remarkable. “Aromatic, delicious, succulent, creamy, delicate, rare, and rich” are just some of the many adjectives that have been used to describe the Martinsancho Verdejo, but, perhaps, the following comment by wine critic Robert Parker Jr. says it all:

 “This is the best dry white table wine I have tasted from Spain.” Enjoy this one of kind gem cool, moderately chilled or frosty. We love it any way we can get it. Let’s just hope there is enough of the 2001 Martinsancho Verdejo to go around. 

Spicy sangria

This white spicy sangria has a definite kick, and is thus not for those who prefer a milder, more mellow version of the refreshment. Imbibe accordingly - and have plenty of iced water on hand!

• Makes 6 glasses

• Difficulty:  Very easy

• Preparation time:  10 minutes

Ingredients

• 3 3/4 cups ( 30 fl. oz) dry white wine

• 3 tablespoons brandy

• 2 small red chilies, seeded and quartered

• 2 medium tart green apples, diced

• 2 large yellow plums, peeled, pitted and sliced

• 2 medium peaches, peeled, pitted and cut into chunks

• 1 cup (8 fl. oz) club soda

Preparation

Combine all the ingredients except for the club soda in a large serving pitcher, mixing well. Refrigerate overnight.

Immediately before serving, mix in the club soda for added fizz. Serve over ice.

Recommended Wines

Martinsancho Rueda 2002

Fragrant and crisp, with a citrusy core of grapefruit and herb. It's a bit like a very lean sauvignon blanc, refreshing and palate-cleansing.

Comments on the 2001 vintage: From the Martinsancho’s brilliant golden, green-tinged robe to the purest, longest, most natural tasting finish, the 2001 Martinsancho Verdejo is indeed unique and nothing short of remarkable. “Aromatic, delicious, succulent, creamy, delicate, rare, and rich” are just some of the many adjectives that have been used to describe the Martinsancho Verdejo, but, perhaps, the following comment by wine critic Robert Parker Jr. says it all: “This is the best dry white table wine I have tasted from Spain.” Enjoy this one of kind gem cool, moderately chilled or frosty. We love it any way we can get it. Let’s just hope there is enough of the 2001 Martinsancho Verdejo to go around. 

Citrus Sangria

This zesty sangria is specially refreshing thanks to the orange, lemon, and lime. Tangy and sweet, this drink tastes just like summer.

• Makes 6 glasses
• 10 minutes preparation
• Difficulty: Very Easy

Ingredients

• 3 1/4 cups (26 fl. oz) dry red wine
• 1/2 cup (4 fl. oz) Cointreau
• 1/2 cup (4 fl. oz) brandy
• Juice of 1 large orange
• Juice of 1 medium lemon
• Juice of 1 medium lime
• 2 tablespoons confectioner's sugar
• Club soda, to taste
• 1 small orange, sliced thin crosswise
• 1 small lemon, sliced thin crosswise
• 1 small lime, sliced thin crosswise

Preparation

Mix the wine, Cointreau, brandy, citrus juices, and sugar in a large pitcher. Refrigerate overnight.

Immediately before serving, add in the club soda, orange, lemon, and lime slices. Serve over Ice.