Classic Summer Cocktail of the Week: Sangria

OK, first the boring stuff, bear with me...

Sangria's history like the wine punches served throughout Europe, goes back for centuries. In Spain, vineyards were first planted by Romans more than 2,000 years ago.

Slightly more recently, sangria was by most accounts introduced to the United States at the 1964 New York World’s Fair. (2 CEU's for reading this far.) Thanks for hanging in... on to the recipe!

Sangria is refreshing and simple to make in quantity... if my experience even slightly relevant, it will flow copiously at any backyard party.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 orange, halved and cut into 1/4-inch slices
• 1 lime, thinly sliced crosswise
• 1 Granny Smith apple, cored and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 cup green grapes, halved
• 1/4 cup brandy
• 1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine, such as Rioja or Cabernet Sauvignon
• 4 cups (32 ounces) chilled lemon-lime soda
• Ice

DIRECTIONS

In a pitcher, combine orange, lime, apple, grapes, brandy, and red wine. Stir to combine and refrigerate at least 1 hour (or up to overnight). To serve, add soda and ice. 

That's it! Enjoy, and please let us know what you think. See you next week.

MetroWestWines.com