What is Sangria made of?
Traditional sangria is made with red wine, water, herbs, spices, and fruit. Today’s sangrias have a wide variety of ingredients, and each recipe is different. Soda and brandy are common modern additions. You can make any sangria recipe your own by substituting the fruit used, the type of sugar or sweetener, and the style of wine. Don’t hesitate to get creative!
Wine: For best results, choose a young, fruity wine that you enjoy drinking on its own. Avoid overly complex or heavily oaked flavors. Popular options include Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Gamay Noir, Baco Noir, and even Sauvignon Blanc.
Fruit: The most common fruit you see in red sangria is by far citrus fruit. Lemon and orange are key ingredients in majority of sangrias. Apples, nectarines, peaches, strawberries, and grapes are used for added sweetness. Other berries only add flavor if muddled.
Sugar: For optimal sugar dissolution, fine white sugar is recommended. Brown cane sugar adds colour but won't dissolve unless cooked into a simple syrup. Alternatively, honey, date syrup, and coconut sugar are viable substitutes.
Spices: Usually, traditional sangria recipes keep it simple and use a stick of cinnamon. But you can add star anise, nutmeg, ginger, or cloves.
Soda:Soda is optional in sangria, as the traditional recipe does not include carbonation since it predates its invention. However, if you enjoy the extra fizz, you can add a small amount of soda water or lemon soda just before drinking.
Alcohol: Spanish Brandy is a great addition to sangria, as it's also made from grapes. To increase the drink's potency, consider adding a few ounces of Vodka, Gin, or Vermouth.
Red Sangria:
Ingredients
1 bottle of Red Wine (750ml)
2 oranges
1/2 lemon
1 cinnamon stick
3 tablespoons sugar or simple syrup; 1:1
1 green apple
2 peaches/ apricots
Carbonated beverage; lemon soda, orange soda, soda water
2 oz brandy or vermouth
Instructions
1.Create a simple syrup by dissolving sugar in two tablespoons of water over low heat, using a 1:1 ratio of water to sugar. Let cool.
2.Wash oranges and lemons, removing thick rind pieces before juicing oranges.
3.Juice oranges and lemons.
4.In a large pitcher or bowl, mix the wine, simple syrup, orange juice, lemon juice, and brandy together. Add pieces of lemon and orange rind. For Traditional Sangria, include a cinnamon stick and let it sit for at least two hours or overnight to infuse the fruit rind and cinnamon flavors before serving over ice. Alternatively, for a modern twist, add chopped green apples and peaches, and top off with a carbonated beverage and enjoy!
Cheese Pairings: When it comes to pairing cheese with red sangria, you'll want to look for varieties that are rich and full-flavored, with a hint of sweetness to complement the fruity notes in the drink. Some good options to consider include aged cheddar, Manchego, Gouda, and Roquefort. Blue cheeses, such as Stilton or gorgonzola, can also work well as their tanginess balances out the sweetness of the sangria.
