July 18, 2013
Enjoy a glass of chilled sangria made with Missouri wine this summer.
As the summer heats up, it is the perfect time to whip up a pitcher of delicious sangria to enjoy with friends. Sangria, traditionally made with red wine, gets its name from the Spanish word for blood, “sangre,” because of its deep red color. However, the beverage is more of a template than a recipe and presents a great opportunity to showcase your favorite flavor profile.
Are you a fan of tropical fruit? Do you prefer something sweet, or do you like a more tart taste? There is no wrong answer when it comes to sangria. All you need to know are the basic components, and then it’s time to mix and match to your heart’s content.
Creating your ideal sangria recipe is as easy as 1, 2, 3, 4.
- Wine: Red, white, rosé: Pick your base and build from there.
- Sweetener: The most commonly used sweeteners are sugar, honey, syrup, and fruit juice. You can also choose a sweeter wine and skip this step.
- Fruit: Fresh fruit is a staple in most sangria recipes, but some more adventurous concoctions include herbs and vegetables.
- Liqueur: The traditional Spanish sangria calls for brandy, but any liqueur that pairs with the rest of the ingredients will do.
Once you’ve chosen all of your ingredients, simply mix, chill and enjoy.
If you need some inspiration to get you started, here are some mouth-watering recipes sure to get your creative juices flowing.
Traditional Spanish sangria is rich in color and flavor. This recipe calls for a dry red wine. Try it with a Chambourcin or Norton from your favorite Missouri winery.
This citrusy, sweet sangria is made with white wine. Missouri Vignoles or Traminette would be great.
Strawberry sangria is a tasty treat for your next summer celebration. Use a Vidal Blanc for this not-too-sweet beverage.
Feeling a little more adventurous? This sparkling sangria experiments with cucumber, fresh ginger and grapefruit juice – refreshing!
If you’re a planner, make your sangria a few hours or even the night before you serve it to let the flavors mingle while it gets nice and chilly. If you’re short on time, try using frozen fruit in your recipe to cool it down without diluting. Finally, serve your beautiful mixture in a clear container to show off your cocktail skills!