This weekend I was so happy to welcome my bestest from back home in NY and her boyfriend to visit. There was much food related fun, each which I will cover. Thank god they like to eat as much as Dane and I.
I obviously wanted to be a good hostess, so I figured I’d make some delicious cocktails to enjoy with them. I got these great glass pitchers for our wedding, and I’d never used them. What better to make to highlight how pretty the pitchers are than some sangria? I started looking for some tried and true sangria recipes, and was reminded that there is both red and white sangria. I really think of red sangria as more traditional, and of course great for the winter because of the red wine. But, I’ve had white sangria and have to say it’s always delicious too. I was torn on what to do.
So I looked through recipe after recipe, hoping that something would jump out as the perfect one. The basic ingredients are always wine (white or red depending on the sangria), some type of fruit juice, often another liquor (Triple sec and brandy were most common), and sometimes a splash of soda for some carbonation. As I usually do, I got an idea and decided to just figure it out as I went.
I headed to Trader Joe’s for some 2 Buck Chuck (which, actually, is $3 now, just sayin), because I figured if I was mixing it anyway, why go crazy with expensive wine. On the advice of Becca, a trusted sangria aficionado, I decided to pick up some of their fruit flavored sparkling drinks. I went with pomegranate sparkling juice for the red sangria. At this point, I was feeling so indecisive so I just decided to make both red and white sangria. For the white sangria, I chose the sparkling limeade. I also picked up pink lady apples, oranges, and lemons to put in the pitcher.
Sangria ingredients
When I got home I assembled everything to put the sangria together. Here’s the recipes that I ended up using:
Red Sangria
- 1 bottle of Charles Shaw Pinot Noir
- 1 bottle of Trader Joe’s Pomegranate Sparkling Juice
- About 1 1/2 cups of orange juice
- Slices of pink lady apples
- Slices of orange
- Slices of lemon
Combine the wine and juices in a pitcher. Slice the fruit and add to the pitcher. Side note: I had a pretty big pitcher for this one, so you may have to adjust your measurements depending on how much your pitcher can hold.
White Sangria
- 1 bottle of Charles Shaw Pinot Grigio
- 1 bottle Trader Joe’s Sparkling Limeade
- 1 cup of orange juice
- Slices of pink lady apples
- Slices of orange
- Slices of lemon
Combine same as above. Side note: I used a smaller pitcher for this one, so I used about 2/3 of the bottle of limeade and less orange juice. You can just make it to your own taste.
Voila! Sangria!
Now just to mention, I used pink lady apples that I got at Trader Joe’s. These apples are tart and sweet and have a great different flavor. I’ve only seen them at Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods Market. You can use whatever kind of fruit you prefer. I think they add a great flavor!
Tell me more, tell me more... (if you get this reference, then I love you)
Everyone loved both sangrias, but the red did go faster than the white. It’s so easy to make, and you can really make it however you’d like depending on your own tastes. Make it for a group and I guarantee you’ll have some new friends in no time!
-Kristen
January 12, 2010 at 10:49 am |
You didn’t leave the fruit to soak in the booze?! That’s not a sangria at all, madam — that’s just a fruit-funfetti-ed wine cooler! I always find it wise to let the chopped fruit soak overnight with the wine, some brandy, and a bit of sugar (depending on how out of season the fruit is), then to top the mixture with your fizzy element shortly before serving. It allows the flavors to mingle magically and turns all the fruit into delectable little booze-bombs.
January 12, 2010 at 10:51 am |
Who said I didn’t leave the fruit to soak in the booze? Of course I did! It’s not sangria without that. Eating the fruit in all it’s boozy glory is what makes it complete.