Spanish Sangria Recipe

Red wine: A good quality Spanish red wine is preferred for an authentic flavor.

Orange juice: Freshly squeezed orange juice adds a sweet and tangy taste.

Brandy: Adds depth and richness to the Sangria.

Orange: Sliced orange for a burst of citrus flavor.

Lemon: Sliced lemon to balance the sweetness with a hint of tartness.

Sugar: Sweetens the Sangria to taste.

Club soda: Adds a refreshing fizz just before serving.

To enhance the flavor of your sangria, consider macerating the fruit in the brandy for a few hours before combining it with the wine and orange juice. This will allow the fruit to absorb the brandy and release more of its natural juices, resulting in a richer and more complex sangria.

• 750 ml preferably spanish red wine - Substitute with 750 ml merlot or cabernet sauvignon: These wines offer a similar depth and richness, making them suitable alternatives for the base of the sangria.

• 1 cup orange juice - Substitute with 1 cup pineapple juice: Pineapple juice provides a tropical twist while maintaining the fruity sweetness needed in the sangria.

• ½ cup brandy - Substitute with ½ cup rum: Rum adds a different but complementary flavor profile, keeping the alcoholic content and enhancing the overall taste.

• 1 sliced orange - Substitute with 1 sliced tangerine: Tangerines are similar in flavor and texture to oranges, providing the same citrusy notes.

• 1 sliced lemon - Substitute with 1 sliced lime: Limes offer a slightly different citrus flavor but still provide the necessary acidity and freshness.

• 2 tablespoon sugar - Substitute with 2 tablespoon honey: Honey adds a natural sweetness and a subtle floral note, making it a good alternative to sugar.

• 1 cup chilled club soda - Substitute with 1 cup chilled sparkling water: Sparkling water provides the same effervescence without altering the flavor profile significantly.

• To keep your Spanish sangria fresh and flavorful, store it in a tightly sealed container or pitcher. This helps prevent oxidation and keeps the fruits from becoming too mushy.

• Refrigerate the sangria for up to 3 days. The longer it sits, the more the flavors meld together, but be mindful that the club soda will lose its fizz over time. For best results, add the club soda just before serving.

• If you plan to make the sangria ahead of time, consider storing the wine mixture (without the club soda) in the refrigerator. Add the club soda only when you're ready to serve to maintain its refreshing effervescence.

• For a longer storage solution, you can freeze the sangria. Pour the mixture (excluding the club soda) into a freezer-safe container, leaving some space at the top for expansion. Freeze for up to 1 month.

• When you're ready to enjoy your frozen sangria, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, give it a good stir and add the chilled club soda just before serving.

• To prevent the fruits from becoming too mushy during freezing, you can freeze them separately on a baking sheet and then add them to the sangria just before serving. This also helps keep the sangria cold without diluting it.

• If you prefer a quicker option, you can make sangria ice cubes by freezing the mixture in an ice cube tray. These sangria cubes can be added to your glass to keep your drink cool and flavorful without watering it down.

• Pour the sangria into a saucepan and warm it over low heat. This method ensures that the wine and brandy do not lose their flavors. Stir occasionally to distribute the heat evenly.
• Alternatively, you can use a microwave-safe container to reheat the sangria. Heat it in short intervals of 20-30 seconds, stirring in between to avoid overheating and to maintain the integrity of the fruits.
• If you prefer a cold sangria, simply remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes. This allows the flavors to come back to life without altering the original taste.
• For a quick refresh, add a splash of fresh orange juice or a bit more brandy before serving. This can revive the sangria and enhance its flavors.
• Serve over fresh ice to maintain the chilled nature of the drink. This also helps in diluting the sangria slightly, making it more refreshing.

• Large pitcher: To combine and mix all the ingredients together.

• Cutting board: To slice the orange and lemon.

• Sharp knife: For slicing the fruits precisely.

• Wooden spoon: To stir the mixture and dissolve the sugar.

• Refrigerator: To chill the sangria and allow the flavors to meld.

• Measuring cup: To measure the orange juice and brandy accurately.

• Tablespoon: To measure the sugar.

• Ice cube tray: To make ice cubes for serving.

• Serving glasses: To serve the sangria over ice.

• Bottle opener: To open the bottle of red wine.

Prepare ingredients ahead: Slice the orange and lemon in advance and store them in the fridge.

Use pre-chilled liquids: Keep the red wine, orange juice, and club soda in the fridge so they are already cold when you mix them.

Dissolve sugar quickly: Use superfine sugar to ensure it dissolves faster in the mixture.

Batch preparation: Make a larger batch and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours, adding club soda just before serving.

Use a large pitcher: A bigger pitcher allows for easier mixing and faster preparation.