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sangria

Crafting the Perfect Sangria

Sangria is a beautiful, refreshing cocktail that elevates any warm weather gathering. At its earliest inception, this cocktail first began in 1100 B.C. in Spain. It eventually travelled to France and England in the 1700s and 1800s. For centuries, people have enjoyed this fruity wine cocktail. Sangria continues to be a favorite drink for many people because of its vast recipe possibilities.

 

How to Make Sangria

 

So, what makes a perfect sangria? You need a delicious wine, fruit juice, and a complimentary blend of fruits and spices.

 

First, choose the wine. In traditional Spanish recipes, sangria is made with a red wine, chopped fruit, orange juice, and often brandy. Feel free to use your favorite red wine. If you choose a sweet red wine, we recommended limiting the sweetness of the other ingredients you add to your sangria so it doesn’t become overwhelming.  Low-tannin and fruity wines like Garnacha (also referred to as Grenache) and Pinot Noir are most recommended for sangria. This is because they taste great when chilled and are not too bitter.

 

Some more modern spins may include sparkling beverages like ginger ale or added sugars. Sometimes, these ingredients can make the sangria too sweet. We suggest using fruits or natural sweeteners such as honey to increase or balance the sweetness instead. If your sangria is too sweet, adding citrus juice like orange or grapefruit juice can help decrease the level of sweetness to your liking.

 

Another tip for a perfect sangria is using fresh fruit in their prime ripeness and preferably when in season. Berries and peaches are excellent additions during the summer months. The fall and winter seasons are a great time to use citrus fruits, apples, and pears.

 

Let the fruits steep in the wine for at least two hours, allowing the flavor to make its fullest impact. For added depth or balance, it’s common to use a modest amount of liqueur such as Aperol or Limoncello.

 

Create Your Own Sangria Recipe

 

Perhaps you’d like to take an unconventional approach, or maybe red wine just gives you a headache. Whatever the case may be, the world, or in this case the sangria, is your oyster.

 

To switch things up, we suggest trying a white wine or rosé to craft your perfect sangria. White and rosé wines are naturally lower in tannins than red wine, making them excellent bases for this chilled cocktail.

To make a delicious white wine sangria, you can adjust the fruit and herb mixture. For example, you can include peaches, pears, green apples, lemon, and fresh mint. For a bit of depth, you can add a couple sprigs of rosemary or basil if you like it herby.

 

For a rosé sangria, what better way to craft a refreshing pink cocktail than adding pomegranate juice, watermelon, oranges, and strawberries!

 

Finally, since sangria is served chilled, we recommend keeping it in the refrigerator and serving it over ice by the glass. When you place ice directly into the sangria pitcher, the ice will melt and dilute your beautifully crafted beverage.

 

Whether you chose a traditional red or opt for a white or rosé sangria, Payless Liquors has you covered. You can fill out our online order form to select your wine and then pick up your order.