MY BELOVED SANGRIA

My boyfriend loves to drink Sangria year round, but to tell you the truth Sangria is mainly a summer drink as it consists of a light, dry red wine mixed with fruits and ice and needs to be served chilled.

My boyfriend in CA.

The word Sangria in Spanish means “blood letting”, and it has been drunk dating back to the time of the Romans and through the Middle Ages. In those days, wine was considered the safest liquid for its alcohol content that could take care of any kind of bacteria, so Sangria became a friendly, popular drink along with its juicy fruits and high sugar content.

The traditional recipe from Spain includes a red wine from the Rioja region, which might be either Tempranillo or Grenache (Garnacha in Spanish). You also need chopped or sliced fruits like oranges, apples, peaches, grapes, as well as white sugar, orange juice, ice, and sometimes a small amount of brandy.

If you want to make your own Sangria, I recommend using a Spanish red wine, and if it’s possible let it chill overnight as this would let the fruit flavors blend better into the drink. The next thing you will need is a big pitcher full of ice cubes, and then you are ready to go!

In Argentina and Uruguay during summer they drink what is known as White Sangria or Clerico which is the basic Sangria recipe, but made with white wine, usually Sauvignon Blanc. If you are on the beach relaxing at sunset, Clerico is the perfect drink, as well as pairing it with fried calamari or juicy lobster for dinner.

Punta del Este - Uruguay

I must confess I’m pretty much attached to good Sangria, as it brings back memories of my summer times in Punta del Este, Uruguay with my Argentine college friends. Also, the day I met my beloved boyfriend, he was drinking Sangria too.

Though I try hard to be objective, I would only end up suggesting that this summer you might try to make your own Sangria, I bet you will love it too!