Years ago I ate in Mexican restaruant in Atlanta that served Sangria. The drink was delicious with the Tex Mex style food they served. I later called them up and asked for the recipe.
For years since I've served Sangria at festive parties in our home. From SuperBowl parties to birthday parties for the adults. I always get one or two friend asking for the recipe. This is a drink I make maybe once or twice a year. Here it is...
Sangria can be made various ways depending on what part the world you are in. This Sangria is not made with vodka. The acholic content is a red wine; Lambrusco wine. Here is the recipe I learned and use:
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
4 cups water
1/2 liter of 7up
1/2 quart of orange juice
Bottle of Lambrusco wine.
First mix four cups of water to one cup of sugar. I use hot water and chill it first.
Mix in your 1/2 quart of orange juice. Then mix in a least 1/3 of bottle of Lambrusco depending on how much alcohol you want in the mix.
Now add sliced orange, lemons and lime for fun and to add just bit more flavor. Then drop in your maraschino cherries. Chill if you have time.
Just before serving, add 1/2 a liter of 7up carefully as to avoid creating much foam and loss of carbonation. If you have to chill it all first before serving it is OK but you will lose some carbonation.
If you have a large group and a large pitcher to serve from you can go with this combination:
1 cup sugar (less if you want more bite)
1 6 cups of water
1 liter of 7up
1 quart of orange juice
3/4 of a standard size bottle of Lambrusco wine.
Add together in the same fashion above.
Don't substitute ginger ale for 7up. At least not if you have a choice. The idea is for a lemon lime flavored soda here. If you are searching about for a recipe on Sangria they will all indicate using a red wine. Lambrusco is my red wine choice for a number of reasons. Price could be a good one. LOL. Remember this is a party drink, it's festive. You are not out to impress people with your choice in wine. The strength of Lambrusco mixes deleciously with orange juice too, so price is not the only factor.
If you've had Sangria without vodka, the Lambrusco may be the most familar taste you associate with Sangria. You could use bottled Sangria wine or others but I find that Lambrusco is a strong pungent (yet not dry) wine that mingles well with the sweetening agents.
Enjoy this drink. It is fun, it won't insult guests and always a hit a parties.
