The sizzle of summer days ahead need cool cocktails. One favorite I make during the summer is Sparkling Sangria and I love to sip from frosty glasses out on the patio. Pour it over a glass of ice and soak in the summer.
Yes, I enjoy this wine drink on the rocks. Yet, honestly, I cringe when I see wine served on ice and I am not a fan of sweet wines, but somehow, this ice-cold ruby-red cocktail is perfect on a hot summer day. (Wait—in the spirit of full disclosure—I enjoy it year round. There is even a fun restaurant in Chicago, Café Iberico, that serves wonderful sangria and a pitcher after a busy day is great, no matter the weather.)
Plan ahead for it is best to make the base several hours ahead so the flavors can blend. This version is just a tiny bit sparkling, thanks to soda water, but don’t let that fool you—for it packs a punch thanks to red wine, brandy and orange liqueur.
Add the soda water just before serving. The proportion of the bubbly soda water to sangria is almost 50/50, so fill the glass with ice. Then fill about half full of sangria and top it off with about a half glass of soda water. Talk about “half full” becoming a rosy future!
Sparkling Sangria
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 lemons (1 juiced, 1 sliced)
2 limes (1 juiced, 1 sliced)
3 tablespoons orange juice
1/2 orange, sliced
1/3 cup orange liqueur, such as Grand Marnier
1/4 cup brandy
1 bottle (750 ml) red wine, such as Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon
1 bottle (1 liter) club soda
In a large, nonreactive bowl, combine the sugar, the juice of one lemon, the juice of one lime and the orange juice. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Add the sliced lemon, lime and orange; using the back of the spoon press lightly to bruise the fruit. Blend in the orange liqueur, brandy and wine. Cover and refrigerate 4 to 8 hours.
Just before serving, stir in the club soda. Serve over ice.
Makes 8-1/2 cups sangria
Tip
For especially attractive serving, strain out the fruit slices before adding the club soda. Combine sangria base and club soda in a pretty pitcher. Add fresh lemon, lime and orange slices.
Make the sangria by the pitcher or by the glass. Add the entire 1-liter bottle of club soda to the pitcher. For a glass, fill about half full with sangria and top it with club soda, using about a 50/50 proportion.
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