Sangria - an iced drink typically made with red wine, sugar, fruit juice, soda water, and spices, and containing fruit slices. Random House Unabridged Dictionary
Cool, refreshing, sangria has certainly become my drink of choice when I am worshipping the sun at Lake Travis or just laying about on a beach in tropical Mexico. I think the first time I ever tried sangria, I was enjoying a wonderful afternoon with Mrs. Food, visiting one the Texas Hill Country's most beautiful and endangered sunning spots, Hamilton Pool. http://wildtexas.com/parks/hpp.php
Sangria has taken on a life of its own with as many different recipes as BBQ or moms special home made spaghetti sauce. Most recipes I found seem to share one common thread, for maximum effect and best flavor, after adding the fruit to the wine, let the sangria sit in your refrigerator overnight before serving. Now, I can't tell you which sangria is the best so I will give you guys Mrs. Food favorite sangria recipe, which she has spent many moons perfecting with the help of her motley crew of girls and the Champaign mafia. Great for parties and friends coming around for dinner, I think you will find this recipe a real hit. But remember, sangria is a matter of taste, so add the fruit and wine you like and don't limit yourself to our mix. Spending a little time putting this drink together came take any social event and turn it into a special occasion.
2 – Cups slice strawberries
2 – Cups apple juice
2/3 – Triple Sect (orange flavored liqueur)
1/2 – cup sugar
4 – Whole cloves
3 – Blood oranges (remove the seeds) cut into 16 wedges
2 – Bottles of fruity red wine. Mrs. Food likes Beaujolais Nouveau
2 – Cinnamon sticks
1 – Lemon cut into 8 wedges
2 – Lime cut into 8 wedges
Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher and stir until sugar dissolves. Cover and chill 8hrs or overnight. Remove the cinnamon and cloves before serving. Pour over ice, adding some of the fruit to each drink. This sangria recipe makes about 16 1cup servings. Double up for larger parties.
Warning: This drink can play tricks on your mind so please don't drink and drive.