THE PERFECT SPANISH SANGRIA

Who doesn’t love sangria?! Its a classic summertime drink, but its so much more than just a wine punch! I learned to make it while I was travelling through Spain, and although different regions put their own spin on it, all of the base ingredients stay the same, which is why I put together this recipe for a classic sangria! Sangria comes from the spanish word sangre, meaning blood, so you should always use a red wine (a rioja or tempranillo to be exact). As for fruit its dealers choice! The most classic combo I saw was orange, lemon and apples - this is because they are almost always in season somewhere in Spain, but I’ve had them with pears, berries, pineapple so you can get creative!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 bottle of rioja or tempranillo wine

• 1 orange

• 1 lemon

• 1 apple

• 3-4 tablespoons of brown sugar

• 3/4 cup of orange juice

• 1/3 cup of brandy

• Ice

DIRECTIONS:

• Chop up your fruit and put into your pitcher. Using a wooden spoon or muddler press down on the fruit.

• Add your brown sugar and muddle again.

• Add in the orange juice and brandy and give it a stir.

• Add the wine, leaving just a little room at the top of the pitcher and mix well.

• **For a more modern take on a sangria, you can also add some San Pellegrino or something similar for effervescence.

• Put it in the fridge to chill for at least a few hours, or even over night!

• Serve over ice in a beautiful glass, add a slice of orange for garnish and enjoy!