Brandied Berried Sangria
In a pinch, Sangria is a pleasant, unexpected surprise, giving cheer to any meal. Sangria reminds me of champagne, a drink with a reputation for celebration. The myth being you need a reason to celebrate; I think we just need to celebrate more often without a given reason. Besides, this is so easy to pour together. Years ago I picked up a recipe from Martha Stewart, then simplified it to my liking.
Consider assembling a Sangria Kit as a gift; it is fabulous for friends and neighbors during the holidays (especially if they have previously enjoyed it with you!). Place Ingredients artistically in basket, bag or tin. Provide recipe and holiday greetings. I usually include:
1 bottle of Beaujolais (or my dad’s blackberry wine)
1 bottle sparkling blackberry, black cherry or raspberry soda
2 oranges
1 tiny bottle brandy (2 oz)
Small bag of berries: blackberry, currant, cranberry, raspberry
Optional: 2-3 plums, bunch black grapes.
To assemble: pour wine, soda, juice of one orange, 1 orange sliced into thin rounds, brandy and berries in large glass flask or decanter. Optional: add 1-2 T sugar to taste, stir to blend. Can be made 1-2 hours in advance; serve at room temperature.
Comments
Love your inclusion of family in your website. I thought maybe there would be a smeared baby face in the photo mix, but the backwards one made me smile anyway. GOOD RECIPES. I am printing them out to show Dad…he will be proud of the reference to his wine…
Happy eleventh, Anthony. Time is elusive—we might as well eat, drink, and be merry!!!
Love you,
MOM
[...] This next group is the set that surprised me, although once I read the posts and realized who was submitting them it all made lots more sense! While those of us in the Northern Hemisphere are making sure our long-johns are ready for use, those on the other side of the equator are basking in the sun’s warm rays. It makes perfect sense then that two of the three sangria/wine punches came from folks in Australia. The first entry comes from Haalo of Cook (almost) Anything at Least Once. Haalo decided that mulled wine is a wonderful holiday beverage but at this time of year something chilled seemed much more enticing. And so she took a traditional mulled wine and made Iced Mulled Wine. Seems pretty clever to me. Anna from morsels and musings (and also from Australia) had a very similar idea with her, Chilled Mulled Riesling . As you can tell by the title she used Riesling while Haalo used a Pinot Noir for her base. Anna is still a little undecided about her version though – while no one hated it, not everyone loved it and she made some interesting observations about the interaction of some of the ingredients. Our third entry in this grouping comes from Seattle (of all places!). This is one of two entries from Janelle of TalkofTomatoes. She actually concocted her Brandied Berried Sangria back in September but thought it would also make a nice holiday beverage. We’ll get to her other “official†entry a bit later. [...]
Hi–I found your blog through the mixology monday roundup. I too am a believer in celebrating just for the hell of it. Love your drink–so refreshing and full of berry goodness!
Sarah:
Thanks! I love finding new blogs: including yours! Come on over and celebrate anytime!
[...] I’ve just come across Mixology Monday, this time around it was Drinks for A Festive Occasion. Some of the drinks look quite appealling. I’m keen to try the Chilled Mulled Riesling (she also has an Fläderblom Martini—using Elderberry Flower cordial, and a Lingon Daiquiri which looks good too), the Iced Mulled Wine and the Brandied Berry Sangria. I’m not sure if I’d be game to try the flaming Christmas Rum Punch! [...]
That is marvelous! I’ve never seen a sangria recipe quite like this one. I’m awfully tempted to throw some of this together with tomorrow’s dinner.
Mmm, I’m thirsty to make this recipe.
*mouth watering*
I was just talking with my girlfriend the other day on how to make sangria. Now I know!
Thank you!