Sangría, a delicious Spanish summer drink. Sangría, with the emphasis on the ‘i’, is for many a well-known drink. A Spanish sparkling summer drink that you finish before you even know it.

We have enjoyed quite a few Sangrías here in Spain and to be honest with many different tastes. One of the best we have had at a restaurant not far from our mountain. The owner revealed that it contained more than red wine and orange juice. And you could tell for sure. Below you will find the recipe.

The history of Sangría

I always assumed Sangría was a typical Spanish drink. But did you know it originates in South America? According to Wikipedia, it was already drunk in Ecuador since the 14th century. Others say it was invented in the Antilles when it was a British colony. There is a quote from a Father from 1788;

‘Bebida inventada por los ingleses que se toma mucho en las colonias inglesas y francesas de América.’ – Drink invented by the British who used to drink this in the English and French colonies of America.
Padre Esteban Torres

The many Spanish who emigrated to South America took the drink back to Spain. The name of the drink refers to the word
Sangre, the Spanish word for blood, refers to the colour of the drink. It was also called lemonade wine. Something that I can recall. It drinks as easy as lemonade! Before you can even notice your glass is empty.

Do you know the difference between Sangría and Tinto de Verano?

Not at all places, you can order a Sangría, but most of the time you can order a Tinto de Verano, or ‘colour of the summer’. Actually, Tinto de Verano is a cheaper distraction than Sangría. Tinto de Verano is red wine mixed with Fanta. Without the fruit, without the spices and the liqueur. The weekday version so to say.

In the supermarket, you can find this drink in one-and-a-half litre bottles, very cheap. Here we go for the more glamorous option, which takes also a tiny bit longer to prepare.

Recipe of Sangría

1 bottle of red wine (750ml)
35ml Cointreau
35ml Licor 43
35ml cognac
23ml grenadine
300ml Fanta or Sprite, or sparkling water if you don’t fancy a sweet drink
2 cinnamon sticks
1 apple in small pieces
1 orange in thin slices
1,5 lemons in thin slices

option: more fruit such as strawberries, and blueberries.

Take a large jug
Wash the fruit slice it into pieces/slices and put it in the jug together with the cinnamon sticks.
Add the red wine and the liqueurs.
Set the jug aside for 2 to 3 hours in the fridge. so the flavours can soak into the fruits.
Add just before serving the Fanta/Sprite to the Sangría or sparkling water if you don’t have a sweet tooth.
You can add some ice cubes to make the drink nice and cold.

Salud!

p.s. Are you looking for a good spot to enjoy this drink? Have a look at our holiday homes!