Spanish joie de vivre

Sipping on Sunshine: All About Sangria

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Amid the tapestry of Spanish traditions exists a drink that tells stories of sun-soaked fiestas, laughter-filled evenings, and the art of embracing life's pleasures. Sangria is all about fun times, sunshine, and bringing people together. Join us as we take you through the origins of sangria, its essential ingredients, and the preparation methods that make sangria a cornerstone of Spanish heritage.

Capture the soul of Spain.

Amid the tapestry of Spanish traditions exists a drink that tells stories of sun-soaked fiestas, laughter-filled evenings, and the art of embracing life's pleasures. Sangria is all about fun times, sunshine, and bringing people together. Join us as we take you through the origins of sangria, its essential ingredients, and the preparation methods that make sangria a cornerstone of Spanish heritage.

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The History of Sangria

Sangria's origins are thought to date back 2,000 or so years to when the Romans moved into the Iberian Peninsula to conquer Spain. As a staple drink (wine was a safer alternative to water for drinking as the winemaking process killed off many harmful microorganisms) and a popular trade item during Roman times, more vineyards were planted, producing more wine. Since winemaking was less refined than it is today, the wine produced would often be harsh and intense on its own, so a popular practice was to dilute it and add natural sweeteners like honey, spices, and fruits to enhance its taste.

While predecessors of modern sangria continued to be enjoyed in the centuries following the Roman Empire's fall, things really started to ramp up for sangria in the 18th and 19th centuries. During this time, sangria made its way to England and France before being exported cross-continent into Latin America. By the mid-20th century, sangria journeyed north, appearing at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York City, underlining its transformation into an internationally recognized iconic drink.

So, what impact has this had back in its homeland? Fast-forward to the present day, Spain has become one of the premier global destinations for food and drink lovers. Along with the likes of paella, sangria has become one of the most sought-after food and drink attractions for visitors, capping off a remarkable evolution that has seen it rise from a simple mix of wine and fruit to an iconic drink that captures the essence of Spanish hospitality and enjoyment of life.

Why is it called sangria?

‘Sangria’ is thought to be derived from the Spanish word ‘sangre’, meaning ‘blood’, owing to the deep red color delivered by the red wine traditionally used in making it. This name is thought to have been adopted over the past few hundred years when the sangria transitioned from a local delicacy to a globally enjoyed drink.

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Traditional Sangria Ingredients

Good news - sangria is a relatively straightforward beverage to make, but it's still important to implement the right combination of ingredients. After all, that's how you make your sangria the refreshing, balanced, fruit-forward drink it's supposed to be. The handful of ingredients typically used in sangria recipes are as follows:

1. The base often consists of red wine, chosen for its rich character and ability to carry the essence of the other components. You can also use white wine, which, while not traditional, has emerged as a popular variation in recent decades. Other, even less common bases you can use include cava and cider, so if red wine isn't your thing, there are many alternatives you can try out!

2. Fresh fruits are added to the wine to add sweetness and tang. The most popular fruits are citrus fruits, such as oranges and lemons, but you can also use other fruits, like apples, peaches, and berries.

3. Further sweetness is added through the inclusion of sweeteners like brown sugar, syrup, or honey.

4. While less prevalent in many sangria recipes nowadays, you can add more complexity to your sangria with spices. Cinnamon is the most commonly used spice, but others you may associate more closely with mulled wine, such as star anise, cloves, and cardamom, can also be used.

5. A touch of brandy or an alternative liqueur is often included for an extra kick, giving sangria a distinctive depth. While only an optional ingredient, many consider brandy an essential component of any sangria experience.

6. Soft drinks such as orange juice or soda water are sometimes added to sangria to add volume, carbonation, or fruitiness.

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Preparation Process

Once you have all your ingredients, it's time for the preparation process - which is where the magic happens.
  • Begin by selecting a wine that suits your preference. Since sangria often includes a lot of sweet ingredients, many people like to use a dry, fuller-bodied red wine such as Tempranillo or Cabernet Sauvignon, as these wines are less likely to be overwhelmed by the sweetness of the other ingredients. If you're using a lighter-bodied red or white wine, we recommend being more conservative with fruit and sweeteners to balance your sangria's flavors.
  • Step two is to slice the fresh fruits you've chosen and combine them with the sweetener, allowing the mixture to macerate for a while, coaxing out the flavors.
  • Once the fruit has released its juices, add the wine, brandy (if you're using it), plus any spices you're including, and let the mixture chill for a few hours to marry the flavors. If you can leave it overnight, then even better!
  • Serve your sangria over ice, ensuring each glass captures a slice of fruit to enhance the drink's visual appeal. Top up with soda or orange juice if using.

Serving and Presentation

Glassware

Since sangria is often enjoyed as a shared beverage, we recommend using our crystal pitchers and decanters to showcase your sangria's vibrant color and serve your guests. For your drinking glass, we recommend using one that can accommodate a large volume of liquid while complementing the ingredients used in your sangria. As many sangrias are made using full-bodied red wines, our RIEDEL Cabernet/Merlot glasses from one of our Grape Varietal Specific collections will fit the bill perfectly for many of you.
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Garnish

Adding garnish can considerably improve the visual appeal of any drink, which can, in turn, make us perceive our drinks as tasting nicer, so it's a step not to be missed.

When serving your sangria, garnish each glass with fresh fruit slices you would use in the recipe for the drink; we're talking the likes of citrus slices, berries, and apple slices, while you can also feel free to add a sprig of mint. These garnishes add a welcome variation in color, giving a more authentic vibe to the entire drink and helping you make your kitchen feel more like a sunny Spanish town plaza.

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RIEDEL Drink Specific Glassware
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RIEDEL O Wine Tumbler
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RIEDEL Mixing Sets
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Tumbler Collection