Red Wine Sangria

By srumbel

This recipe is thought of as “the best” because it best emulates what you might sample if you were to visit Spain. I’m not sure how authentic it is, but everyone seems to love it.
from recipegirl.com

Ingredients

• 2 large juice oranges, washed; one orange sliced; remaining orange juiced
• 1 large lemon, washed and sliced
• 1/4 cup granulated white sugar (I like to use superfine sugar)
• 1/4 cup Triple Sec
• 1 (750 ml.) bottle inexpensive, fruity, medium-bodied red wine, chilled
• drizzle of brandy, optional (but good!)

Details

Preparation time 15mins

Preparation

Step 1

Add sliced orange and lemon and sugar to large pitcher; mash gently with wooden spoon until fruit releases some juice, but is not totally crushed, and sugar dissolves, about 1 minute. Stir in orange juice, Triple Sec, and wine; refrigerate for at least 2, and up to 8 hours.

Before serving, stir again and add a drizzle of brandy (if using). Serve immediately over ice cubes in individual glasses.

Tips:

Cook's Illustrated tested this recipe with more expensive red wines too and they found that the cheaper wine tasted just fine. It really is okay to buy an inexpensive bottle for this recipe. I use a Spanish wine... anything like a Rioja or the like is okay.

The longer sangria sits before drinking, the more smooth and mellow it will taste. A full day is best, but if that isn't possible, give it an absolute minimum of two hours to sit.

You can easily double or triple the recipe- just switch to a punch bowl instead of a pitcher.

Yield:
4 servings