Mamacita’s Sangria from Voyager
“Have you ever drunk sangria, Mrs. Fraser?”
I opened my mouth to say “Yes,” thought better of it, and said, “No, what is it?” Sangria had been a popular drink in the 1960s, and I had had it many times at faculty parties and hospital social events. But for now, I was sure that it was unknown in England and Scotland; Mrs. Fraser of Edinburgh would never have heard of sangria.
“A mixture of red wine and the juices of orange and lemon,” Lawrence Stern was explaining. “Mulled with spices, and served hot or cold, depending on the weather. A most comforting and healthful beverage, is it not, Fogden?”
Diana Gabaldon, Voyager (Chapter 50 – I Meet a Priest)
Comforting, indeed! (Says the food writer with a goblet full of the stuff stationed right next to her mouse.)
Inspiring too! My new favourite scientific study found that tipsy people are more creative.
It’s staying this side of tipsy that can be the problem…especially when your host plops down a huge pitcher full of citrus-flavoured, red-wine punch laced with brandy.
Just ask Father Fogden and the hobgoblin he keeps for company, Coco the Coconut.
I’m not touching the sheep skulls for all the sangria in Spain, Portugal and Argentina combined.
A dry red is a good, safe choice for Sangria.
I took a chance and went a little on the sweeter side with this mid-priced bottle of Spanish red, and really enjoyed the results. I’m not in love with the label, but Beso de Vino gets top scores for taste and value.
Mr. Stern describes sangria as mulled. Sangria has always been a summertime patio drink with some tapas for me, so it’s never occurred to me to mull it. Mulling adds richness and taste — which could be verra good around the winter holidays — but I wanted to keep this version on the light side. We’ll mull another batch as the weather cools down, I promise.
If you’ve never had sangria, proceed with caution. The brandy in sangria can sneak up on you very quickly, and it can have you senseless before your second glass if you don’t watch it.
Mamacita doesn’t strike me as one to tiptoe around a hangover, if you know what I mean.
(Click on the link below for a printable version of the recipe.)
Mamacita’s Sangria from Voyager
: Refreshing and delicious.
Serves 2-4
- Red Wine – 1 bottle (25 oz/750 ml)
- Brandy, Triple Sec or Grand Marnier – 2 oz (1/4 Cup)
- Sugar – 2 to 4 Tble
- Lemon, sliced – ½
- Orange, sliced – ½
- Lime, sliced – ½
- Soda Water/Sparkling Water (optional)
Pour the brandy in a pitcher, add 2 tablespoons sugar and stir well to dissolve. Add the wine, stir again, then add the sliced fruit.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, and up to 1 day, before serving. Taste and add more sugar if you think it needs it. Serve in wine glasses or tumblers with club soda/sparkling water if desired.
Notes:
- I stayed true and used only citrus fruits, as Lawrence Stern described. But apples, melon, mango, grapes and kiwi all add wonderful flavour.
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Very nice and lovely post. We are pleasured to see how people enjoy Beso de Vino.
Salud.
Thank you, Mamacita and Theresa. I’ve made a batch with “The Gnome Knows” red wine and added some raspberries to the citrus. Yum.
Our pleasure, Laurie! Well, mine at least. Mamacita wasn’t the friendliest of hostesses…but I’m sure she’d never begrudge anyone a drink. ;)
This is the best Mamacita’s Sangria recipe, It packs a wallop!
Keep on sipping, Connie!
Wait a second… I have all of these ingredients! Except for the alcohol – I left both bottles at work! Darn it!
oh, the humanity! Never leave the booze behind…that would be considered a crime in these here parts.
Another HIT Theresa, for sure. I will put the purple passon recipe back in the box. Helen in Ark
I follow a very similar recipe, but to get a more intense flavor, I heat the brandy to dissolve the sugar and add a cinnamon stick or other spices, then cool and add to the wine for cold sangria.
Great tip, Heather!
Sounds sooo yummmy!!!
For early summer pleasure I really love to add fresh strawberries…right before I drink it…in my usually ready made Sangria!
I so have to try to make it myself now :-)
It can only be better with homemade sangria, Marlen! Strawberries add colour and taste…great idea.
I use a recipe that uses a cup each of gin and brandy, lemon, orange and cinnamon stick and a bottle of Spanish wine. Oh, and sugar, of course! It’s incredibly strong so yes, staying this side of tipsy is really difficult, not least because it’s so deliciously drinkable! I’m all for doing my part to ward off scurvy!
Denise — that sounds delicious…and fully leaded! Holy cow…I need to come over to your place. Theresa
You’ve become one of my “go-to” sites for recipes – everything is lovely. I’m looking forward to your mulled version of sangria. I live in Wisconsin, so it’s about to get cold and I always have brandy on hand. :)
That makes me so happy to read that, Marissa!
I put rum and fresh-squeezed citrus juice in mine…it’s the BEST drink ever. Wards off scurvy and keeps you happy. :)
Scurvy free for life! Thank goodness sangria is a healthful drink…:D
Yummy! I like it for a summer refreshment as well but I will definitely mull it for fall. I think it will be awesome after a hay ride/pumpkin patch outing.
That sounds like the perfect post hayride drink, Wendy!