Make It Yourself Monday

SANGRIA

One of my favorite summer drinks is Sangria.  It's incredibly refreshing on these warm summer nights, and is a great addition to any get together.  Even if you don't like red wine, I can almost guarantee you'll like Sangria.

The best part is that it's super easy to make, and you don't have to buy expensive wine.  We generally use Trader Joes Charles Shaw.  You know, 2 Buck Chuck  :)

 

Ingredients:

•1 Bottle of red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Rioja reds, Zinfandel, Shiraz)

•1 Lemon cut into wedges

•1 Orange cut into wedges

*•Simple syrup to taste

•2 Cups ginger ale or club soda

Preparation:

Pour wine in the pitcher and squeeze the juice wedges from the lemon and orange into the wine. Toss in the fruit wedges (leaving out seeds if possible) and add simple syrup to taste. Chill overnight. Add ginger ale or club soda just before serving.

If you'd like to serve right away, use chilled red wine and serve over lots of ice.

Addition ideas: sliced strawberries, peaches, handful of fresh blueberries, raspberries, kiwi, a shot or two of gin, brandy or rum, a cup of ginger ale, citrus soda pop or lime

*To make your own simple syrup:

•Bring 2 cups of plain cold tap water to a boil. Stir in 2 cups of plain granulated sugar. Turn the heat to low and stir constantly until the sugar dissolves completely.

•To test if the sugar is completely dissolved, use a metal spoon to scoop up a small bit of the syrup. Tilt it over the pan and watch carefully. You shouldn't be able to see any crystals in the liquid.

•Let the syrup cool to room temperature, then pour into a clean glass jar and store in the refrigerator.

 

 
Erika