Italian Sangria

From Italian Sangria

I am not even going to begin to tell you how crazy things have been around here. Let's just say, that I could drink a whole pitcher of sangria myself when reflecting on these crazy times! Instead, I will share with you a new recipe for sangria. I think you will like it. I know my friends did.

The inspiration for this recipe came to me when my friend, Linda E (to distinguish between two of my good friends named Linda), raved about the sangria she had at a restaurant in San Antonio. The server told her that they used Lambrusco for the drink. Lambrusco! Well, hello. That is my FAVORITE cheap wine, and cheap wines work wonders in a sangria recipe. Okay, now forward to my sissy's birthday last week. The dinner party theme was Italian. I will share some of the food recipes from that later. For now, I will tell you how I jazzed up my traditional sangria for the occasion.

From Italian Sangria

Here is the recipe:

1. Fill a large pitcher about 3/4 full of Lambrusco (two bottles)
   
2. Dice 1/2 - 1 cup of sliced grape halves (I used red) and add to wine
   
3. Add half a large lemon or whole small lemon wedges to wine, squeeze juices into the wine first, then drop wedges in
   
4. Repeat above with lime
   
5. Repeat above with orange
   
6. Repeat above with tangerine (I used Tangelos)
   
7. Add 2 tbs of Sugar
8. Add one shot of sweet Italian Liqueur (I used Jameson whiskey, I know, not Italian)
   
9. Add a generous splash of Orange Juice
10. Stir and cover; refrigerate for 24 hours
    
11. Before serving, add 3-5 sliced Strawberries,without stem, AND add Sparkling Drink (I used a sparkling lemonade) until the pitcher is almost completely filled without overflowing. Stir.
12. Pour wine 3/4 into glasses and add fruit from pitcher. 

This recipe makes about 8 servings.

I did not have the sweet Italian Liqueur on hand (which is what I had envisioned using), so I substituted in a sweet whiskey. Some liqueur options are: Limoncello, Frangelico, Amaretto di Saronno, and Sambuca. My friend, Dragana, actually makes her own version of Limoncello. She  uses fresh limes from her own garden and makes Limecello. Lucky me,  I am her neighbor and she let me have a sip, or two, or three. That would also work.

You could just leave it out completely and the Sangria would still taste great.

From Italian Sangria

Well, let me know if you try this out. I would be interested in hearing about the turnout or any substitutions or additions made.

Cheers!