Embrace the coziness of winter with our inviting Winter Sangria, a blend of warm, comforting aromas ideal for chilly evenings. Picture yourself melding rich red wine with hints of cinnamon, oranges, and apples, crafting a soul-warming drink that delights your taste buds. This Winter Sangria is more than just a beverage; it’s a heartwarming experience, perfect for savoring the season’s spirit.
Sangria, an iconic Spanish drink, has a rich history and an original recipe that reflects Spain’s culinary tradition and culture. This refreshing and aromatic drink is perfect for hot summer days and is often associated with parties and social gatherings, but it can easily be converted to a winter drink as well, with just a couple of tweaks. This is the best Christmas sangria recipe for your friends and family gatherings, so check out the recipe below and give it a try!
The origin of Sangria
Sangria has its origins in the Iberian Peninsula, with historical references dating back to the Roman period. The name “sangria” comes from the Spanish and Portuguese word for blood, “sangre”, referring to the intense red color of the drink, typical for variants that use red wine.
The original sangria recipe is surprisingly simple, emphasizing the quality of the ingredients. At the heart of this drink is red wine, preferably a Spanish one, such as Tempranillo, Garnacha or similar. The wine is combined with fresh fruit, usually citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons, and sometimes with other seasonal fruits such as apples and pears.
Sugar is added to sweeten, and another essential component is a brandy or other liquor, which adds depth and complexity to the drink. In some versions, a small amount of mineral water or soda can be added to provide a refreshing and effervescent effect.
The sangria is then left to sit, sometimes for several hours, to allow the flavors to meld. It is often served in a large bowl, known as a “punch bowl“, with lots of ice, making it ideal for parties or social events.
Variations
Although the traditional sangria recipe uses red wine, there are also variations, such as white sangria, which uses white wine, and rosé sangria. The ingredients can vary depending on the region or personal preferences, and nowadays there are many creative interpretations of this classic drink, such as this winter red sangria recipe.
Choosing the best red wine for winter sangria
Choosing the red wine for your winter sangria is a crucial step that can completely transform the taste of the drink. I will give you some tips to choose the right wine, which will harmonize perfectly with the winter spices:
- Choose a robust wine: For the winter sangria, opt for a robust and full-bodied red wine. Wines with rich red fruit notes pair wonderfully with traditional winter spices such as cinnamon and cloves. Varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Shiraz are excellent choices.
- It does not have to be an expensive wine: There is no need to choose an expensive wine for sangria. An average quality wine will be enough, considering that its taste will be combined with other ingredients.
- Avoid sweet wines: Although a touch of sweetness can be pleasant, wines that are too sweet can dominate the sangria, making it sticky and too sweet. If you prefer sweeter sangria, you can control the amount of added sugar separately.
- Consider the aromas of the wine: Think about the specific notes of the wine and how they can be matched with the spices and fruits that you will use. For example, a wine with notes of vanilla or oak will go well with the warm aroma of cinnamon.
- Wines with notes of spices: Some red wines have natural notes of spices, such as pepper or even hints of tobacco, which can add an interesting dimension to your sangria.
Taking into account these tips, you will be able to choose the perfect wine that will enrich and complete the gustatory complexity of your winter Christmas sangria, making it a memorable drink for cold evenings.
Winter sangria recipe for Christmas and New Year’s Eve
Winter Sangria
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- ¼ cup Grand Marnier orange liqueur
- ¼ cup brandy
- 1 orange slices
- 1 lime slices
- 1 apple slices
- ½ cup pomegranate seeds
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 bottle dry red wine
- ¾ cup ginger beer
Instructions
- In a large pitcher, add maple syrup, liqueur, brandy, orange, lime, apple, pomegranate seeds and cinnamon sticks. Stir well.
- Pour the red wine. Cover with a lid and refrigerate for 2-3 hours.
- Before serving, add the ginger beer to the sangria mix.
- Serve with ice and sliced fruits.
Nutrition
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