Pepe's Spanish Sangria Recipe, Whats Cooking America (2024)

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For our Madrid stopover, we booked an hotel near the airport in Barajas (a small town near the Madrid airport). The shuttle bus driver had recommended Campanilla Restaurante, A Tapa Bar and Restaurant, when he dropped us off at our hotel. Pepe, the owner of this wonderful family restaurant, demonstrated tableside how to make his “secret” Spanish Sangria and also made suggestions for ordering food for the table.

First, there is no such thing as traditional or authentic sangria. You can always spot the tourists in a bar in southern Spain, as they are the ones drinking sangria. To the Spanish, thisis a party drink and is there for one reason – to get you drunk very cheaply. Thus, this drinkis aimed almost exclusively at tourists and is charge appropriately. Sangria is served throughout Spain in the summer months. In the northern areas, it is considered a summer drink . In the eastern and southern areas of Spain, the drink is served all year. Sangria recipes are not complicated and they vary from place to place, depending on what is on hand and what people prefer. There is no science to making sangria – just do what tastes best!

Pleasecheck out my Spanish Paella Dinner Menu (with recipes) using this delicious Pepe’s ‘Secret’ Spanish Sangria Recipe.

History of Spanish Sangria:

Sangria takes its name from the Spanish word “sangre” which means “blood” and refers to the blood-red color of the drink. The original Sangaree (or Sangre of Sangoree) was a punch documented in London as far back as 1736. The drink spread to the Spanish-speaking world and became known as “sangria” where it is based on Spanish wine. In an article published in the Forth Worth Gazette newspaper, June 7, 1892, there was an excerpt that read:

“Her servants hand around trays of glasses filled with sparkling water or with what is called sangria – a very refreshing draught composed of equal portions of wine and water with sugar, ad libitum, and sufficient lemon juice to give it a pungent flavor.”

Sangria is related to wine punches served throughout Europe. It is closely connected with Spain as beer is with Germany and tequilla with Mexico. In early years, the people of Spain would dilute the wine with water. They later diluted the wine with fruit juice to make the taste even richer and to decrease the concentration of alcohol. The real Spanish sangria is called tinto de verano.

Pepe demonstrating how to make his “secret” Spanish Sangria

Pepe's Secret Spanish Sangria Recipe:

Prep Time

15 mins

I really like this version of sangria as it is very smooth and delicious tasting!

Course:Drinks

Cuisine:Spanish

Keyword:Pepe's Secret Spanish Sangria Recipe

Servings: 4 to 6 servings

Author: What's Cooking America

Ingredients

  • Zest(rind) of 1 large orange
  • Zest(rind) of 1 lemon
  • 1/2cupRed Martini(sweet vermouth)*
  • 1/4cupCognacor Brandy
  • 3/4bottlewine(Spanish Rioja or red wine)**
  • 1tablespoon granulatedsugar(optional)
  • 1canorange Fanta sodapop or similar orange soda***
  • 1canlemon Fanta sodapop or similar lemon soda***
  • 4icecubes

Instructions

  1. Use a large glass pitcher, large enough to accommodate the liquid and fruit, when making your sangaria.

  2. Place the rind (skin) of the orange and lemon in the bottom of your pitcher.

  3. Add the Sweet Vermouth, Cognac, and red wine . If adding sugar, add it now . We did not add the sugar and it was delicious and sweet enough with it.

  4. Using a long-handled wooden spoon, stir the mixture well, approximately 15 to 20 seconds. Pepe also pressed down on the fruit rinds, with the wooden spoon, to help release the flavors as he stirred.

  5. Pour in the orange and lemon Fanta soda pops. Add the ice cubes and stir approximately 3 to 5 seconds. Pepe says not to add any additional ice.

  6. If making your sangria ahead of time and refrigerating, do not add the soda pops or ice until ready to serve.

  7. Serve the sangria in wine glasses of your choice. Add enough sangria to fill the glasses about 1/2 full.

  8. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Recipe Notes

** Basically, any red wine can be used in the making of sangria. However, it is thought that a young, fruity red wine makes the best sangria. Use only wines in your sangria that you would drink. Never, never use any wine that you would not drink! If you do not like the taste of a wine, you will not like the sangria you choose to use it in. For more information, please read my articleCooking with Wine.

*** Fanta is a global brand of fruit-flavored carbonated soft drink created by the Coca-Coca

Company. If making your sangria in advance of serving, add the soda pops and ice just before serving. Pepe says,"Use pop with gas. No gas - no life."

Related Recipes

Categories:

Beverage History Food History Spanish Summer Videos- Cooking Videos Wine and Sangria

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Pepe's Spanish Sangria Recipe, Whats Cooking America (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients in sangria? ›

Sangria is a punch that traditionally consists of wine, chopped fruit and a mixer (usually lemonade, orange juice or sparkling water) as well as other ingredients such as liqueurs and spirits.

What is traditional sangria made of? ›

Traditional Spanish sangria is made with red wine, water, herbs, spices, and fruit. Today's sangrias have a wide variety of ingredients, and each recipe is different. Soda and brandy are common modern additions.

Is sangria stronger than wine? ›

If you're new to the sangria scene, you might wonder, "Is sangria stronger than wine?" Not necessarily. While sangria contains wine and often brandy, the addition of fruit and optional soda or sparkling wine dilutes the alcohol, making it a relatively mild, fruity beverage.

How strong is sangria in Spain? ›

EU law says bottles from Spain are limited by law to less than 12% alcohol by volume (ABV). Bottles produced in the U.S. usually have between 5% and 15%. Sangria made with red wine is usually stronger than white wine punches.

Which brandy is best for sangria? ›

"When choosing a brandy, it is best to go toward a Spanish one made with Spanish grapes," said Trujillo. "I find Carlos I Solera Gran Reserva Brandy to be perfect for sangria." This brandy was aged in American oak casks and has notes of vanilla and caramel.

What is the best wine for sangria? ›

The best wine for sangria is Garnacha (also called Grenache) or Pinot Noir. Garnacha comes from Spain, so it's my top pick for authentic Spanish sangria! Choose an inexpensive wine (under $20) that you would enjoy on its own. Why Garnacha and Pinot Noir?

What is sangria made of in Spain? ›

Sangria (English: /sæŋˈɡriːə/ sang-GREE-ə, Portuguese: [sɐ̃ˈɡɾi. ɐ]; Spanish: sangría [saŋˈɡɾi. a]) is an alcoholic beverage originating in Spain and Portugal. A punch, sangria traditionally consists of red wine and chopped fruit, often with other ingredients or spirits.

Why was sangria illegal? ›

Sangria, wine mixed with fruit, has always been legal and available. The issue comes about when Sangria is mixed with brandy or other spirits that raises the alcohol content of the drink. Alcohol-boosted Sangria was illegal because of a 1934 law formed post-prohibition to keep the percentage of alcohol low in drinks.

What is the alcohol content of real sangria? ›

Alc. 7% to 10% by volume. Product of Spain.

What does sangria do to your body? ›

Sangria contains all the properties and benefits of red wine. Thanks to its powerful antioxidants, polyphenols and flavonoids protect cells from aging. And also has resveratrol is a substance having the grapes that protects against inflammatory processes in the body.

Is sangria full of sugar? ›

The average sangria has a few different sources of added sugar. First, the fruit is usually soaked in a sugary coating before added to the wine. Next, premade fruit juices and liqueurs are usually added to the mix, which can quickly add up to more sugar.

Is sangria a ladies drink? ›

Sangria. Yet another fruity and refreshing drink in our list of co*cktails for ladies is Sangria, Its origins can be traced back to the Roman Empire, where it was known as “sima” and was made with wine, honey, and spices.

Can you get drunk from one sangria? ›

A bottled sangria with 13.9% alcohol content is getting people so drunk that it's being called the 'new Four Loko'

What do Spanish people drink instead of sangria? ›

Tinto de Verano

It's simply red wine and lemon soda, so it's fast and cheap to make and drink all summer long. It has the fruity taste of sangría, but is usually less alcoholic.

What is the national drink of Spain? ›

The national drink of Spain

Although there is nothing officially considered the national alcoholic drink of Spain, many people would say is the Spanish sherry wine (also known as vino de Jerez). Of course, when talking about the Spanish national drink, we could name many of them because of their popularity.

Why is sangria so strong? ›

I would say that depends on how it is made. A basic sangria starts with wine and fruit/fruit juice. By definition this will have a lower ABV than the wine. However, it can be made with added brandy or sherry, in which case it could be as strong or stronger than wine.

Is sangria a wine or drink? ›

Sangria's popularity in the wine section of shops and restaurants might have you wondering “is sangria wine?” Well, sangria isn't a type of wine per say, but it is a delicious wine-based beverage that emphasizes wine's delicious fruit-forward elements.

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