What IS sangria?

Sangria is a sort of punch made primarily from wine.  The other ingredients typically include sliced fruit; a sweetener (like orange juice); alcohol such as brandy, triple sec, or Grand Mariner; and some type of carbonation.

One reporter's quest to find the best sangria in Boston...

Psssst...here's the recipe for the renowned Dali sangria:

• 3 750 ml bottles of Viña Borgia Rioja (Agricola de Borja)
  
• 1 cup brandy (use something cheap)
  
• 1 cup Triple Sec
  
• 1 cup simple syrup (sugar and water, equal parts, shaken till dissolved)
  
• 1/2 gallon of orange juice (a no-pulp variety)
  
• Sliced-up oranges

Mix ingredients (some like to let it sit for 4-6 hours), ladle over a lot of ice; be sure to include some fruit pieces when serving.

Other Boston hot spots

Bostonians like their sangria, and will debate passionately about who serves it up best.  Of course, taste is a relative thing, but there are some spots that garner more unanimous praise than others.

The quest for the perfect recipe

Sangria is a simple, fun, and festive drink – and perfect for entertaining, which is why so many people attempt to make it themselves.  But often, it takes some trial and error to find just the right recipe that makes you say “Wow”.  (And when you find it, give me a buzz.  I’ll be right over.)  Here are some to try.

Emeril's sangria

• 1 (750-ml) bottle red wine
  
• 1/4 cup brandy
  
• 1/4 cup orange flavored liqueur (recommended: triple sec or Grand Marnier)
  
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  
• 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
  
• 1/4 cup sugar
  
• 1/2 orange, thinly sliced
  
• 1/2 lemon, thinly sliced
  
• 1 unwaxed apple, cored, and cut into thin wedges
  
• 1 (750-ml) bottle sparkling water, chilled

Combine everything but the sparkling water in a large plastic container or glass pitchers. Cover and chill completely, 1 to 2 hours. When ready to serve, add the sparkling water. 

Sangria! Sangria!

• 1/2 cup brandy
  
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
  
• 1/3 cup frozen lemonade concentrate
  
• 1/3 cup orange juice
  
• 1 (750 milliliter) bottle dry red wine
  
• 1/2 cup triple sec
  
• 1 lemon, sliced into rounds
  
• 1 orange, sliced into rounds
  
• 1 lime, sliced into rounds
  
• 1/4 cup white sugar (optional)
  
• 8 maraschino cherries
  
• 2 cups carbonated water (optional)

In a large pitcher or bowl, mix together the brandy, lemon juice, lemonade concentrate, orange juice, red wine, triple sec, and sugar. Float slices of lemon, orange and lime, and maraschino cherries in the mixture. Refrigerate overnight for best flavor. For a fizzy sangria, add club soda just before serving.

How about a WHITE sangria?

• 1/2 cup hot water
  
• 1/2 cup sugar
  
• 1 750 Ml bottle white wine
  
• 3/4 cup brandy (if desired)
  
• 1 lime – cut in slices
  
• 1 orange – cut in slices
  
• 1/2 cup raspberries
  
• 2 cups club soda
  
• Cracked or cube ice
  
• Mint leaves for garnish

Heat the water and sugar until sugar dissolves and then allow the liquid to cool to room temperature.  Add the remaining ingredients, including brandy if desired.  Before adding the soda water, chill contents for at least several hours or overnight if possible. Add the soda water.  Pour each serving over ice and garnish with several fresh raspberries and a sprig of mint when ready to serve. Enjoy!

Berry sangria

First, soak the strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries in rum for at least 3 hours (or, preferably, overnight).  Once the fruit is ready, mix the white rum, white wine, red wine and cranberry juice in a pitcher. Play with the proportions to suit your taste.  Then – add the fruit.  Ladle into large goblets and serve chilled.