Summertime, Sangria time!

This Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial kickoff of the summer season!  Why don't you whip up some nice, cold, refreshing Sangria for your friends and family to enjoy while they sit on the patio? White or red, this refreshing iced wine drink is a favorite at barbecues, and pitchers full of fun!

Sangria was born in Spain and is traditionally made with red wine, brandy and fruits. While Sangria was only introduced in the United States at the World's Fair in 1964, the drink has been around for centuries. A few weeks ago I posted about how beer was considered "safe" to drink because water was often contaminated - well, the same is true for Sangria. Many families would make their own wine from fruits and berries, and then they'd add other fruits and spices to change the drink up and add new, interesting flavors.

Although traditional Sangria is made with red wines, white Sangria, known as zurra in southern Spain, is becoming more popular.

Although pre-made Sangrias are available and popular, the best Sangrias are the ones you make yourself, with things you like! At Joe Canal's in summers past, we've whipped up batches of the following two recipes for tastings. This 4th of July weekend in our Woodbridge location, we'll be serving it again! Come visit us on Friday from 4 - 6 or Saturday from 1 - 3!

Protocolo Red Sangria
-2 bottles Protocolo Red Wine (750 mL)
-1/2 cup Cointreau
-1/2 cup Christian Brothers Brandy
-1/2 cup Iceberg Silver Rum
-Juice of 1 large lemon
-Juice of 1 medium lime
-2 tablespoons sugar
-1 1/2 tablespoons Tabasco Sauce (optional)
-Club soda or ginger ale to taste
-1 small orange, sliced thin
-1 small lemon, sliced thin
-1 small lime, sliced thin
-1 can of chunk pineapple

Mix the wine, Cointreau, brandy, rum, citrus juices and sugar in a large pitcher. Refrigerate overnight. Immediately before serving add in the Tabasco sauce (if you like), club soda, ginger ale, orange, lemon and lime slices and chunk pineapple. Serve over ice.

Zack's White Sangria Recipe

-2 bottles Gazela Vinho Verde
-2-3 cups Pinnacle Vodka (to taste)
-3 cups Stirrings Peach Bellini
-2 bunches basil, plus more for garnish
-1 pint blueberries
-4 large, ripe peaches, diced

Bruise one basil bunch with a muddler and combine it in a small saucepan with the Stirrings Peach Bellini. Let it slightly boil, then simmer until basil is infused. Pull out the basil leaves and let the mixture cool. In a large pitcher or punch bowl, mix in vodka, the peach/basil concoction and the Vinho Verde. Mix thoroughly; add the peaches, blueberries and the fresh bunch of basil.