Sangría.

There is no such thing as "Traditional or Authentic Sangría". Sangría is a party drink designed to get your guests drunk.. really cheaply. It is usually made using cheap red wine, cheap spirits(Usually whiskey, or brandy) and the cheapest fruit you have lying around, usually apples, oranges and peaches, which are too old and soft to eat. If it still doesn't taste too good, then add some sugar and cinnamon.

You can always spot the British tourist in a bar on the Costa del sol(and no..it's not the hankey on his head or the white sports socks with sandals) they will be the ones drinking the Sangría! Sangría to the Spanish is what "Punch" is to the English speaking countries, a great social lubricant for a big house party but something you would never dream of ordering in a bar. Bar served Sangría is aimed exclusively to the tourists and is changed appropiately. Bar owners know tourists will pay over the odds for Sangría, because they see it as being "Spanish" You often won't actually be getting Sangría but "Tinto Verano" which is a cheap red wine, topped up with lemonade, a lot of ice then some fruit thrown in!...You are better off making it yourself!

This recipe will help you create a very nice summer "Party Sangría" for your BBQ's and social gatherings with the only difference being ..you are using quality ingrediants.

Ingredients (Small Party size):

2 (75ml) Bottles of red rioja.
1Ltr of lemonade.
1/2 cup of Cointreau.
1/2 cup of White rum.
1/2 cup Brandy.
2 cups of orange juice(Freshly squeezed).
1/2 cup white sugar.
2 Sliced oranges.
2 Sliced lemons.
2 Lemons squeezed for juice.
2 sliced limes.
1 Peach remove stone and chop.
1 Pear and 1 apple both cored and chopped.
1 cup of fresh strawberries topped and quartered.
2 cinnamon sticks.

Method:

Place all of the fruit pieces and juice, brandy, cointreau, white rum, sugar, and orange juice into a large bowl, stir gently until the sugar dissolves, cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours.
Add the red wine, cinnamon sticks and lemon juice, again cover and refrigerate for a further 2-3 hours.
Before serving add the lemonade chilled and the quartered strawberries. Serve over ice, spooning the fruit into the glass as you pour.