6 sangria recipes you must try this summer

If you are looking for something fun, flavorful and refreshing that can be made with or without alcohol, sangria is one that checks all these boxes.

Thought to be invented by the Romans (in 6000 B.C.), also credited with naming it “sangria,” which translates into “blood,” because its color resembles blood.

It likely was created out of necessity, because water back then often was unsafe to drink, the addition of alcohol was necessary to kill harmful bacteria.

Sangria is a delicious drink and also good for our health when made with beneficial ingredients.

For example, if you use a good red wine, which provides heart-healthy, cancer-fighting antioxidants, and fresh fruit, which contains a high dose of vitamins, minerals and protein, there’s more than simply refreshment in your glass.

Although it may be made many different ways, sangria typically is prepared from red wine, fresh fruit and sometimes a little brandy or rum. Today, the foot has come off the brakes with sangria recipes, so just about anything can be mixed into it.

When making a sangria with wine, select one you would drink by itself. Reds like a Bordeaux or Cabernet or Rioja work best. However, whites like a Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio work well, too.

Always use fresh fruit. Citrus, berries, plums, pears or any other fruit you desire pair well, but time is necessary for the flavors to marry properly with the wine, and a “must do” for true sangria to fully bloom with flavor.

The most important rule for making a good sangria is to give it time to steep, at least half a day, so plan ahead and be sure to make plenty of it.

To lower the alcohol content, or even make your sangria nearly non-alcoholic, try simmering your favorite wine for a few minutes.

Alcohol will cook off, and if you do it gently, not with a rapid, rolling boil, the wine’s flavor will remain intact. This helps you avoid sugary grape juice or soda substitutes.

Here are some -special ways to sip your way splendidly through summer, with a little help from sangria. Enjoy!

True summer sangria

Yield: 8 servings

3 cups dry red wine

1 1/2 cups sparkling mineral water

1 1/2 cups orange juice

1 lime, sliced thin

1 lemon, sliced thin

1 orange, sliced thin

1/2 cup brandy

1/4 cup sugar or sub (optional)

2 tablespoons Cointreau liqueur or orange liqueur

2 tablespoons grenadine

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

Berries (in season), whole and sliced

Ice cubes

In a large pitcher, combine wine, soda, orange juice, brandy, sugar, Cointreau, grenadine, lemon juice, lime juice and half of the lime slices, lemon slices, orange slices, and berries. Let stand for at least 2 hours.

Sippin’ sake-ginger sangria

Sake has less sugar than wine and none of the sulfites and tannins in the traditional drink.

Yield: 6 servings

1 cup water

1/3 cup sugar or sub

1 4-inch piece ginger, peeled and cut into thin rounds

3 pears, cut into chunks

1 lemon, cut into thin rounds

1 bottle dry sake

Simmer water, sugar and ginger over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat and cool. Strain syrup. Stir together pears, lemons, ginger syrup, and sake in a pitcher. Refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.

Sober strawberry-green tea sangria

Rich in disease-fighting antioxidants.

Yield: 6 servings

7 cup water

6 green tea bags

1/4 cup dried hibiscus flowers (optional)

3 cup strawberries, stemmed and quartered

Boil water and steep with green tea and hibiscus. Let cool and strain. Combine green tea and strawberries in a pitcher. Refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving. Serve over ice.

Cheery cherry sangria

Offers all the benefits of tart cherries in every glass.

Yield: 8 servings

2 cup frozen pitted cherries

1 cup halved red grapes

2 small oranges, sliced into thin rounds

1 cup tart cherry juice

1 bottle red wine

In a pitcher, combine all ingredients. Refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving. Serve over ice.

Wonderful watermelon sangria

Yield: 8 servings

1/2 small seedless watermelon

2 limes, cut into thin rounds

2 cup strawberries, stemmed and cut into chunks

1 bottle rosé wine

Scoop watermelon into balls using a melon baller or ice cream scoop. Freeze on a parchment-paper lined cookie sheet overnight (makes about 4 cups). Combine frozen watermelon, limes, strawberries, and rosé in a pitcher. Refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.

Marvelous mojito sangria

Loaded with anti-aging vitamin C, silica and trace minerals.

Yield: 12 servings

1/3 English cucumber, cut into thin rounds

2 limes, cut into thin rounds

10 fresh mint leaves

2 cups white grape juice (100% juice)

1 cup white rum

1 bottle white Rioja Spanish wine or other dry white wine

Sparkling mineral water (optional)

In a pitcher, combine cucumber, lime slices, mint leaves, grape juice, rum, and wine. Stir gently then. Refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving. Serve over ice with a splash of soda.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. Healthy Supplies Shop is  not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of healthy supplies shop  and we do not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.