SANGRIA = LOVE

I LOVE SANGRIA. Period. Here's my favorite basic recipe. I make it often (as friends and family will attest). I change the fruit and the liqueurs depending on my mood and what I have on hand. You will LOVE this! Serve it tonight and your guests will NEVER LEAVE! In the summer, I like to use Rose' wine because it's light and refreshing and goes well with grilled dishes. But..... as a red wine geek, I LOVE to make it with all kinds of reds......California Cabernets, Merlots, South American Malbecs, South African reds plus the lush and wonderful Shiraz wines of Australia. So many wines, so little time....... Lots of great buys for less than 15 bucks a bottle! Great wine source for inexpensive picks: I love Binny's, of course).....also, lots of great choices at Trader Joe's & Whole Foods. But, heck, you can get great bottles from the grocery store (Jewel, Strack & Van Til, Sam's Club) any day of the week! Enjoy the recipe and give me your feedback. I would love to hear from you.

Note: It's mandatory that I make and serve my Sangria in this kick-ass pitcher which I painted on a recent trip to Mexico (while my fellow travelers were sunning and swimming ; )........I was in the shade, painting this pitcher and drinking Electric Lemonades. LOL. Thank you Steve, for gingerly carting it home on the plane!

Basic Sangria Recipe

1 bottle of rose' or red wine

1/4 cup brandy (I like apricot)

1/4 cup orange liqueur* (Great options from France, Italy and Spain)

1 cup of orange juice (I like the one with lots of pulp)

1/4 cup simple syrup (u know - 50% water & 50% sugar - bring to a simmer & stir until the sugar melts......let it cool and store it in the fridge) - I ALWAYS have this on hand in the fridge for emergency batches of sangria and to sweeten anything in a hurry)

lots of fresh fruit - (I use orange slices, lemon slices, lime slices and tart apple slices PLUS fresh blackberries, fresh blueberries and/or fresh cherries in season)

*If you're cheap, use Triple Sec (if you can't hang with Grand Marnier).....I recommend trying Gran Gala (Italy), Gran Torres (Spain), Cointreau (France) and without a doubt, Grand Marnier, also hailing from France. To me, orange liqueur and red wine dance a delicious tango. Damn, I love that dance. Especially while listening to Pa' Bailar by Bajofondo.I start with the fruit. Toss it into your favorite pitcher. Add the booze and mash a bit with a wooden spoon. Then, add the wine, the OJ and the simple syrup. Don't add ice cuz you don't want to dilute the flavors. Stir & chill. It's great after it's been in the fridge overnight, but you can drink it immediately too, don't worry! Serve on the rocks in pretty glasses with lots more fresh fruit. I also like to throw some lemon balm or lemon verbena in the glasses. I toss some into the pitcher as well. Seriously, it's no big deal. The stuff grows like weeds. Plant some.

Salute!

Katie XOXO