When entertaining, I like to serve one main cocktail and then have some basic alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages on hand for those who don’t wish to partake in the beverage I have chosen to serve.  A few weeks ago I had some of Paul’s family here for food and cocktails and given that it was the start of the warm weather in Toronto, I decided to make a huge pitcher of sangria.

Sangria is one of those beverages that is perfect for summertime entertaining. On a hot summer day, there’s nothing more refreshing than an ice-cold glass of sangria filled to the brim.

Little is known about the origins of this flavourful Spanish drink but it has become a popular summertime beverage. It is generally believed that the word Sangria is taken from the Spanish word sangre meaning blood, in reference to the red color of this wonderful beverage.

You will find many versions of how to make sangria on the internet but the one I like the best is the one that I had when I was in Spain last year.

Here is what you will need:

• One bottle of red wine (preferable Spanish)
• 1/4 cup of brandy
• 1/4 cup of Triple Sec or Quantro
• 2 cups of orange juice (non pulp)
• 2 cups of cranberry juice (like Tropicana)
• Fresh cut fruit such as strawberries, blackberries, orange slices

Here is how to make it:

• Add the sliced fruit to the bottom of a pitcher
• Add the wine, brandy, Triple Sec, orange and cranberry juice to a pitcher
• Let merry for a minimum of 30 minutes before serving

I hope this recipe inspires you to be creative in your kitchen – enjoy!