Sangria

Sangria is a fruity Spanish cocktail made with red wine and chopped fruits such as pears, peaches, berries, apples, nectarines, or pineapple. The beverage is often combined with sugar, orange juice, sparkling water, and even brandy. It is believed that the predecessor of Sangria is hippocras, a beverage made with wine, sugar, and spices.

Hippocras was prepared by early Greeks and Romans, who used alcohol to make the beverage drinkable, as water was typically filled with bacteria and was unsafe to drink. The name Sangria means bleeding in Spanish, referring to the red wine used in the preparation process.

Even though no Sangria is made in the same way, it has been traditionally prepared with Spanish Tempranillo and similar wines from Rioja. In the 1700s and 1800s, Sangria varieties were prepared in France and England, while the American varieties have been prepared since the 1964 World’s Fair in New York City.

Nowadays, European law states that the authentic Sangria must be made in Spain or Portugal, and it must contain less than 12% alcohol by volume. Although Sangria is regularly served at bars and restaurants, where it is served in tall glasses and garnished with an orange slice, especially during summer, it is said that the best versions are made at home.