Red Sangria with Cointreau & Seasonal Berries

A refreshing, easy and delicious cocktail for a warm summer afternoon is a colourful pitcher of red Sangria, typically made with red wine, triple sec, fresh seasonal fruit and a touch of citrus flavoured soda or bubbly water. The word Sangria comes from the Spanish word 'sangre', which means blood, which is an appropriate name considering its colour. We generally use a flavourful yet inexpensive medium-bodied wine such as Rioja, Merlot or Zinfandel and an orange flavoured liquor such as Triple Sec, Grand Marnier or Cointreau. For fruity accents, seasonal produce such as raspberries, oranges, strawberries or blackberries are great. Sangria is a perfect cocktail for parties, because you can mix up a few pitchers and keep them chilled until needed. So grab a bottle of wine, a few friends and whatever fruit you have on hand, and enjoy!  




Red Sangria
Makes 1 pitcher

1 bottle dry red wine - Rioja, Merlot or Zinfandel
1/2 cup Cointreau, Triple Sec or Grand Marnier
1/2 cup ginger ale or club soda 
2 cups of mixed fruit: raspberries, oranges, strawberries, blackberries etc.
1 orange, thinly sliced, for garnish

Add the wine, Cointreau and sliced fruit into a pitcher. Cover and let marinate for an hour or so in the fridge. The longer it sits, the more intense the flavour! Stir before serving to redistribute the fruit, then add the soda and ice cubes. Serve in wine glasses, over ice with a spoonful of the marinated mixed fruit and a garnish of sliced orange. Chin-chin!