Summer Sangria

Sangria is easy to make, versatile and very refreshing. You can make it many different ways to suit what you have on hand and adapt it for personal taste. The basics you'll need are cheap red wine, fresh fruit, liquor, sweetener and a carbonated beverage. The following is my favourite recipe — I find the peaches and pineapple really make a difference. Sangria is the perfect summer drink to serve at parties, picnics and barbecues.

Ingredients:

1 - 1.5 L Cheap Red Wine

500 - 750 mL Club Soda or Sparkling Water

2/3 C Brandy

1 Lemon or 2/3 C Lemon Juice

1/2 C Agave Nectar

1/2 Pint Raspberries

1-2 Peaches

2 Limes

1 Large Naval Orange

1 Apple

1 Pear

1/3 Large Pineapple

Ice

Cut up the fresh fruit and juice the lemon.

Mix together.

Add the agave nectar (or other sweetener) and the brandy (or other liquor) to the fruit. Mix together. Add enough wine to the fruit so that it's all covered or submerged and set aside overnight (or for at least 3 hours).

Before serving add any remaining wine and the club soda or sparkling water. Add ice as desired and serve. Little cocktail forks are useful for getting the wine-soaked fruit at the bottom of the glass, which is the best part of sangria.