ACROSS THE world, there?s one favourite tipple when summer starts to sizzle, and it?s not beer. The Spanish and the Portuguese invented sangria, but it?s become a global hit in restaurants, as well as at get-togethers at home. The recipe is pretty simple: a bottle of wine that?s been open too long, a splash of orange juice, some cut-up fruit?apples, pears, oranges?and a dash of soda or ginger ale and crushed ice. It had become so popular that some companies started to offer pre-mixed sangria in bottles or cans. Spain and Portugal objected at what they saw was their patent and, finally, the European Union stepped in and declared that bottled sangria must come from Spain or Portugal as much as champagne must come from the specific region in France and Scotch whiskey from Scotland. In future, aromatised wines produced elsewhere will have to clearly state their country of origin on the labels, marking them, for example, as German or Swedish sangria.
The EU?s action is also to do with the growing popularity of sangria across the world?in India, pubs and restaurants have jugs of sangria on offer for events like the IPL or the Fifa World Cup, which attract groups. It?s a drink that comes freshly mixed in large jugs and is best enjoyed by the entire table. The drink?s growth and popularity is to do with its taste, like a slightly sweet but chilled wine. Sangria can be made with white or red wine, so any wine that?s been opened and not drunk is ideal for the base. As a party drink, it has few equals, much like a punch bowl during Christmas, but one that?s available all year round, and especially enjoyable in summer. Spanish and Portuguese brands, pre-mixed and bottled, have shown a sharp spike in sales in recent years, and that?s because the drink averages 6-7% alcohol, which means women can enjoy it too. It?s really the younger generation, looking to stay healthy and not get drunk, who are driving sangria sales. The leading brand, Lolailo, is made in Spain?s Castilla-La Mancha from a blend of premium wine and fresh fruits, but the beauty of sangria, as a community drink for a hot summer?s day, is that it does not have to be an expensive wine, any decent wine will do. There?s nothing quite like a sangria party in India?s unbearable summers to stay cool and enjoy the flavours and the company, all drinking from the same jug. Now, the World Cup is here, and with summer temperatures peaking, sangria?s the way to go. Here?s how to make it:
Ingredients
A bottle of wine, white or red
1 lemon, cut into wedges
1 orange, cut into wedges
1 lime, cut into wedges
1 apple, cut into wedges
1 mango, cut into slices (optional)
2 tbsp sugar
A splash of orange juice
2 shots of triple sec (optional)
1 cup of raspberries or strawberries
1 cup of diced pineapples (with juice)
4 cups soda or ginger ale
Ice
Method
Mix all the ingredients together, stir well and serve in a large jug or punch bowl.