WINES FOR SANGRIA

Eva Pizarro

Sommelier at Fierro restaurant and trainer at Tandem Gastronómico.

Summer is here, bringing high temperatures with it. Today, we’re sharing the recipe for the perfect sangria.

Your body knows it and asks us to adapt our favourite drinks to the heatwaves. Don’t give up on wine — transform it!

Sangria is the go-to summer drink in our country, enjoyed by both tourists and locals at the beach or during casual meals and dinners with friends. Not surprisingly, it holds a Designation of Origin and can only be called by this name in Spain and Portugal, making it a part of our gastronomic and cultural heritage.

The classic sangria recipe includes red wine, fruit, sugar, and some liquor, but it allows for countless variations. Discover the one that best suits you!

Chef Jose Andrés decided to elevate sangria to the category of high cocktails and for this, he uses:
 

• Orange and lemon juice.
• Cinnamon stick.
• Small pieces of hard fruit.
• A good top-of-the-range wine.

Contrary to what we often do — using a low-quality wine — the international chef suggests elevating the sangria by using a good-quality wine. We know the importance of ingredients in any recipe, so why spoil it with a low-quality raw material? After all, the wine will be the star of the mix.

Another interesting tip is to use monovarietal wines, i.e. wines made from a single grape variety. In this way, we obtain a drink with all the personality and nuances that the grape gives us. Thus, sangria becomes a drink that, as well as being refreshing, can help us discover the nuances of the wine with which it’s made.

How about a white sangria? Yes, by using white wine, we transform this classic drink into a lighter, fresher and more subtle beverage.

• If you like it fruity, use a wine made from aromatic varieties such as Muscatel, Malvasia, Riesling... Try tropical-style fruits: peach, melon, mango – fruit explosion guaranteed!
• If you prefer it drier, look for wines made with Verdejo, Albariño, Viura... and do not add sugar to the mixture. Use white fruits: such as pears, green apples or citrus fruits. You will get a refreshing and delicate drink.

Add a sophisticated touch to your sangria with sparkling wine. There are many variations of sangria, and this one will give you a fresh and fun drink with crisp bubbles. Use Cava, Champagne or one of your favourite sparkling wines.

The key to a good sangria is to let the ingredients macerate for a few hours, so if you prepare your sangria at least 4 hours beforehand, the mixture will gain consistency and body.

And add your personal touch with the liqueur of your choice, Brandie, Curaçao, Triple Sec, Cointreau...

Add ice or substitute with frozen fruit, typical in Costa Rica. Add sugar to taste and you are ready for a cool summer!