Sangria

This is a great drink option for those who are not cocktail lovers.  It is light and refreshing.  My friend Missy served this Sangria at a Super Bowl party and we drank MANY pitchers full.

Ingredients:

• Juice of 6 lemons
• Juice of 2 oranges
• 1 C. sugar
• 2 bottles of red or white wine, chilled
• 4 C. soda water, chilled
• Fruit to float

Directions:

1. Combine lemon juice, orange juice, and sugar in a small pitcher
2. Stir until the sugar is dissolved
3. Let the mixture stand at room temperature for at least 4 hours, then chill in the refrigerator overnight
4. When ready to serve, combine ½ of the mixture with one bottle of wine and 2 C. of soda
5. Float fruit on top, your choice (orange slices, lemon slices, or strawberries)

Tips and Tricks:

• I like my Sangria over ice, but everything in this recipe is chilled, so it is not necessary.
• I have tried this recipe with both red and white wine.  It is important to use a full bodied wine like a Merlot or a Chardonnay.  I made this with a Pinot Grigio and it wasn’t heavy enough to stand up to the fruit.
• I made this with a ½ C. sugar and 12 packets of Splenda to cut down on the sugar.