5 Things You Should Know About Sangria In India: Recipes, Types & Tips

From bachelorette parties to tapas bars, sangria is a beloved wine cocktail enjoyed by many wine enthusiasts. While this Spanish drink is popular, it is often misunderstood and considered complicated. That's why we're sharing five important things you should know about sangria - covering what it is, how it is made, and some interesting facts you might not be aware of. Without further ado, let’s explore these five key points about sangria!

5 Things About Sangria Wine Lovers Must Know!

1. Origins Of Sangria

Sangria, to begin with, is a mixed alcoholic drink made using red or white wine and chopped fruits. Its origin traces back to the 18th century, where ‘sangria’ means ‘bloodletting’ in Spanish and in Portuguese.

The traditional cocktail has its historical roots in the Middle Ages (5th to 15th centuries) in the Kingdom of Leon. Initially crafted as a concoction using wine, oranges, lemons, sugar, and spices, the drink gained popularity, particularly during Holy Week. The Holy Week commemorates the seven days prior to the day of Easter.

In the Caribbean, sangaree served as the predecessor to modern-day Sangria in the early 19th century. Originating in the Caribbean, it was introduced to mainland America where it largely disappeared by the early 20th century. However, the Sangria saw a revival in the United States in the late 1940s thanks to Hispanic Americans and Spanish restaurants.

2. Ingredients To Make An Ordinary Sangria Fancy!

A sangria tastes delicious when made using the traditional recipe, however, if you’re in the mood to add some extra pizzazz to your drink, you must experiment with a few ingredients.

A traditional sangria is made by combining red or white wine with an assortment of chopped fruits like strawberries, apples, pears, blueberries, and more. Fruit juice is also sometimes added into the drink. However, there are a number of other ingredients you can add to your usual sangria to make it taste even more delicious.

• Sparkling water or soda water can each respectively add some sparkle and fizz to your drink. They can improve the texture of your drink and make it more palatable if you’re not used to drinking wine.
• Herbs and spices such as rosemary, chaat masala, cardamom, and others can add a unique kick of flavor to your drink. These herbs and spices can elevate the look and flavor of the drink.
• Frozen ice cubes with added fruits and herbs can make the drink look more visually appealing. Additionally, it can help keep the drink cooler for a longer time.

Also Read: Sip Outside The Box: 7 Uniquely Flavored Wines You Must Try!

3. Traditional Spanish Sangria vs Indian Fruit-Based Recipes

If you order a jug in Spain, you’ll most likely get the classic red wine base, chopped oranges and lemons, a touch of sugar, and maybe a splash of brandy and orange juice. Traditional Spanish Sangria is restrained, rustic, and balanced. However, in India, it packs its bags and goes tropical.

Here, it often arrives with a variety of fruits like lychees, pomegranate pearls, apples, pineapples, along with a splash of orange soda. The sangria you get here is often brighter, punchier, and more experimental.

4. Best Red And White Wine For Sangria In India

It’s not mandatory that you use high-end, premium wine to make sangria. Any good quality red or white wine can do the job.

Here are the best suitable red wine types to make a classic sangria:

• Merlot
• Zinfandel
• Syrah / Shiraz
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Tempranillo
• Malbec

If you’re making a white sangria, we’d recommend using these kinds of white wine:

• Sauvignon Blanc
• Chardonnay
• Pinot Grigio
• Moscato
• Riesling
• Albarino

Also Read: Best Time to Drink Red Wine for Health Benefits​

5. Essential Tips for Making Sangria In India

• Sangria can be served both at room temperature or slightly chilled. If you’re making it on a hot day, the latter is the most ideal, whereas you can serve room temperature sangria regardless.
• Sangria is typically on the sweeter side. However, you can make it dry by leaving out the orange juice. Or you can make it sweeter by adding simple syrup and / or soda at the end.
• Let the fruits soak in the sangria for a minimum of 3 to 4 hours; up to a maximum of anywhere between 6 to 8 hours. Keeping it longer than that can break down the walls of the fruit skin too much and mess up the flavor of the sangria.
• The classic recipe relies more on citrus fruits, however, we recommend experimenting with the fruits you use until you find a recipe that you enjoy. Test several mixtures, several fruit combinations, and even different kinds of wine until you find your recipe!
• Making a sangria is fairly easy and straightforward, and many sangria lovers do not even follow a recipe. However, we recommend following a recipe for the initial few times you make a sangria. It will help you understand the ratios and the fruit-booze combinations.
• You don’t always have to use expensive wine to make good sangria. Expensive wine = good sangria is a huge myth! Any good quality wine, even reasonably priced ones, can do the job.

Summing Up

Sangria is a cocktail that doesn’t require elaborate procedures, a long list of ingredients, or bartending skills. Simply chop fruits and add them to the wine with a few mixers and sweeteners. In this article, we’ve shared with you 5 things to know about making sangria – so now go ahead and make use of this useful information and tips!