How to Make Sweet Sangria

Sangria features plenty of fruit.

Sangria means "blood" in Spanish, but don't let that fool you: The taste typically is quite sweet, mixing wine with fruit and sugar. Traditionally, sangria is made with inexpensive red or white wine and is considered more of a fun drink for informal events.

Things You'll Need

• 1 bottle red or white wine
• 1/2 cup lemon-lime soda
• 1/2 cup lemonade
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 shots (2 oz.) brandy (optional)
• 1/2 cup strawberries
• 1 lemon
• 1 lime
• 1 orange
• 1 green apple

Instructions

1. Pour your bottle of wine into a pitcher or another large receptacle. Add the lemon-lime soda and the lemonade.

2. Add the sugar. Sugar commonly is used, but if you're trying to keep sugar out of your diet, either use less or skip it. The fruit will add plenty of sweetness. You also can use diet soda in the previous step.

3. Add the brandy, if you're using it.

4. Slice the fruit and add to the mixture.

5. Stir and chill the sangria for a few hours to let the fruit juice mix with the wine.

Tips & Warnings

• You can buy very cheap wine. Wine can be purchased at Save Mart and Wal Mart for only $1.97 a bottle.

• If you are watching your sugar intake, buy diet lemon-lime soda, and only add 2 tbsp. of sugar to the sangria.

• There's a variety of lemonade you can use, including frozen lemonade. However, I do recommend using Simply Lemonade.

• You can change the fruit in the recipe. For example, I often replace the orange with a grapefruit.

• Never drink alcoholic beverages if you are pregnant.

• Do not drink and drive.

References

• QandAs: Food: What is Sangria?