Super Bowl Sangria

Sangria, it’s not just for summer, it’s for Super Bowl sipping too! With the big game quickly approaching, you need something that will keep you going so you don’t get too tipsy from high alcohol drinks or too full from all those party foods and filling beer. Back in Tampa, when we hosted a cook out or a party that was going to last awhile, I would make up a big batch of Sangria. I find cutting the alcohol with fruit or club soda, you can stay in the game for the long haul. I recently received a sample of Eppa Super Fruit Sangria. Antioxidants, real fruit juices, just 8.5% alcohol and only 120 calories, you really can have you wine and drink it too!

Pomegranate and blueberry are the dominant flavors up front with blood orange bringing up the rear. I found it a little sweet so I added some cinnamon which really cut the sugar down.

The Sangria is a blend of Mendocino Cabernet and Syrah. The Cabernet provides the structure and depth while the Syrah brings fruit flavors to the party. The grapes are then combined with antioxidant-rich juices from pomegranate, blueberry, Mediterranean blood orange and Acai. Red wine is naturally rich in antioxidants but the addition of these super fruits raises the glass so to speak to nearly twice the amount of just straight red wine.

At this time, Eppa Super Fruit Sangria is only available in Florida found in local retailers. For the rest of you, why not make your own Sangria. You can even play around with some super fruit juices for the antioxidant benefits.

Sangria is a popular Spanish wine “punch” typically served in casual social gatherings during the hot summer months. Traditional Sangria is made with wine, chopped fruit, a sweetener, and brandy.

2 bottles of red or white wine

1 apple sliced
1 orange sectioned
Half a lemon
Half a lime
Cinnamon (to taste)
Seltzer or club soda (optional)
1-2 cups Pomegranate juice (optional)
Combine in a pitcher, pour over ice, enjoy

For a southern twist, add a little Junior Johnson’s Midnight Moon Cranberry Moonshine. That will put a little giddy up in your glass, however does defeat the purpose of enjoying a lower alcoholic beverage.

For more traditional Sangria, try the following:

1/2 cup brandy
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup orange juice
1 bottle dry red wine
1/2 cup triple sec
1 lemon, sliced
1 orange, sliced
1 lime, sliced
1/4 cup white sugar (optional)
maraschino cherries
2 cups carbonated water (optional)

Before leaving Tampa, one of my favorite things to do with friends was meet them at the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City. The food was ok, but what I went for was the ambiance and Sangria! Amongst the colorful tiles, the fountain (if you were lucky enough to get in the main dining room), the Spanish accented wait staff, and a lovely pitcher of Sangria on your table, you’re taken away to another place. Until you step outside and just about get run over by one of the fuel tankers coming from the Port! Cheers!

If you would like to send samples for my review, please contact me at kstargaard@yahoo.com.

2012© Kellie Stargaard.  All Rights Reserved.

http://winechicksguidetoeverydaywines.blogspot.com/

Follow me on:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/winechicksguide
Twitter:http://twitter.com/WineChicksGuide