SANGRIA

This drink is the one that you just associate with Spain. Like most things, there are millions of different ways of making it but this is what I do. Unlike a cocktail, you do not have a prescriptive recipe, and it is not that strong. Mind you if you put in lots of Liquor then it could be very strong. And if you sit in the sun or have spent the day on a beach then this is the sort of thing you know is going to be refreshing, hitting the right spot and easing you in to a long evening and night of walking and talking.

1 bottle full-bodied red wine
2 cups of the local orange brandy liqueur, Like Grand Marnier or Cointreau
2 cups of orange juice
1 to 2 tablespoons sugar
¼ of a orange sliced
¼ lemon
½ peach or other seasonal fruit in a big dice
1 bottle sparkling water

Cut your fruit up and put that in a big jug. Add the brandy liquor, orange juice and the red wine and give it all a good stir together. Now let this sit in the fridge till you are ready to use it. You can make it up about 20 minutes before you want it.

Take the jug out of the fridge, fill with lots of ice, and top up with the sparkling water. If you want, you can use club soda.