Sangria "Fruit Punch"
I made this recipe for an 8.ate@eight dinner party and the pitcher was emptied before I could get the ice cubes out of the tray. Ok thirsty party people, I guess we don’t need ice. I take that to be a sign of an outstanding concoction. And since Memorial Day is this weekend {one of my favorite holidays since it signifies the start of BBQ season} I wanted to share this stand-out sangria recipe — very easy to throw together and nice to have something done ahead of time for a party! This is one of the best sangria recipes I’ve made, if I do say so myself.
Spanish Sangria!
1/2 cup brandy
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup frozen lemonade concentrate
1/3 cup orange juice
1 (750 milliliter) bottle dry red wine
1/2 cup triple sec
1 lemon, sliced into rounds
1 orange, sliced into rounds
1 lime, sliced into rounds
1/4 cup white sugar (optional)
8 maraschino cherries
2 cups carbonated water (optional)
In a large pitcher or bowl, mix together the brandy, lemon juice, lemonade concentrate, orange juice, red wine, triple sec, and sugar. Float slices of lemon, orange and lime, and maraschino cherries in the mixture. Refrigerate overnight for best flavor. For a fizzy sangria, add club soda just before serving. Ole!
And something to go with that glass of good grouse:
Avocado & Tropical Fruit Salsa {also good as an entree side}
Creole Roasted Fresh Corn-Tomato Salsa
Fresh Lime-Margarita Marinated Watermelon{double duty bites}
8.ate@eight 
I’m ready – when do we start??
Here’s a simple recipe I learned at a bar on a beach north of Barcelona ages ago when I studied in Europe.
Combine:
• 1 part brandy (Spanish if you can find it)
• 2 parts triple sec (Cointreau or Grand Marnier)
• 3 parts vodka
• 6 parts hearty burgundy (or some other cheap red wine)
Add (at least one of each)
• halved sliced lime
• halved sliced lemon
• large quartered sliced orange
Chill in the refrigerator overnight or at least for a few hours.
To serve
• add ice to a glass
• fill it half way with the booz mixture
• pour equal parts of orange and lemon soda (Fanta orange and Squirt are what I use) to fill the glass
• add slices of fresh fruit (or grab some out of the mix)
If you follow the quantities I listed it will purr like a kitten and KICK LIKE A BULL. To tone it down add more wine. If your ears get warm and you smile uncontrollably it’s time to stop drinking 🙂