The Sangria effect

Want to make a big splash at the next barbecue or outdoor summer party you attend?

Then it’s time for sangria.  Specifically, two recipes – one red and one white – that are sure to catch people’s attention. The red is watered down, meaning I add some ginger ale to soften the drinks potency and sweeten it up. The white, however, is a big punch of booze.

The first problem with bringing sangria to a party is transportation. Driving to these events with an open pitcher of sangria is frowned upon by law enforcement, and most of society. So to avoid legal issues you are going to need at least six, one-litre mason jars. This not only makes travelling safe, easy and legal - so long as the closed jars are stored in the trunk -- but it also makes your drinks serious attention getters. I mean, you’ll be arriving to the party with a case of mason jars! 

TIP: Do not buy good wine for sangria. You may be tempted to dazzle party goers with a great bottle of wine. Avoid this temptation! It’s the cheap stuff you want.

TIP: Bring some ginger ale, club soda, sprite or 7UP with you. This gives the less savage variety of party animals a chance to sweeten a glass of sangria to their liking. Also, bring the leftover bottle of the liqueur (see recipes below) so you can give people an opportunity to give that drink a bit more punch. I’m the guy who is dumping more Cognac in the white wine sangria. I like to sip my cocktails, what can I say?

And now for the recipes!

Very Berry Red Wine Sangria 

You’ll need:
 
• 1.5L bottle of red wine (merlot preferred)
• 12 Ounces – at least -of strawberry liqueur (If you cannot find strawberry, raspberry or blackberry will do.
• Ginger ale to taste (about 1.5 cups)
• Blackberries
• Blueberries
• Raspberries
• Strawberries
• 2 to 4 tbsp sugar

Method:
In a pitcher, combine the red wine and sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved before adding the liqueur and ginger ale. Stir some more, and now go ahead and taste to see if it is to your liking. Set the drink aside.

Add berries to three or four clean mason jars. The number of berries you use is completely up to you. I used quite a bit to give it a visual pop. Pour the now mixed wine into the mason jars, cover and place in fridge.

Now it’s time to make the white wine sangria, and if you only used three mason jars you probably have some red sangria left in the pitcher. SOLUTION: Pour that into a glass and drink away as you clean the pitcher and prepare the next batch of sangria.

I am a known problem solver.

Punched in the Face White Wine Citrus Sangria

You’ll need:

• 1.5L white wine (Pinot Grigio)
• 1/3 cup Cognac (adjust and add to desired taste/ strength)  
• 2 to 4 tbsp (or more to taste) Sugar or simple syrup
• Navel oranges
• Lemons
• Limes

Method:
This is the definition of easy. Pour the bottle of white wine into the pitcher and add the sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Slice the oranges, lemons and limes and place in the mason jars as you see fit. I like to make oranges dominant and place more orange than the lemons and limes combine.

Now take the ends of the oranges that didn’t make it to the mason jars and squeeze the remaining juices into the wine mix. Stir the wine once more and pour into the jars. Close, refrigerate, profit.

NOTE TO READERS: I just received an email that makse a very interesting and solid point. I'm going to copy and paste the message below and adjust the article above to reflect it. Enjoy and thanks to the reader for sending me this:

Conveying liquor in vehicle, boat
32.  (1)  No person shall drive or have the care or control of a motor vehicle as defined in the Highway Traffic Act or a motorized snow vehicle, whether it is in motion or not, while there is contained in the vehicle any liquor, except under the authority of a licence or permit. R.S.O. 1990, c. L.19, s. 32 (1).
Exception
(2)  Subsection (1) does not apply if the liquor in the vehicle,
(a) is in a container that is unopened and the seal unbroken; or
(b) is packed in baggage that is fastened closed or is not otherwise readily available to any person in the vehicle.

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