Lambrusco Sangria

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Lambrusco Sangria is the perfect cocktail to serve at a party. It’s festive, fruity, and can be made in big batches.

Sangria is the perfect cocktail to serve at a party. It’s festive, fruity, and can be made in big batches.

This Lambrusco Sangria is made with lambrusco, a sparkling red Italian wine which basically combines the best things about red wine and champagne. The wine is paired with cranberries, apple, tangerine, orange juice, and brandy and served over ice. While it is best to let the fruit soak in the brandy for a few hours, you can skip this step if you are short on time. (Umm, is anyone else running around like a chicken with its head cut off trying to get things done before the holidays?)

Most sangrias are made using club soda to add effervescence to the wine. Since lambrusco is sparkling, you don’t need to add club soda- this is a plus since club soda tends to thin out sangria. Lambrusco Sangria has a bigger bolder flavor. The cranberries add a deep red fruit taste while the tangerine and orange juice lend a touch of citrus, and the apple soaks in all of the flavors and is a treat to eat as you sip the sangria.

I made this sangria with San Antonio Lambrusco dell’Emilia, a dry lambrusco. There are both sweet and dry lambruscos. I recommend using a dry lambrusco since the fruit will add extra sweetness to the sangria.

Lambrusco pairs exceptionally well with salty meats like prosciutto and salami and cheeses. Serve Lambrusco Sangria along with a big antipasto platter and you will have a perfect food and beverage pairing.

Before we get to the recipe – if you want some more holiday cocktail recipes, here are a few of my favorites:

This Bourbon Eggnog is made from scratch and it is so much better than the store-bought eggnog.

Need something to help you warm up from the cold? Make Bourbon Butterscotch Hot Chocolate.

These White Chocolate White Russians were inspired by my trip to Iceland.

Cucumber Lime Gin and Tonics are an easy twist on a classic cocktail.

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Lambrusco Sangria

Lambrusco Sangria is the perfect cocktail to serve at a party. It's festive, fruity, and can be made in big batches.

Prep Time 2 hours

Total Time 2 hours

Servings 6

Ingredients

• 1/2 of a Granny Smith Apple
• 1 Tangerine
• 1/3 cup Whole Cranberries
• 1/2 cup Orange Juice
• 1/3 cup Brandy
• 1 bottle Dry Lambrusco chilled
• Ice

Instructions

1. Pour the dice the half apple, and slice the tangerine. Pour info a container with a lid, and add the cranberries, orange juice, and brandy. Let sit for an hour or two. If you are really stressed from time you can skip the step of marinating the fruit in the brandy.
2. Pour the fruit and brandy mixture into a pitcher. Add a cup or two of ice.
3. Pour the lambrusco over, stir, and serve.

And in case you are curious the wine glasses are from World Market.