SangriYES.

One of my favourite things about the summer is that it becomes (sort of) okay to drink during the day, so long as what you're indulging in is sweet and served ice cold. As such, my alcohol budget increases significantly during the warmer months, especially when I don't have to drive anywhere. My current (though by no means original) favourite warm weather beverage is sangria. Although the term technically refers to beverages coming from Spain and Portugal (at least in commercial applications), this is a pretty delicious approximation. It's also incredibly simple to make.

Remember that you need a pitcher and ice. Sunshine recommended but not required.

What you'll need:

A bottle of wine, some juice (I like raspberry lemonade), ginger ale, vodka, an orange, two lemons, a lime, and a couple of strawberries.

This can really be made with any wine, juice, and fruit combination, but my favourite is composed of a $10 wine (you could definitely go cheaper but I live in Ontario where the taxes are high), citrus fruits, juice, and strawberries. Don't bother with expensive stuff, it's going to be wasted in this application. In fact, if you have wine you know you don't like, this would be a good way to use it up. As for spirits, I don't keep the traditional brandy around the house, but I do typically have vodka!

It's really, really easy to make sangria. You just need a cutting board, a knife, and a pitcher large enough to hold the wine and the juice.

First, wash all of the fruit. Some of the fruit will go directly into the drinks, so remove the stickers, scrub them and dry lightly.

Slice up about half a lemon and half of a lime thinly. Juice the remaining lime half, the orange, and the lemons. Dump the juice and citrus slices in the pitcher.

If you have a cut on your hand like I did, you'll be very aware of it at this point.

Then, add the strawberries (quartered).

Look Ma, I'm eating fruit!

Pour in the wine.

Just dump the whole bottle in while regretting not having bought two.

Add two cups of juice. Raspberry lemonade is probably the best thing ever, but orange would work too. Really any juice. Stir with about 1/8 cup (or 60 mL) of vodka. You can use most other spirits, but that's what I generally have around the house.

Now it looks like a shareable quantity.

Leave that in the fridge (covered) overnight. If you have a cover for your pitcher, use it, or just slap some plastic wrap over the top if you don't. As far as waiting goes, I've definitely just pressed on from this point because I'm impatient, and it's turned out fine. It's better if you let it sit for a bit, though.

While you wait for the sangria, a word on what's in it:

Sangria is kind of good for you (not really, it's full of alcohol and straight up sugar) because of all the citrus. One of the most well-known benefits to citrus fruits is the amount of vitamin C (or L-ascorbic acid), which can prevent scurvy. While that's more of an old-school sailor/pirate disease resulting from massive vitamin C deficiency (and virtually erased in the developed world), it's a good excuse to drink sangria. 

Vitamin C is a cofactor necessary for several actions in the body, including the production of collagen (which is why scurvy involves a weakening of blood vessels, improper bone formation, and slowed wound healing). Some animals can synthesize this cofactor on their own, but humans need to obtain it through their diet. It's also suggested to have antioxidant properties, like that seen with resveratrol found in the wine, which may inhibit cancer growth and have other health benefits. 

It's important to note that the antioxidant capacity of vitamin C and the effects of resveratrol on human health are still under study, with some recent findings showing inconclusive results*. Regardless, citrus fruits are good for you, even if the wine and juice aren't. It's also pretty unlikely to overdose on vitamin C from your food, as it's water soluble; excess is easily eliminated by the kidneys. If you're in (reasonably) good health, enjoy away.

Back to sangria:

The next day (or whenever you decide to drink it), mix in two cups of ginger ale and serve over ice.

Add a little more juice if you're serving it to your grandma, a lesson I learned from this experience.

Best served with friends on a porch, and by the pitcher if you don't have air conditioning. Enjoy (somewhat) responsibly.

Red Wine Sangria:

1 bottle red wine
2 lemons
1 lime
1 orange
handful of strawberries
2 cups juice (raspberry lemonade preferred)
1/8 cup (or more) vodka or other spirit
2 cups ginger ale

Wash all the fruits and clear fridge space before starting.

Slice half a lemon and lime each, and juice the remaining citrus fruits. Quarter the strawberries. Add the fruit slices and citrus juice to the pitcher. 

Pour in the wine, juice, and vodka. Cover and let sit in the fridge overnight (same day is fine too).

Right before serving, stir in the ginger ale and pour into wine glasses (over ice). 


*I'm not a doctor and I love wine but I doubt that sugary alcoholic beverages will improve anything but your mood. Neither alcohol nor excessive sugar are good for you, although they are delicious. Try not to overdo it if you're diabetic, have kidney impairment, or a history of alcoholism. Go to the doctor as regularly as you can, and don't be an idiot (with the alcohol or most other aspects of your life).