Camping Sangria Recipe
Sangria is one of the most social of drinks. Not quite wine, not quite punch, it can serve (and please) an entire crowd. It's more refined than tequila shots, but more relaxed than opening a bottle of something that needs to breathe for a while before being sipped. Best of all, it's extremely portable.
Since it's a mixture of alcohol and fruit that tastes best if it's been given time to mingle, sangria is an ideal concoction to pack for a camping trip?especially one that's taking a page from the idea of the siesta. A mid-day rest, a mellowing drink, and the company of good friends to enjoy both can be just the thing to revitalize someone wearied by the workweek.
The popular drink has roots in Spain, back when the Roman empire was spreading and putting down roots of its own, sometimes in the form of grapevines. Throughout the ensuing Middle Ages, wine flourished as a more sterile (and thereby safer) alternative to bacteria-infested water, and fruits and spices were often added in to provide some flavor variations. Camping is a bit like those ancient times, mainly in the possibly dodgy water department, so what was good enough for them is more than good enough for us now?especially with all of the great stuff we have available today that we can add to our wines if we want.
These sangria recipes were work-shopped in a home kitchen, then carefully sampled and re-sampled in a mountain cabin beset by thunder and lightning. I can't guarantee the atmosphere, but I can guarantee that these drinks are quite delicious (even when swigged straight from the mason jar). The white is, perhaps obviously, a lighter drink, and drinks especially well if chilled, so you'll want to stash it in an ice chest until it's time to unscrew the lid and pour. The red is a bit more complex, and the pomegranate seeds literally give you something to chew on. Speaking of which, these sangrias make use of seasonal fruits, so keep that in mind if you plan to make them next early spring. As with all good drink recipes, they can and should be tinkered with.
WHITE CAMPING SANGRIA
What you need
Ingredients:
- 1/2 orange sliced thin and quartered
- 1 small or 1/2 large lemon sliced thin and quartered
- 1/2 apple sliced thin and chopped
- 1/2 pear sliced thin and chopped
- 1/2 cup brandy
- 2 cups of Spanish white wine (inexpensive is ok)
- 2 cans of sparkling apple juice or sparkling water
Tools:
- Mason jar with lid
Method:
Combine all the above ingredients, except sparkling apple juice/sparkling water, into a quart mason jar. Shake gently and refrigerate or put in ice chest. Allow flavors to mingle for 12 to 24 hours.
When ready to serve, combine mason jar contents in a pitcher with sparkling apple juice or sparkling water. Stir gently and serve over ice. You can also pour from the jar into individual cups and top off with the juice or water.
RED CAMPING SANGRIA
What you need
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup raspberries
- 1/2 orange sliced thin and quartered
- 1/2 cup brandy
- 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds crushed slightly
- 2 cups fruity Spanish red wine (it can be inexpensive)
- 2 cans lemon-lime soda or sparkling water
Tools:
- mason jar with lid
Method:
Place all the above ingredients, except soda/water, into a quart mason jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake gently and place in refrigerator or ice chest. Allow to cool for 12 to 24 hours (or more).
When ready to serve, combine the mason jar mixture in a pitcher with 2 cans of chilled lemon lime soda (for a sweeter sangria) or sparkling water (for a drier sangria). Stir gently and serve over ice.
No pitcher? No worries! Spoon a few pieces of fruit and some of the sangria mixture into individual cups. Add some beautiful ice cubes and top off with lemon lime soda or sparkling water.
Tagged Camping Recipes