Don Simon sangria is a wine punch, more formally and precisely an aromatic wine which originated in Spain. It typically consists of red wine, chopped or sliced fruit, a sweetener such as honey, a small amount of added brandy, triple sec, or other spirits.
The ingredients in Sangria vary, particularly in the type of fruit used, the kind of spirits added if any, and the presence or lack of carbonation. White wine can be used instead of red, in which case the result is called sangria blanca. In some parts of southern Spain, sangria is called zurra and is made with peaches or nectarines.
Crucial to all successful sangria is to allow time for the fruit flavors to blend with the rest of the ingredients. Thus preparation consists of cutting the fruit in thin slices or small cubes, then mixing in advance all ingredients except for ice and carbonated sodas. After several hours in a refrigerator, the ice and any last minute ingredients are added and the drinks are poured.
Also crucial to a good sangria is a good wine as the base since in most recipes for sangria the wine remains the dominant ingredient. Lower quality wine can be used to make sangria like wine coolers.
