There are lots of great reasons to plan a vacation in Spain. Aside from the incredible historic cities, the beautiful beaches, the amazing museums, the rich cultural heritage, and much more besides, the hot summers and the local methods of best enjoying them are a great appeal. Not only might you want to work on your tan and play in the sea but you probably want to be comfortable throughout the rest of the day, which is where things like siestas, canopied bars and restaurants, and a generally slower pace of life come in handy. But do you know what else makes a hot day more bearable? Well, a cold and delicious glass of sangria!
One of the best-known drinks and alcoholic beverages in all of Spain, sangria is readily found throughout the country, though it is actually more popular among international tourists and less commonly consumed by locals. From a word that literally means, "bloodletting," in Spanish, the name dates back to the 18th century but the origins of the drink itself are much more uncertain. Similar punches can be found in the culinary traditions of Greece and England and even varies wildly depending on the region of Spain. However, the main ingredients remain red wine (traditionally a Spanish Rioja) and fruit, served cold.
All sorts of fruits can be used, including peaches, nectarines, berries, apples, pears, pineapple, and lime. To these. sugar and orange juice are usually added to sweeten it and then some recipes call for brandy or a flavoured liqueur to add complexity and strength or things like sparkling water for some fizz.
No matter what exact combo is used, the cold, fruity, alcoholic beverage is ideal when you’re in holiday mode and is the perfect thing to enjoy while on holiday in Spain. So, be sure to sample an authentic and local version during your next stay in one of our villas in Spain.