(Source: Oxford Social Club)
Greetings and sangria salutations! There’s nothing like sangria, the sweet-tart wine and fruit beverage, to put you in a San Diego state of mind. And there’s no time like the present to enjoy it.
Sangria is a feel-good beverage, whether it’s enjoyed as a cocktail or by the batch with friends. At Oxford Social Club, we offer a variety of sangrias as party-friendly “communal provisions” which are second to none and perfect for making your night out memorable.
As a salute to Sangria, we’re going to explore this refreshing beverage in this post, including what it is, where it comes from, how it’s made, and a little bit of fun trivia!
What is sangria, anyway? Undoubtedly you’ve heard of sangria…but do you know what it is, precisely? Actually, this isn’t necessarily a cut and dry question to answer. In the most simplistic terms, sangria is an alcoholic beverage of Spanish origin, consisting of wine, chopped fruit, and other flavorings/ingredients, which are combined, allowed to “steep”, and then served chilled.
However, within every component of sangria, there’s room for variation, which means that depending on ingredient availability, the mixologist’s personal style, and customer demand, sangria can look very different depending on the establishment and who is making it.
What are some of the different types of sangria? As mentioned above, sangria can be many different things to many different people, with variations existing based on the ingredients used and the style in which it’s made.
Nonetheless, even with infinite variations, there are two key types of sangria: red and white (sometimes called sangria rojo or rosso, and sangria blanco), respectively.
Probably the most traditional (and oldest) sangria variation features a juicy red wine such as rioja which is combined with a mixture of cut fresh fruits (common fruits include apples, berries, melon, pears, peaches, or other regional fruits).
White sangria is a newer variation, and follows the same basic construction, but features white wine instead of red. As a further spinoff of white sangria, some prefer to make a white sparkling wine or champagne variation.
Now, with any sangria variation, there are many different ways to “dress it up” or make it unique. For example, one might play with the combination or ratio of different fruits added. As another variation, one might decide to add sugar or juice for an extra touch of sweetness. Yet others like to fortify the sangria with some sort of hard alcohol or flavored liqueur.
Oxford Social Club’s sangria offerings: At Oxford Social Club, you’ll find three different types of sangria offered on our menu under the heading “Communal Provisions”. Made by the batch, this is the perfect group order to get the party going. Here are the different sangria options we offer:
Champagne sangria: Blood orange juice, mint, lemon, lime, and strawberries are combined with your choice of champagne: Dom Perignon or Moët Imperial to make a pinkies-out sangria option that’s perfect for a special night out.
White wine sangria: White wine, Rothman & Winter Orchard Apricot, Cocchi Americano, and lemon are combined to create this zingy sangria.
Red wine sangria: Red wine, Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino, and lemon come together to form a memorable and tipsy concoction.
Why is it called sangria? Many believe that “sangria” is derived from the Spanish word sangre, meaning blood, referring to the ruby hue of the drink when made with red wine. However, others insist the root of the word is much older, coming from the Sanskrit term sakkari, meaning “sugared wine”. Regardless of where the name comes from, one thing’s for sure: “sangria” equals delicious in any language.
Who invented sangria? Like many other types of food and drink, the origins of sangria remain somewhat hazy. Here’s what we know.
Winemaking in Spain dates back centuries; in fact, the first vineyards are said to have been planted as early as 200 BC. With a friendly climate for wine grapes, the region quickly became known for its wine.
However, who exactly had the idea that all of that wine would be well-suited to making a punch beverage (yes, sangria is considered a punch) remains a mystery. We do know, however, that the idea caught on like wildfire: by the 1700s, wine punches were all the rage in Europe, with sangria being among the best-known versions.
Like many European foods and traditions, sangria eventually found its way over to the United States. It became quite fashionable in the US following World War II, and really made a splash when it was offered at 1964’s World’s Fair in New York City. Since then, it’s remained a popular beverage that can be served alongside a number of different cuisine types.
What makes sangria so great? What makes sangria so popular? Well, quite frankly, there’s a lot to love about the beverage. Since we eat (and drink) with our eyes first, we should mention the visual appeal first. Sangria is visually striking: with chunks of fruit floating in wine, it’s lovely to behold.
It gets even better when you take your first sip, though. Served chilled, sangria is undoubtedly refreshing, but its flavor is also fascinating. The sweetness is contrasted with the tartness of the wine and fruit, which makes the flavor complex and layered. In spite of the flavor complexity, it’s easy to pair with foods; really, you’d be hard pressed to find a food that doesn’t taste better with sangria by its side.
Sangria trivia: Need some great cocktail banter for your next get together? Here are some fascinating facts about sangria:
Sangria has a Caribbean cousin! In the tropics, there’s a popular beverage called sangaree, which is a fruit-augmented spiced wine.
Sangria is serious business in Europe. In the EU, the title of sangria is not given lightly. Per European Union law, only sangria made in Spain and Portugal may be sold and labeled as such in Europe; elsewhere, the title must specify where it is made (for example, “Italian sangria”).
Sangria is undoubtedly one of life’s great pleasures, and it’s even better when enjoyed with friends. Order up a batch of our communal provision sangrias and get the party started at Oxford Social Club!
Do you prefer red, white, or champagne sangria?