Ask A Philadelphia Expert: Top Sangria Recipes

Sangria is primarily a combination of fruit juice and wine, and depending on yourself and what nutritional information you read, it is almost healthy. Sangria is a Spanish/Latin American drink served over ice. Some sangrias use brandy as well as wine and may mix up to three different fruit juices, plus sweeteners such as agave nectar or simple syrup. There are places in Philly that will serve this refreshing drink as part of their happy hour specials. Chefs from Philly's famous eateries Amada and Bar Ferdinand provide some sangria recipes you may want to try on your own.

Chef Garces
Amada
217 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 625-2450
www.philadelphia.amadarestaurant.com

Chef Garces mixes up three different types of sangria to suit different tastes. Whether you desire a lighter drink (Blanco Sangria), a spicier drink (Temporado) or something in the middle with some tartness (Tinto), you can find one that you will enjoy. Amada has some of the best Latin flavors in the entire city. One of the most popular dishes to pair with your sangria is the Manchego plate (finely aged cheese on a baguette with apple slices) which is served with lavender honey. You can book a table online.

Sangria Blanco

• 2 apples
• 2 pears
• 2 oranges
• bottle of dry white wine
• 3/4 cup spiced simple syrup or agave nectar
• 1/3 cup orange liqueur
• 1/2 cup club soda (per serving)

Directions

1. Cut up all 6 pieces of fruit into cubes.
2. Pour wine, syrup and liqueur into pitcher and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight.
3. Ladle one part fruit mixture with one part wine mixture.
4. Top with club soda.
5. Pour sangria into glasses full of ice.
6. The batch makes 6-7 servings.

Related: Top Places for Sangria in Philly

Blake Joffe
Bar Ferdinand
1030 N. 2nd St.
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 923-1313
www.barferdinand.com

Bar Ferdinand is one of the top three places to get sangria in Philly, according to numerous patrons and websites. Besides the many types of sangria you can enjoy, Bar Ferdinand also serves delicious tapas. There are 15 types of tapas served here, so order many and share. For seafood lovers, try the scallop and crab with saffron and blood orange. This will pair nicely with sangria. The cost to enjoy an evening here is a little on the pricey side but the quality is excellent.

Laricot Sangria

• 2 bottles of white wine
• 3 oz. orange juice
• 2 oz. apricot Brandy
• 2 oz. orange liqueur
• 1/2 a honeydew
• 2 lemons
• 2-3 oranges
• 1/2 pint of strawberries

Directions:

1. Cut up the honeydew into cubes, and slice the rest of the fruit.
2. Mix the wine, juice and liqueurs.
3. Place fruit in the bottom of the pitcher.
4. Pour wine mixture over the fruit and refrigerate for two hours.
5. Serve over ice (makes 8-10 servings).

Watermelon Sangria

• 1 bottle of dry white wine
• 3/4 cup of watermelon schnapps
• 1/2 cup white cranberry juice
• 2 cups watermelon balls/cubes
• 2 limes

Directions:

1. Slice your limes and cube watermelon if not purchases pre-cubed.
2. Mix all ingredients and pour in a pitcher.
3. Cover and refrigerate for four hours.
4. Serve over ice.

Related: Top Frozen Cocktails in Philly

Christina Dagnelli is a freelance writer in Philadelphia and the author of Little Squares with Colors: A Different way to look at autism. Her work on examiner can be found here Examiner.com.