By: Tati Amare
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The summer may be coming to a close, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to put away the chill drinks! No matter what the season, we can enjoy a fruity glass of sangria just the same! Essentially a sweetened wine punch accented with fruit, sangria’s roots are from Spain and Portugal, but in recent years the drink has expanded its reach to the U.S. and beyond.
Aside from being lower in calories than most of our favorite cocktails (how does under 200 calories per glass sound to you?), sangria isn’t loaded with extra sugars that you’ll get with syrups at the bar. Not to mention, there are so many recipes and flavors that you can find the right mix for just about anyone.
In our search for the perfect sangria, a friend filled UrbLife.com in on Kiki’s Kickin’ Sangria, saying it was the best she ever tasted, so naturally it made us curious about the concoction. Self-described as being from a “clan of very social women,” founder Kiki told us that her company grew from serving friends and family until she got her recipes perfected.
One of my personal favorite things about sangria is that it doesn’t have a hard-core, strict recipe, so you can have fun and be creative with your personal batch. I’ve always mixed and matched fruit and wine to my own liking, and so does Kiki. She has a peach-flavored sangria made with white wine that is light, fresh and not too sweet. That may be considered an unusual flavor for sangria, but trust, it’s amazing!
Kiki’s red sangria tasted like a deep fruit punch with just the right amount of kick, and after a proper tasting, I can testify to the name of her sangria line. Her goal is to make it the best line on the U.S. market, and she’s well on her way to making that happen.
Kiki shared this flavorful mix with us, and while it’s not her ‘secret’ recipe, it’s still delightful enough for everyone to enjoy!
In a large pitcher, combine:
- 1 bottle of red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Rioja, Zinfandel, Shiraz)
- 2 tbsp sugar
- A Splash of orange juice or lemonade
- 2 shots of gin or triple sec (optional)
- 4 cups of ginger ale
- Any fruit you desire
Also check out these videos from Rachel Ray and Giada via The Food Network for more sangria ideas! There’s even a tip for alcohol-free sangria…
CLICK HERE to find out more about Kiki’s Kickin’ Sangria on the official Facebook page, and follow Kiki on Twitter @KikisKickin
