Sweet and Fruity, Hangover-Inducing Sangria

Er...maybe I should have left that part about the hangover out of the title... Either way, this stuff is absolutely delicious. Just make sure you don't drink too much. Or, don't drink it if you are prone to hangovers if you even take a whiff of any type of liquor. I usually stick to wine and beer due to that exact problem but this Sangria is just too tempting to pass up.

 
There is one major problem with it - it doesn't taste like alcohol. Thus, the hangover. If you can handle your liquor better than I can, I definitely suggest you try it the next time you're looking for a fun party drink. Everyone I have made it for has agreed it is quite tasty and I have never had any leftovers. It's perfect for any get together even as we're moving into cooler days (hopefully soon here in the south)!!

You can easily double or triple this recipe for more guests. We had just four people at our house on Sunday and this was the perfect amount of Sangria. We could have easily doubled the recipe but then I probably wouldn't have been the only one with a hangover...

Your ingredient list: 1 bottle of red wine. 1 bottle of Brandy. 1 bottle of Triple Sec. 1 container of Orange Juice. An orange, lime and a lemon. Lemon Juice (hiding). Limeade Concentrate. Not shown: maraschino cherries.

Start with some brandy. Add it to your Sangria jug.

Squeeze out some lemon juice and add it to the Brandy.

Open up your frozen limeade and scoop some out. Add it to the lemon and brandy mixture.

Add your Orange Juice.

 

Next up: a full bottle of red wine. Use whatever red wine you like as long as it is a dry red. Don't use a sweet red wine, it will make this way too sweet. I have friends who only like red wine if it's sweet and they enjoyed this Sangria without the optional sugar mentioned in the recipe below. I used our wedding wine. It's a homemade Pinot Noir and it's absolutely perfect in this Sangria.

Add the Triple Sec to complete the liquid portion of your Sangria.

Slice up your fruit and add it to your pitcher. Fill a glass with some ice and enjoy immediately or refrigerate for later.

Sangria
Serves: 4
1/2 cup Brandy
1/4 cup lemon juice 
1/3 cup frozen limeade
1/3 cup orange juice
1 bottle dry red wine
1/2 cup Triple Sec
1 orange, lime and lemon, sliced.
10 maraschino cherries
1/4 cup sugar (optional)
2 cups sparkling water or soda like Sprite or Ginger Ale (optional)

• Mix together the Brandy, lemon juice, limeade, orange juice, wine and Triple Sec in a large pitcher. 
• Add the sliced fruit and cherries to the pitcher. 
• Add sugar and water, if needed. I choose not to include the sugar because I think it's sweet enough already. I will add the sparkling soda or water if I have it in house or if I have room in my pitcher.
• Stir the mixture and serve over ice if serving immediately. Refrigerate for later use and serve with fruit slices fished out with a fork. or tongs.
• Enjoy in moderation. :)