Sangria

 Sangria

             Serves 8–10

             Outdoor summer parties in Spain always include big jugs of this fruity, spiced wine punch. You can add seasonal fruit to give an extra burst of variety and colour – it seems so festive and is the perfect drink for a summer Christmas.

             1 cup water

             ½ cup sugar

             1 stick cinnamon

             1 orange

             1 lemon

             ice cubes

             750 ml dry red wine (Spanish, if available)

             1 × 1.25 litre bottle soda water

              

             Combine the water, sugar and cinnamon stick in a saucepan and boil for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow the syrup to cool. Slice the orange and lemon, place them in a bowl and pour the syrup over the fruit slices. Marinate for at least 4 hours.

             Fill a large glass pitcher one-quarter full of ice. Add the marinated fruit, 1 cup of the syrup and the red wine. Stir well with a sangria stick or a wooden spoon and add soda water to taste. Serve in chilled wine glasses.

             TIP Peach slices, strawberries or other fruit in season may replace the orange and lemon.