Tailgating with Costco: World's Best Sangria

We have to share one of our new favorite libations – authentic Sangria -- which we discovered when we visited the outstanding Italian restaurant, Buca di Beppo in Pasadena, where it’s a house specialty. Like most people, we thought Sangria was simply a popular form of red wine, but it turns out to be mixed with brandy and other juices, fruit and liqueurs. Also, it can be made with white and rose wine. Delicious and perfect for tailgating (sticking to our previous themed post). Cheers!

From the Food Network magazine:

How to Make Sangria
1. Mix the wine, liqueur and sugar in a pitcher, stirring to dissolve the sugar, and then add the fruit.
2. Refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to 1 day.
3. Add the seltzer just before serving.

Red
• 1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine (we prefer Barefoot Merlot)
• ¼ cup brandy
• ¼ cup orange liqueur
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 sliced oranges
• 1 sliced green apple
• 1 ½ cups seltzer

White
• 1 bottle (750 ml) dry white wine
• ¼ cup light rum
• 3 tablespoons elderflower liqueur
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 sliced nectarines
• 2 sliced plums
• 1 sliced lemon
• 1 ½ cups seltzer

Rose
• 1 bottle (750 ml) dry rose wine
• ¼ cup brandy
• 2 tablespoons raspberry liqueur
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 ½ cups raspberries
• 11/2 cups quartered strawberries
• 1 sliced lemon
• 1 ½ cups seltzer