Sangria Recipe?

I've been browsing for Sangria recipes, but not knowing what's actually good, the recipes are starting to snow me.

Obviously
1 bottle red wine (rioja seems common, but I've seen the gamut)
1 ea sliced orange, lemon and lime
2 tbs sugar or more

And then it gets weird: raspberries, strawberries, peaches; rum (2 oz to 2 cups!) or gin; lemonade, club soda, ginger ale or other pop, or without which could be a pretty stiff drink.

MrsF isn't particularly fond of carbonated beverages, so a recipe that's otherwise diluted might be preferable.

Got a favorite? Let me know.

I soak the fruit in brandy first and never use the soda. If I have it on hand I'll soak the fruit in orange flavored liqueur like Grand Marnier instead. I squeeze a few oranges and add the juice(in place of sugar). Usually, I chop up some apples because I like to eat them brandy-soaked.

My Surefire Sangria recipe - (I usually make 3 bottles worth and serve in a gallon jug)

1 bottle dry red or white wine, (A Charles Shaw varietal works well here)
1/4 cup Cointreau
1/4 cup brandy
2 tablespoons superfine sugar
2 cups freshly squeezed orange juice
1 ripe peach, pitted, sliced
5 strawberries, sliced into thirds
1 seedless orange, sliced in rounds

In a large pitcher,
combine all the ingredients . Fill glasses with ice, and
add sangria. Serve immediately

the fresh squeezed OJ really makes a diffference, you can skimp on the
other fruit. i also add chopped lemon, lime, and apple. Also,
it's better if it sits a little while. The flavor comes out of the fruit.
So basically - cheap wine and cheap brandy - but
don't skimp on the cointreau - it also makes
a huge difference.

Note: If it's too "boozey" for you, adding apple juice dilutes it well without diluting the flavor.

a bartender friend swore by pouring one bottle of Jamaican Ginger Ale into his bucket of Sangria. The fizziness flattens out, so that's not an issue. When putting in fruit, make sure you squeeze the fruit and then drop it in, so you really get the juice in there. You do not need to buy high end wine, it's a waste of wine. Go with 3 buck Chuck, or you can even get away with the jugs of Carlo Rossi. I bet money that's what they're using at the tapas joints around town. good luck!

bjt