The History and Evolution of Sangria

It’s difficult to stay away from Sangria these days as it's way too tasty to pass on by. Sangria is a mixed alcoholic beverage from Spain and there are several variations including red wine sangria, white wine sangria, blue sangria, and many other variations of the tasty beverage. The ingredients may also vary depending on the region it is from. People from all around the world have come up with their own versions of the drink also. The Spanish wine punch has evolved from its humble origins. For years, you can enjoy sangria at BBQs, get-togethers of every kind, and as it is quite an adaptable recipe, you can make it with mainly the fruits you have at your home for the most part. That being said traditional sangria is similar in the sense that it consists of wine and any ingredients that are nearby. 

Hippocras is the early Roman and Greek version of sangria or perhaps its distant cousin. It was made with wine, sugar, and spices, and whatever was available. Hippocras was sometimes heated such as mulled wine. Individuals who lived in modern-day Spain were doing something almost identical with grapevines near 1,100BC. 

The Islamic Moors conquered Spain in the early 700s and both the wine and sangria industry and products slowed and likely came to a complete stop. The Moors' command ended in 1492 and the return of wine and sangria became present again. Traditional Spanish sangria has been crafted with Spanish Tempranillo, citrus fruit, and other wine from Rioja. Interestingly enough, even back in the past, the sangria was often made differently. 

England and France crafted their own versions of sangria in the 1700s and 1800s and incorporated French grapes. There’s even a sangria made from peaches, known as zurra. The United States has enjoyed the beverage in all its fashions and has ebbed and flowed in popularity. In the 1964 World Fair in NYC, Spain sponsored the drink and that was the event that made Americans become passionate about the taste, and that never went away. 

Sangria is the best homemade as you can add whatever ingredients you want. Some recipes call for brandy, while others use liquors. By making it at home, you can experiment with flavor and create a perfect sangria for you. 

Currently, under European law, sangria must be made in Portugal or Spain and have less than 12 percent ABV.