i am not this body

sangría like you mean it

there are as many sangría recipes as people willing to drink it, so take this as just one of a shzillion variations on the theme. except it's mine.

This version is specific to the lower Southwest, where the snowbirds grow ornamental citrus trees in their overwatered backyards yet keep bowls of artificial citrus on their tables for show. Somebody has to help those poor neglected oranges and lemons fulfill their destinies, and that person is now you. Congratulations!

Ahwatukee MidWinter Sangría:

• the bottle of red wine your boss gave you in lieu of a bonus
• one orange (or two) stolen from a neighbor's tree (hey, they were going to let it rot anyway, weren't they? you've done a good thing here...)
• likewise, one liberated lemon
• one lime, if you must (don't steal this one, okay?)
• liquor of your choosing: rum is good (dark, light, spiced, whatever, don't care. just not Bacardi); brandy will do nicely; don't even think about using good tequila or whiskey in this one or I will come to your house and take it away from you.
• sugar to taste (I don't add it, but some of you high fructose crackheads insist; no more than 2 tbsp)
• seltzer, club soda, ginger ale even (if you use the latter, please don't add sugar)

1. cut the sweet fruits of your thievery (that's the citrus, eh) into wedges, remove accessible seeds, squeeze into a pitcher or jug
2. add the wine, liquor, and optional sugar
3. mix softly (enough to dissolve sugar if used), cover and chill overnight or however long you can wait
4. pour into glasses and add half again as much soda, stir a bit
5. stand outside just before sunset and bask in the incongruity of 65 degree weather literally in the middle of winter. enjoy or else.

posted by Jon Drucker @ 5:53 AM