Uncle Ozma's Sangria Sublime Recipe

If you've ever had Sangria, you probably don't think much of it. Sangria is a wine punch originally intended to be made using the cheapest wine you could get, combined with a bit of some kind of liquor and cheap fruit- whatever was on hand, and often was old and about to go bad, and some sweetener to make it all palatable. It was intended to get you drunk as cheaply as possible. It was intended as a party drink, to be made at home with whatever was on hand. Sangria sold in bars is often just wine mixed with lemonade and some citrus soft drink. Pretty gross. However, in this day and age Sangria has taken on a sophistication it was never meant to have and interesting recipes abound.

Last year I was going to a Thanksgiving party and I hit upon the idea of making Sangria. I researched about 50 recipes on the Internet and then came up with my own variation. Surprisingly, it was a hit! A fluke, I thought. Beginners luck! This year I went to the same party and thought I would try to make the same recipe again. It worked! It tastes wonderful and will get you plenty drunk. With many more holiday parties looming I thought I would share the recipe with those who might be interested.

INGREDIENTS:
1.5 litre bottle of a good Merlot. I like using Merlot because of its full body. Find one that's fairly mellow- not too acidic. High alcohol content helps- 13-17%.

1 bottle Mr. Boston Cherry Flavored Brandy

1 cup sugar

1 bottle sparkling water- I use a flavored water, cherry or strawberry.

3-4 tangerines or mandarin oranges- get them fresh, not canned

1 pound strawberries- I use the kind that come frozen in a carton. If you use fresh strawberries, use more than a pound.

1 package (10-12 ounces) frozen raspberries.

Ice cubes.

NOW ON WITH THE FUN:

Pour about 1/3 of the bottle of Merlot in a big punch bowl. Slowly add the sugar and mix with a wooden spoon until the sugar is dissolved. Poor in the rest of the Merlot and Brandy. Mix with the wooden spoon. Peel and section the mandarins/tangerines and throw them in the bowl. Add the strawberries & raspberries. Put the bowl in the refrigerator and let chill for several hours. At least two. The longer the better, so the fruit can infuse with the alcohol.

When you're ready to serve- after dinner or with desert is a perfect time- remove the bowl from the fridge. Using the wooden spoon, take some of the fruit from the bowl and put it in the bottom of each glass (use clear glasses- this drink is beautiful to look at). Put a couple ice cubes in each glass. Using a ladle or spare glass pour some of the Sangria into each glass- 3/4 to 4/5 full. Top off each glass with some of the sparkling water. Serve & ENJOY! Make sure you eat the fruit at the end- it tastes great!

I guarantee it will be a hit. If you do try out this recipe, give a little credit to the ol' Uncle Ozma!