Nutritious Bartending || The Healthier Sangria

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The sangria is an alcoholic punch that is usually served during the summer at an informal social gathering.   The typical version has a base of red or white wine, an assortment of fruits, a sweetener, and some sort of seltzer, citrus soda, or brandy.  So how does one make a healthier sangria? Use a sweetener that contains minimal sugar.  Opt out of using soda like Sprite, which is also a source of sugar and calories.  Incorporate fruits that contain more antioxidants.  And, if you're up to it, use organic fruits instead conventional ones.

Here are two different recipes for a healthier sangria:

LOW SUGAR SANGRIA (Source)

Ingredients
1 Bottle of red wine
1 Lemon cut into wedges
1 Lime cut into wedges
1 Orange cut into wedges
3/4 cup of raspberries or strawberries
2/3 cups agave nectar as a sugar substitute
2 cups sparkling water or club soda (this has no sugar, compared to ginger ale)

Instructions
Once you have your ingredients together, you'll need a large glass pitcher to mix them in. Start by pouring the wine into the pitcher. After the whole bottle is in your pitcher, squeeze in the juice from your fruit wedges, then drop them in whole. Once you have all of your fruit wedges in the pitcher, add in the agave nectar to sweeten it up, and mix well before refrigerating.  For best results, you'll want to refrigerate for about 24 hours. This will allow the fruit juices to permeate the wine, and the sugar to mix in completely. Wait until just before serving to add in the club soda and your more delicate fruits like berries, peaches or apples. This will make sure the club soda stays fizzy and your fruit won't get soggy.

Video demonstration for this recipe.

HIGH ANTIOXIDANT SANGRIA (Source)

Ingredients
1 cup pomegranate juice, chilled
1 (750 ml) bottle red wine, chilled
1 cup fresh orange juice
1/2 cup red seedless grapes, frozen
1 orange, thinly sliced
1 lime, thinly sliced
1 cup club soda, chilled (or seltzer water)

Instructions
Combine first 6 ingredients in a large pitcher.  Let chill in refrigerator for 1 hour.  Stir in seltzer/club soda, and pour into ice-filled glasses. Enjoy!

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