Sangria economics...

The Aldi Sangria

All spring and summer we have been enjoying the wonderfully priced produce at Aldi.  For 99 cents I have been purchasing cantaloupes, strawberries, blueberries, kiwis, and most surprisingly, pineapples (although they have gone up in price recently...to a whopping buck fifty nine).  

I love sangria in the summer...it is fruity and light, and a bit lower in alcohol than some other libations (at least the way I make it :).  I call this economical version "The Aldi Sangria," as even the wine is from Aldi, the $3.29 a bottle Winking Owl chardonnay...don't let the extraordinarily low price put you off, it is no worse than other "house" or "table" wines served all over.  The only thing not from Aldi is the triple sec- I had to get that at Kroger, but I stayed with the economic and low alcohol theme here ($5 and half proof).  For the next big gathering I have I am going to triple this and serve it in a big glass jar with a ladle.  I have also done this with the Winking Owl shiraz, using citrus, give either one (or both!) an try before summer ends...

1 bottle Winking Owl wine

- chardonnay if you want sangria blanca, shiraz if you want the more traditional sangria roja

1 cup triple sec

several cups of fruit, cut into bite sized pieces if large

-citrus slices are always good, but use what you like, and use a lot of it

 Mix the wine, triple sec, and fruit in a glass pitcher.  The pitcher above had pineapple, kiwi (these two on their own are particularly good), cantaloupe, and blueberries.  Refrigerate for several hours, or better yet, until the next day.  Serve over ice in a pretty glass, being sure to get some fruit in each portion (this you will eat with your fingers before getting another glass, yum, yum).