Making Sangria

It's a kitchen day and I'm in the mood for Sangria.  If I am completely honest, I have been wanting to do this for several weeks now and just keep eating the supplies and buying more.  The cycle must stop today.

Step one:  Chop up some fruit.  I am using a peach, several apples, and an orange.  Then slice some lemons.  I have a pitcher that has a "mixing" pump in it so I place these slices below the plate.  I don't want to eat them just yet.  Then I put all the fruit in ABOVE the mixing plate so we can get to it and include it in our glasses.  Wine soaked fruit is just oh so yummy.

Step two:  Pour in at least one bottle of wine.  More depends on how much you want to make.  I DON'T use an expensive red wine for making sangria.  Never have, never will.  The average cost I pay for these is between $9-$12.

This is how much I have by using only one bottle of wine.

Step three:  Add about a cup of orange juice.  Good stuff.  I even like pulp here.

AND about a cup of brandy (or some other fortifier if you don't care for brandy)

Now I have this much fluid and into the fridge it goes to marinate for awhile.  You need those flavors to combine and feed each other.

Step five:  Take out the pitcher and pour in something sparkly.  I use a carbonated peach soda in mine but you can use whatever you like.  I poured about a liter into the pitcher.  Sorry, the camera went AWOL during this stage.   Pour into glasses and make sure you get some fruit in each one.  Serve and enjoy.  Cheers.