I feel like this week should be a celebration week, hence an alcohol post on a Monday 😉
First off, I just got back from an amazing weekend in San Francisco slash Napa and so I most definitely have wine on the brain. (I’m currently prepping photos to share with you guys… it was such a fantastic time). It’s also my birthday on Friday, so naturally we need to be celebrating that all week long. (Yes I’m channeling my inner 5- year-old). And Cinco de Mayo is fast approaching so… you know… Spicy Citrus Sangria should simply be something we all have in our lives.
There is this little charming restaurant called Cueva Bar in San Diego that Dave and I love to head over to when we are craving some Spanish apps and drinks. The menu is great and I’m sure I will at some point create a food recipe based on one of their dishes, but the stand-out item that I return to again and again is their spicy sangria drink.
(Aka, after going to their restaurant, I’m not sure I ever really want to have sangria sans spicy ever again).
And it is most certainly the inspiration behind this recipe.
My recipe is not outrageously spicy as I prefer just a subtle zing, but if you are a spice-a-holic, feel free to adjust the quantity of chiles to your satisfaction. My recipe is bright, citrusy, boozy, and leaves your palate tingling with a subtle heat, sip after sip.
The technique here is to create a simple syrup that is infused with chiles to season the sangria. I used 8 dried chiles de arbol that I heated with 1/4 cup of water and 1/4 cup of sugar on the stove. (I think you should also be able to attempt this with fresh chiles (i.e. jalepenos or serranos) if you don’t have access to dried chiles, but I haven’t officially tried this method so let me know if you try it).
The simple syrup will turn a reddish color when it is ready to use. You certainly could add more or less of the chiles to taste, and also the longer you infuse the spicier it will be. Just bear in mind that the simple syrup itself will taste quite spicy alone, but once it is diluted in the cocktail it will mellow out and be more subtle in the finished beverage.
So I hope that I’ve inspired a few of you to attempt the spicy route when you make your next batch of sangria. 
I’m planning a near constant party this week so I’ll keep you posted 😉
Spicy Citrus Sangria
Ingredients
- 1 bottle dry red wine I used a Pinot Noir
- ½ cup triple sec
- ½ cup brandy
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- ½ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ cup water
- 8 dried chiles de arbol stems removed
- Sliced citrus fruit- I used 1 orange 1 lemon, and 1 lime
Instructions
- In a pitcher combine red wine, triple sec, brandy, lemon juice, and orange juice. Stir well to combine.
- In a small saucepan combine sugar, water, and chiles. Bring mixture to simmer over medium heat and then turn heat down to low. Let the chiles infuse the simple syrup for 10-15 minutes (longer if you prefer spicier!)
- Strain chile syrup by pouring mixture through a fine mesh strainer into the sangria pitcher.
- Stir mixture to combine and add sliced fruit, as desired.
- Chill before serving.
Welcome back to reality! Womp womp, I know. Reality calls for cocktails, especially one as pretty as this!! I LOVE me all the things spicy, but I have never had a spicy sangria!! I know- say whaaa? Clearly I need to fix this oversight pronto!! This looks absolutely perfect, girlfriend! Pinned! Cheers and happy birthday week! (<– I celebrate mine all week long too, so inner 5 year Olds unite!!) Xo
Thanks Cheyanne! I am definitely feeling it this week… do not want to be back to reality… lol.
Wow! That not only sounds fabulous but it’s so so pretty!!!
Thank you so much mimi!
Oh! I love your spicy twist on sangria 🙂 I must try this (I love Sangria in all forms!)
Thanks Jennifer- the spiciness is awesome, I hope you give this a try!! 🙂
Belated birthday blessings ? I love making flavoured sugar syrups but have never thought to do a chilli one. Great idea ?
Thanks so much Tandy!!
Love the added spice. 🙂
Thank you Sune!
Oh how exciting – happy birthday in advance 🙂 And I cannot wait to see pictures from your trip! Sangria…well I have a serious love of sangria – it’s my all time fave drink, so I cannot wait to try this version with a little heat! YUM!
Ahh thanks Phi! Sangria is absolutely one of my favorites- I order it all the time. The spiciness takes it over the top 🙂
Love the spicy twist here Sarah! Sangria has always been a favorite of mine and I’ve never tried spicing it up! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Mary Ann!
It’s hard to return to everyday routine but something tells me that you managed to overcome it with this delicious cocktail!
Heck yes 😉 Exactly!
Happy belated Birthday Sarah! Mondays are dull and need a little booze! Spicy and citrusy booze sounds just like the perfect solution for a case of the “Mondays” . Take Care, Bobbi
Haha I absolutely agree with everything here including the Office Space reference. 😉
Oh I looooove sangria! This one sounds fantastic. Happy almost birthday!!
Thanks so much Raquel!! It’s the *big* 29 (lol…)
Happy birthday lovely one. 🙂 hope your 29th year is filled with much fun, love and deliciousness. Loving your spicy sangria, many a good night had on the ol sangria.
Thanks for the birthday wishes!! You’re too kind 🙂
Ok, how is it possible I’ve never heard of this (or even thought of it) before? It just seems so right! Or maybe it’s your photos that make it seem so, lol!
Mollie