Spanish Wine Cocktail with Fresh Fruit

It’s one of the great freeing realizations of a woman’s life: the understanding that pricier wines aren’t always better wines. And it’s true! You can get a great bottle of wine for under $15. We like sauvignon blanc from New Zealand, rioja from Spain, or syrah from California. Best of all, when your budget is especially tight, you can make delicious sangría out of cheap wine, and no one—but no one—will complain.

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS:

• One 750-ml bottle dry white wine, such as sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio
• ½ to 1 cup brandy, to taste
• ¼ cup sugar
• 2 limes, sliced into thin rounds
• 2 lemons, sliced into thin rounds
• 1 orange, sliced into thin rounds
• 1 green apple, sliced
• 1 small bunch white grapes, removed from their stems, sliced in half
• 1 cup seltzer
• Ice cubes

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a large glass pitcher, combine the wine, brandy, and sugar, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
2. Add the fruit and seltzer to the pitcher.
3. Let the sangría marinate in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours before serving.
4. Add ice to the pitcher, stir, and serve.