Sangria or Agua de Valencia? Which one is better?
Valencia is the fashion city of Spain for many reasons:
Its wonderful beaches, the warm climate, the friendly people, an extensive range of leisure and culture... but also for its food.
Paella is famous all over the world, but the food here in Valencia It goes much further.
Today we will talk about two very typical drinks: sangria and Valencia water.
The first is typical throughout Spain, but the second, as its name says, is traditional in our region.
These refreshing drinks are not only delicious, but they also have your own story that date back to past generations.
In this article, we will delve into the origins, ingredients, and why people love these iconic drinks.
You will also learn step by step how to prepare a sangria y how to Valencia water For 4 people with the exact ingredients and quantities.
At our school we offer workshops so you can learn how to make both drinks.
Do you need to learn Spanish for your studies, work or because you are passionate about the language?
Hispania, escuela de español It is the ideal place for this purpose. We offer face-to-face Spanish courses y online Spanish courses For all levels.
It doesn't matter if you have an advanced level or if you still don't know a word of Spanish. With us you will find classes appropriate to your level and you will learn at your own pace.
You can attend class as many days as you want and as many hours as are appropriate for you.
In our school you will have the maximum flexibility you need.
With that said, let's get back to the sangria and Valencia water!
Do you want to learn how to make delicious sangria and Valencia water? After reading this article you will!
History of Valencia Water
El Valencia water is a cocktail who has become one of the most emblematic representatives of the Valencia city.
Its history dates back to 1959, when it was created by Constant Gil in the Madrid Brewery of Valencia.
Creation by Constante Gil in 1959
Constante Gil, an innovative and visionary bartender, experimented with the combination of citrus and alcoholic flavors to give rise to the drink Agua de Valencia.
It was at the Café Madrid where Valencia Water was born.
Gil created this refreshing drink that combines Valencian orange juice, cava, gin, vodka, sugar and ice in a balanced way.
As you can see, the name is a trick: it doesn't just have water 😁.
History of bleeding
¿What is sangria?
La sangria is a original spanish recipe.
This drink captivates everyone who drinks it due to its refreshing flavor and attractive color.
Before I teach you how to prepare sangria, let's see a little of its history.
Its exact origin is uncertain, although it is known that the mixture of wine with other liquids has been practiced for centuries.
Wine mixing in Ancient Rome and the Middle Ages
El origin of the indentation It goes back many centuries.
And in the Ancient Rome It was customary to mix wine with water and spices to make refreshing drinks.
Likewise, during the Middle Ages Variants such as grog emerged, where wine was mixed with other ingredients to obtain different flavours.
Speculations about the origin of the name "sangría"
The name «Bleeding» has been the subject of speculation. Some relate the term to the word «blood», referring to the intense red color of the drink.
Others associate its name with the expression «sang-gray», which could refer to the fruit maceration in the wine.
Valencia Water Ingredients
¿What does Valencia Water contain??
This traditional drink from Valencia is a delicious flavor combination which is achieved thanks to the careful selection of ingredients.
Each of them contributes its distinctive character to this popular drink.
Here we present the Valencia Water recipe.
If you want to learn how to prepare an Agua de Valencia that will leave your friends delighted, don't leave the screen!
Cava
The basis of Original Valencia water is the digging, a sparkling and elegant wine.
Its bubbly effervescence and bitter flavor serve as an elegant counterpoint to the sweetness of the Natural orange juice.
You can choose to use dry cava for a drier flavor, or semi-dry cava if you want a slightly sweeter touch.
Valencian orange juice
El Agua de Valencia is a drink which stands out for its citrus freshness. It is made with natural orange juice freshly squeezed.
Valencia oranges They are famous throughout Spain and essential for the preparation of this drink.
These oranges, famous for their sweet and juicy flavor, are a fundamental element of this drink.
Gin and vodka
El cocktail Valencia water contains alcohol, a lot of alcohol.
We have already talked about cava, but this is not the only one. Combining gin and vodka adds a stronger and more sophisticated character to the Agua de Valencia cocktail.
sugar and ice
As you can see, prepare Valencia Water It's something simple.
The most complex thing is to achieve a good balance between alcohol and sweet.
The touch of sweetness necessary to enhance the flavors of the Valencia water is achieved with the addition of sugar.
The amount of sugar will depend on each person's personal tastes. If you like sweet drinks, don't be afraid to add them.
The other great ingredient that cannot be missing is ice. This drink will taste better if served cold.
In addition to the ice, it should be left to rest in the refrigerator so that all the ingredients can cool.
To ensure a homogeneous mixture, it is recommended remove the Water of Valencia on a spoon before serving it.
Now you know how to make Agua de Valencia.
How is it served?
The best water in Valencia It gets in jars or on an cups of champagne
Valencia Water Recipe for 4 people
Now is the time to apply the ingredients of Valencia Water and make a royal recipe for 4 people.
Imagine that you are going to receive 3 friends at your house and you want to delight them with a magnificent Agua de Valencia.
We are going to explain everything you have to do step by step and the necessary quantities you need of each ingredient.
The ingredients would be these:
- Cava: 250 ml.
- Orange juice: 250 ml.
- Gin: 125 ml.
- Vodka: 125 ml.
- Sugar 35 ml.
- Ice.
- An orange.
Steps to follow
In a jar, we combine all the ingredients.
We start with vodka and gin, to which we add sugar and mix until the sugar is completely dissolved in the liqueurs.
Then, we add the previously strained natural orange juice and the ice cubes.
Next, we add the cava, slightly tilting the jug and bottle to minimize gas loss. We ensure that the cava is well refrigerated in advance.
Finally, we add orange slices and pieces of peel to the jar, stir gently and put it in the refrigerator for a few hours until serving time so that it is as cool as possible.
Sangria ingredients
Let's go now with the Spanish sangria recipe!
This delicious Spanish drink associated with summer and street parties, is characterized by its refreshing flavor and striking red color.
Want to know how to make homemade sangria delicious? Keep reading!
Red wine and water as a base
Traditional bleeding is performed using Red wine as base. This wine adds body and a rich flavor to the drink.
It is recommended to choose a good quality wine for best results.
In addition to wine, added agua to soften the flavor and achieve a suitable consistency.
There's others types of indentation what do they add other alcoholic beverages such as brandy, cognac or Cava sangria.
Today we will focus on the red wine sangria, which is the main one.
Citrus juices, sugar and fruits
Besides wine,what's in the sangria?
The sangria ingredients of wine that provide freshness and juiciness are the fruits and the combination with orange or lemon juice.
Furthermore, it is added sugar to balance the flavors and sweeten the drink according to personal taste.
One of the distinctive characteristics of the spanish sangria is the presence of cut fruits inside.
¿What is a sangria without fruit slices? It certainly isn't a sangria.
The fruits in sangria The most used are oranges, lemons, apples, peaches and red fruits, although other seasonal fruits can be added according to each person's preference.
These fruits add aroma, color and a unique texture to the mixture. In addition, you can put some pieces directly in the glasses or in the Sangaree jar of the person.
It looks super cool!
Sangria recipe for 4 people
Just as we have done before, now we are going to give you a practical recipe for sangria for 4 people.
The ingredients you will need are:
- Red wine: 750 ml.
- Orange juice: 200 ml.
- An orange.
- A lemon.
- An Apple.
- A peach.
- Water: 60 ml.
- Sugar: 60g.
- Brandy: a shot.
Steps to follow
First, we squeeze the orange juice and wash the fruits well, which we will cut into regular pieces.
Second, we prepare a syrup by heating equal parts of water and sugar until the sugar is completely dissolved. This syrup will be added to the sangria later.
In a large jug, place the fruit pieces, orange juice, red wine, brandy and syrup.
We mix everything and cover the jar with transparent film, refrigerating it in the refrigerator for at least least 4 hours.
Then, we add between 10 to 15 ice cubes and stir before serving.
When serving, add more ice cubes to the glass, add fruit from the jug and fill with sangria 👌🏻.
Recommendations for quality sangria
¿How to make a wine sangria quality?
for the correct wine sangria recipe, it is important to take into account some recommendations:
- Use good quality red wine to ensure a balanced and aromatic flavor in the sangria.
- Do not exceed the amount of sugar, as it could result in a sangria that is too sweet.
- Cut the fruits into suitable pieces, large enough to stand out in the drink but small enough to be consumed easily.
- Note that sangria benefits from cold rest, allowing the flavors to mix and intensify. Prepare the sangria in advance and let it rest in the refrigerator before serving.
If you strictly follow these tips, you will create a delicious sangria.
Guaranteed!
Why do people like Agua de Valencia and sangria so much?
We have already seen the history and ingredients of these drinks that are so popular in Spain and Valencia.
Why do people like it so much? There are many reasons.
The first is probably the tasty What are they.
In contrast to other alcoholic beverages that are bitter or very strong, Valencia water and sangria have a sweet touch thanks to fruits and sugar.
This combination of fruits, alcohol and sugar delights people and creates an ideal flavor for gatherings with friends, parties or family meals. Both drinks are ideal for socializing.
Additionally, both drinks are served very cold, which is why they are especially appealing in hot days.
Sangria or Agua de Valencia? Which one is better?
We come to the million-dollar question that heads the title of this article.
Sangria or Agua de Valencia,which is better?
The answer is simple: it will depend on your palate and the experience you are looking for.
La drink Bleeding she is very famous in all Spain.
Many people like it because it is very sweetHas less alcohol and offers versatility in its preparation, since you can customize it to your liking by adding the fruits you want.
El red intense wine and fruit also attracts a lot of attention. It is a drink that goes very well through the eyes.
On the other hand, if you prefer a more drink loaded with alcoholon the Valencia water there is completely captivating.
Thanks to the addition of oranges and sugar, a very good balance strong but sweet drink at the same time.
Also, if you are in Valencia, Agua de Valencia is a traditional drink from this city.
So if you want to know the food here in Valencia, the water of Valencia cannot be missed.
Are you looking for a place where to drink Agua de Valencia or quality sangria?
In Valencia there are many. In fact, our school is one of them.
En Hispania, escuela de españolIn addition to learning Spanish, you can also enjoy many interesting activities.
In the Valencian gastronomy activitieson the sangria workshop included in the song and it's Valencia Water workshop all our students love them.
In these workshops you will be able to make these drinks together with other students and you will compete with other groups to see which one is the best of all.
Who will be the winner? The fun is guaranteed!
What do you think? Are you more into sangria or Agua de Valencia? Leave us a comment and give us your reasons.
¡Hasta pronto!
Article written by Carlos Martínez for Hispania, escuela de español.
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