So here it is. My last exam period of my undergraduate college career. I finished classes last Wednesday and now I am trying to maintain my ability to do work. My final class of college was Arabic, which just happens to be one of my favorite classes. I’m glad that I got to finish with a likable class instead of one that I abhor. It gives a nice end to four years of hard work.
We always celebrate our last day of classes (LDOC) with a huge bang. There are concerts, free food, sundresses and a day long marathon of drinking. As our dean of students sent out in an e-mail last week, “Students must have their own alcohol with them at all times.” However, we were told that we were not allowed to have baby pools full of alcohol. Bummer. I would have never thought of that, but now I’m dying to see how much booze it takes to fill a baby pool.
Anyway, in honor of my final LDOC I made a pitcher of homemade sangria. I mixed up the sangria Monday night and let it mingle in the fridge until Wednesday after my one and only class of the day. This sangria recipe certainly isn’t the most classic of recipes, but it’s got a great balance of being not too sweet and not too dry. Without further ado, LDOC Sangria:
LDOC Sangria
(Serves 8-10… at least)
1 bottle (750mL) cheap red wine (I used $6 Cabernet-Sauvignon)
8 oz. Rum (Captain Morgan Private Stock is best!)
Juice of one lime
1 can pineapple in its own juices (do not drain!)
1 green apple, chopped into bite-sized chunks
6 strawberries, quartered
4 whole cloves
2 whole cardamom pods
1 20 oz. bottle Sprite
Mix everything except the Sprite into a pitcher and let set at least 8-48 hours. Add Sprite to pitcher right before serving.
*Be aware that although the fruit is tasty, it absorbs a LOT of alcohol.
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While on the topic of sangria, my friend and I developed a recipe for party sangria. This recipe is a great for serving lots of people and the best part is that you can control how much alcohol goes into it.
Party Sangria
(Serves 30+ people)
1 5L box red wine (Franzia)
1 750mL bottle spiced rum
1 can pineapple in its own juices (do not drain!)
2 green apples, chopped
6 strawberries, quartered
1 orange, sliced in circles
1 lemon, sliced in circles
1 lime, sliced in circles
6 cinnamon sticks
6 whole cloves
2-3 2L bottles of Sprite
Mix everything except the Sprite into a 5 gallon drink cooler. Let chill in a refrigerator overnight. (You will probably have to remove some racks in the fridge.) Add the Sprite right before serving.
***Be aware that all sangria can be deceptively strong. I have had many guests tell me that they cannot taste the alcohol in the sangria, but let me assure you that there is more than enough alcohol in it! You should keep an eye on how fast you and your guests are drinking. Many times, people may not realize how much they have consumed.