Sip on the taste of summer with Blackberry Sangria Carrabba’s Recipe.People know Carrabba’s Italian Grill for its delicious Italian food. It also has an extensive drink menu with cocktails, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks. One of the most popular drinks at Carrabba’s is the blackberry sangria. It’s a refreshing and fruity twist on the classic Spanish sangria.
The blackberry sangria at Carrabba’s combines red wine with blackberries, other fresh fruit juices, and sweet flavors. It makes for the perfect complement to Carrabba’s hearty Italian dishes. The bartender serves the sangria chilled in a large glass. They often garnish it with fresh blackberries or an orange slice. Its stunning deep red color comes from the red wine blended with freshly puréed blackberries.
The combination of fruit juices and wine gives this sangria a pleasant sweetness. The wine provides an undercurrent of dryness. It’s light and fruity while still retaining the characteristic wine flavor. It’s an ideal drink for sharing with friends and family before the meal or alongside your entrees.
The blackberry sangria has become a signature drink at Carrabba’s locations nationwide. Many patrons choose it because of its balanced flavors and beautiful presentation. Read on to learn the full recipe for this delicious sangria so you can recreate it at home.
Ingredients
– 1 (750-milliliter) bottle dry red wine such as Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon
– 1/2 cup brandy
– 1/3 cup orange liqueur such as Cointreau or triple sec
– 1/4 cup simple syrup
– 2 oranges, washed and sliced into rounds
– 1 lemon, washed and sliced into rounds
– 1 lime, washed and sliced into rounds
– 2 cups fresh blackberries
– Ice cubes
– Fresh mint sprigs for garnish
This refreshing blackberry sangria from Carrabba’s includes red wine, brandy, and orange liqueur. It also has simple syrup. It has fresh citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes. It also has fresh blackberries. It also has ice cubes. It also has mint for garnish. Adjust the amounts of each ingredient to your taste preferences. Also, adjust for sweetness and alcohol content.
Instructions
Making Carrabba’s blackberry sangria is easy and delicious! Here is the step-by-step process:
1. In a large pitcher, combine 1 bottle of dry red wine, 1 cup brandy, and 1/2 cup triple sec. Add 1/3 cup simple syrup and 2 cups blackberries. Stir to combine.
2. Add 4 cups chilled sprite or ginger ale. Stir gently to mix.
3. Add ice and garnish with orange slices and fresh blackberries if desired.
4. Let sangria sit for at least 2 hours in the refrigerator to allow flavors to blend. Overnight is even better.
5. When ready to serve, stir the sangria and pour into wine glasses or mason jars filled with ice.
6. Enjoy! For a lighter drink, add more sprite/ginger ale. For a boozier drink, add more wine or brandy. Adjust the proportions to taste.
Some tips:
– Use a robust, fruity red wine like Cabernet or Merlot as the base. Avoid oaky or dry wines.
– Simple syrup helps blend the flavors. Make it by combining equal parts sugar and water and heating until dissolved.
– Let the sangria sit as long as possible for largest flavor infusion.
– Add citrus slices or berries for a pretty garnish.
– Serve sangria chilled – it’s the perfect summer sipper!
Tips and Variations
You can tweak this delicious Blackberry Sangria to suit your individual tastes. Here are some tips for getting the best results when making this drink:
– Use fresh, ripe blackberries for largest flavor. Avoid using berries that are under ripe.
– Let the fruit marinate in the wine for at least 2 hours, and preferably overnight, before serving. This allows the flavors to infuse.
– Add a splash of brandy or cognac to add more depth.
– Use a robust red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot as the base. The bolder wine stands up better to the fruit.
Add extra blackberries or other berries. For example, raspberries or blueberries. This will pack in more fruit flavor.
– Adjust the proportions of fruit and wine to your preference. Add more wine for a boozier sangria or more fruit for a juicier, less alcoholic version.
– For a pretty presentation, reserve a few blackberry slices to float in the sangria as garnish.
– Serve the sangria chilled but not icy cold. Around 50°F is ideal.
Pair the sangria with spicy dishes, chocolate, or fresh fruit desserts. This will complement the flavors.
– Use a pitcher or punch bowl to serve larger crowds. Ladle into wine glasses filled with ice cubes.
Experiment with the ingredients and ratios until you find your perfect sangria recipe. The variations are endless for this fruity summertime cocktail!
Nutrition Facts
The Blackberry Sangria at Carrabba’s Italian Grill packs a tasty punch. It’s relatively light on calories compared to other restaurant cocktails.
A 12 oz glass of the sangria contains approximately:
– 140 calories
– 18 g carbohydrates
– 0 g fat
– 0 g protein
The majority of calories in the sangria come from natural sugars in the wine and fruit juices used. The blackberries add antioxidants like vitamin C and polyphenols. The wine provides some extra nutrients like potassium and phosphorus.
You should always enjoy alcoholic beverages in moderation. The Blackberry Sangria is a lighter cocktail choice. It has fewer calories than heavier, cream-based drinks. They can contain over 500 calories per serving. Pair your sangria with Carrabba’s Italian cuisine. This can help lessen the impact of the alcohol.
So feel free to sip and enjoy this fruity summertime cocktail guilt-free. But, be sure to practice responsible drinking if you plan to drive afterwards. The tasty blackberries and wine make it easy to get carried away with many servings.
History of Sangria
Sangria is a traditional Spanish wine punch made with red wine and fresh fruit juice. People in Roman times mixed wine with spices and honey to create sangria. In Spanish, ‘sangria’ means ‘bloodletting.’ People believed that drinking wine had health benefits.
Sangria grew especially popular in Spain during the 18th and 19th centuries. People mixed lower quality wines with fruit, spices, and brandy or liqueurs. They did this to make them more palatable. The addition of fruit made the wine sweeter and more refreshing. The light carbonation from sparkling water also enhanced the flavor.
By the 1960s, sangria gained worldwide popularity and recognition as Spain’s national drink. It became fashionable to serve sangria punch bowls at parties and social gatherings. Bars and restaurants in Spain also began to offer sangria to tourists and travelers.
Over the years, sangria evolved from a simple wine punch to creative interpretations. People use different wines, fruits, juices, liqueurs, and garnishes. Modern sangria recipes showcase the diversity of the classic Spanish cocktail. But the essence of sangria has remained unchanged. It’s a delicious, fruity wine drink meant for celebrating and socializing.
Carrabba’s Italian Grill
Carrabba’s Italian Grill is a casual dining restaurant chain in America. It specializes in Italian-American cuisine. Johnny Carrabba and Damian Mandola founded the company in 1986. They are two Italian-American restaurateurs from Houston, Texas.
Carrabba’s first location opened in Houston. It featured classic Southern Italian dishes like chicken parmesan, lasagna, and wood-fired pizza. The restaurant gained popularity for its family-style service. Its welcoming atmosphere is reminiscent of an Italian home.
Today, Carrabba’s has over 250 locations across the United States. Most are in suburban settings and near shopping malls. The menu features a variety of pastas, chicken, seafood, and specialty dishes. Signature offerings include the Chicken Bryan, Pollo Rosa Maria, and stuffed mushrooms appetizer. Carrabba’s is also known for fresh bread served with herb mix and olive oil for dipping.
Carrabba’s originated as an upscale Italian restaurant. However, in recent years, it changed to a more casual, affordable family dining concept. Most locations have lively, informal dining rooms and bar areas. Bloomin’ Brands owns Carrabba’s. It also operates Outback Steakhouse and other national restaurant chains.
In summary, Carrabba’s Italian Grill provides classic Italian-American comfort food. It’s in a lively, affordable setting. The menu aims to bring diners an authentic taste of Italy. It does so in a family-friendly, casual environment.
Other Carrabba’s Drink Recipes
People know Carrabba’s Italian Grill for its delicious Italian food. They also serve up tasty cocktails and drinks to complement your meal. Here are some other popular drink recipes from the Carrabba’s menu:
### Tuscan Lemonade
Limoncello liqueur makes this lemonade refreshing. It has a delicious sweet and tart kick. It’s garnished with fresh lemons and mint.
Sangrias
Carrabba’s serves a few other fruity sangria options. Besides to the Blackberry Sangria. There’s a Red Sangria with red wine and berries. There’s also a White Sangria with white wine and tropical fruits, such as pineapple and mango.
Carrabba’s Mimosa
Start your meal with a little sparkle thanks to this mimosa made with prosecco and orange juice. It’s served in a champagne flute for a special touch.
Italian Margarita
Put an Italian twist on a classic margarita. This version features amaretto liqueur and a sugar rim. It’s shaken with tequila and citrus.
Spiked Iced Tea
For a bit of booze with your iced tea, go for the Limoncello Iced Tea or Peach Bellini Iced Tea. Both mix with vodka and capture fruity flavors.
Espresso Martini
Coffee lovers will enjoy the intense espresso flavor in this creamy after-dinner cocktail. It contains vodka, Kahlua, and Frangelico.
Next time you’re dining at Carrabba’s, explore their menu. Find the perfect drink to complement your meal. You might enjoy a refreshing sangria or martini.
Conclusion
Carrabba’s blackberry sangria is the perfect refreshing cocktail. It livens up any Italian meal. The sweet and tart blackberry flavor pairs beautifully with the red wine and brandy base. Traditional sangria recipes call for cut fruit. The blackberry puree used here makes for a richer, more intense fruit flavor. It won’t get watered down. The touch of lemon and lime add brightness, and the club soda gives it some fizz.
This sangria is easy and elegant. You can make it for casual family dinners or dinner parties. Keeping a pitcher in the fridge allows the flavors to develop even further over time. Customize it to your taste by adding more or fewer blackberries. Increase the brandy or substitute different fruit purees. Serve chilled, garnished with fresh blackberries and mint. Sip with classic Carrabba’s dishes. They include chicken parmesan, lasagna, and their signature wood-fired pizzas. With this recipe, you can bring the taste of an Italian getaway home. Salute!
