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Sangria of the Hudson Valley

Karen Croke

Special to Metromix
October 26, 2009

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(Credit: Stephen Schmitt)

Sangria is sweet, fun and a personal favorite of the Metromix staff. It doesn't cost a bundle, so you can drink it by the pitcherful. But beware, its playful appearance can be deceiving.

Sangria has been around for centuries; its pedigree traces back to Portugal and Spain, where large earthen pitchers of this wine "punch" could be concocted with leftover fruit, table wine and a liberal shot of alcohol—usually brandy.

We've put together a list of where to get a glass (or a pitcher) in the Hudson Valley.

Casa Del Sol

104 Main St. - Nyack

845-353-9846

Try the sprightly watermelon version served at Casa del Sol in Nyack. This light pink drink is chock-full of fruit, including watermelon balls, oranges and a slice of melon as a garnish. You could almost eat it with a fork. The restaurant also serves a terrific white sangria and traditional red. Served by the glass and by the pitcher.

Cafe of Love

38 E. Main St. - Mount Kisco

914-242-1002

They have a silky peach sangria that customers clamor for! Café of Love has a revolving menu of homemade blends, which changes nightly, so you might get raspberry, white pear, peach, raspberry or traditional red, but if you get the peach, you're in for a special treat. Available by the glass only.

Oporto

191 E. Hartsdale Ave. - Hartsdale

914-722-6565

Their white strawberry sangria has a cult following! "I think people love sangria because it's fun," says Rui Cunha, the owner of Oporto. "Even in the winter, when you taste it, you think of summer."

Espana Wine & Tapas Bar

147 Larchmont Ave. - Larchmont

914-833-1331

It's a toss-up between Espana's über traditional red - a customer favorite - or the bubbles-on-your-tongue champagne version, which looks so glamorous in the glass with its sliced green apple garnish. The restaurant also serves a light rosé and white sangria daily. Available by the glass or pitcher.

Union Restaurant and Bar Latino

24 New Main St. - Haverstraw

845-429-4354

Leave it to Paulo Feteira to add a twist to his sangria with a shot of tequila - along with brandy, triple sec and white wine. "If it's made right, it balances everything, and it's like drinking juice," he laughs. Sure it is. All the fruits he adds - oranges, apples and lemons - help. Feteira makes it by the gallon, but you can have it by the 16-ounce glass, half or full pitcher.

Peniche Tapas Restaurant

175 Main St. - White Plains

914-421-5012

The best place to sample a pitcher of Peniche's traditional red is at its new Peniche Lounge during happy hour. The sangria, full of juicy apples, oranges, grapes and pineapple, is the perfect pairing for the happy crowd snacking on tapas and shared plates. Available by the glass and by the pitcher.

Hacienda Tres Amigos

887 Route 6 - Mahopac

845-621-5913

The sangria at this fun Mexican spot in Mahopac is homemade and put together just before you order it: It comes in red or white, just wine and brandy and some orange juice. It's sold by the glass or by the pitcher.