Field Guide

FOOD

Sangria

By Tim McGinnis

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted May. 14, 2008

Pitcher perfect: A good sangria hangs in harmonious

Mexico's margarita has had more than its share of the sun north the border, and Cuba's mojito has been the people's default summertime drink for long enough. Time for something neuvo, or nuevo to you. Since first being served in the United States at the 1964 World's Fair in New York, there have been as many versions of sangria mixed up in this crazy world as there are reasons to indulge. Move over margaritas and mojitos--behold the punch that packs one. �Ya basta!

If You Like to Beat a Dead Horse
Giving chef Jose Garces and his restaurant Tinto (114 S. 20th St. 215.665.9150) mad props is a little like impregnating a Spears sister ... It's easy, it feels good, but it's been done before. That said, Tinto's sangria laced with applejack and guindilla peppers is worth being unoriginal. It's superb. Stagehands? Deliver these props accordingly. T A G MM

If You Like to Go Stargazing
OMFG, we went to Alma de Cuba (1623 Walnut St. 215.988.1799) and totally bumped into none other than the impossibly handsome Ashton Kutcher, cougar queen Demi Moore, the Sixers' own Andre Iguodala--and Parker Posey shesintownforsomemovieyouknow. Or perhaps we just passed out on our National Enquirer after finishing a few of Alma's Blanco Sangria de Cuba with liquor-spiked peach slices. T A F G MM

If You Don't Mind Sharing
The Colombian-inspired Mixto (1141 Pine St. 215.592.0363) has giant pitchers of brandy-spiked sangria for $24. They're big enough for you and all your friends to start the night off right, or end it with soaring blood sugar levels and pink teeth. Could be worse. T A F MM

Key

T: Tastes traditional
A: High in alcohol
F: Fruity in a good way
G: Great food
MM: Mojitos and margaritas too

If You Want to Get Borracho Early
During the 5-to-7 happy hour at the Mexican Post (1601 Cherry St. 215.568.2667) you can knock back red and white sangrias with a $2 discount. They're the cheapest drinks since our abuelita left the liquor cabinet unlocked. T A F MM

If You Want to Run Into an Ex or Find a New One
South Philly den Cantina Los Caballitos (1651 E. Passyunk Ave. 215.755.3550) offers glasses ($5.50) and pitchers ($24) of a high-octane red or white sangria that's so drunktabulously delicious, it'll knock your low-top Chuck Taylors off. Cloves, allspice and star anise make a snappier, spicier mix than most. A F G MM

If You're Part of an Uprising
Xochitl (408 S. Second St. 215.238.7280) is named for an 11th-century woman who invented an alcoholic beverage that was so potent it led to the bloody downfall of an entire monarchy. The sangria here is quite delicious without all that nasty regicide. Selling by the glass ($8) or pitcher ($28), they swap tequila in for the traditional brandy for a Mexican bite. Okay, you should have a margarita here too. A F G MM