Sangria Recipe

In conjunction with the posts on traditional Mexican food and drink, I wanted to include a tasty sangria recipe -- nothing says "I do" like a customized drink, and this purple palliative ought to do just the trick!

1/2 cup brandy
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup frozen lemonade concentrate
1/3 cup orange juice
1 (750 ml) bottle dry red wine
1/2 cup Grand Marnier
1 lemon, sliced into rounds
1 orange, sliced into rounds
1 lime, sliced into rounds
1/4 cup white sugar (optional)
8 maraschino cherries
2 cups carbonated water (optional)

In a large pitcher or bowl, mix together the brandy, lemon juice, lemonade concentrate, orange juice, red wine, Grand Mariner, and sugar. Float slices of lemon, orange, and lime and maraschino cherries in the mixture. Refrigerate overnight for best flavor. For a fizzy sangria, add club soda just before serving.