Red Wine

Málaga Tapas & Bar gets its name from a city on Spain's southern coast — and from the authentic savory appetizers and snacks it serves with wine and other drinks, in the Andalusian tapas tradition. Málaga, located in Austin's trendy Warehouse District, is a favorite among the after-work and late-night crowds. This recipe for sangria comes from the restaurant's bar manager and resident wine expert, Merrill Frank.

The French often serve flavored wine as an aperitif. This one has a base of red wine infused with orange, lemon, vanilla and cloves; it is later mixed with raspberry brandy and sugar. The drink is best at cool room temperature, accompanied by nibbles such as olives, almonds and crudités. It also makes an excellent Christmas present  — just double or triple the recipe, and pour the drink into pretty bottles. Be sure to begin the "winemaking" process at least three weeks before you plan to have the wine or give it as a gift.

Fruit-filled pitchers of sangría appeared at lots of parties in the '60s, and we ran many recipes for it. Macerating the fruit in a sugar syrup first makes this one particularly flavorful.

There are a number of variations of this traditional Scandinavian Yuletide drink. Dry red wine, muscatel and sweet vermouth, with aquavit in place of the brandy, may be used. In another version, 2 bottles of dry red wine, preferably Bordeaux, are used with the quantity of aquavit increased to a whole bottle, which is poured over the flaming sugar.

This German drink, called Grossmutters Punsch (Grandmother's Punch), is usually enjoyed warm at midnight on Christmas Eve. It can also be served as a refreshing chilled drink. For a festive touch, add a cinnamon stick to each glass.