Spring is here (although it may not seem so in many parts of the country) and it's an ideal time to whip up a pitcher of Sangria, that Spanish wine and fruit concoction. Not only is Sangria a crowd-pleaser, but it's a great way to make mediocre red wine taste its best.

Sangria
1 bottle dry red wine (I prefer to use a red Zinfandel)
1 Lemon, cut in wedges
1 Orange, cut in wedges
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 cup light rum
1 cup orange juice
1 liter bottle of club soda

Pour the wine into a pitcher. Squeeze the lemon and orange wedges into the wine, avoiding getting seeds in the mixture. Add the squeezed wedges to the wine. Add rum, sugar, and orange juice and mix well. Cover and chill at least four hours, but ideally overnight. Add ice cubes and club soda just before serving. (recipe may be doubled or tripled as necessary)