Best Sangria in Austin/Central Texas?

As Spring approaches and thoughts begin to turn to languorous evenings on the patio, my wife and I were pondering the following Really Important Questions:

[cue "Sangria Wine" from Jerry Jeff's Viva Terlingua album...]

1. Who has the best Sangria in Austin?

2. Who has the best combination of Sangria and a great outdoor place (atmosphere!) to augment the great company of friends and family?

3. What are the best Sangria recipes y'all know of?
(I'll post my favorite excellent Sangria recipe (from the famous Grapevine Restaurant in College Station) on my Blog and link to it here after I get it up and running later this weekend...)

4. Lastly, if the best isn't in Austin, what's the best available in a decent day trip, preferably via interestingly curvy back roads that would make for a beautiful afternoon in an old Italian GT car? Extra points if it's also (or near) a romantic place to spend the night.

O.K., have at it...

[SnookyJane]

Where's the sangria recipe from The Grapevine?

[schauerj]

I know this is an old post, but if you have the sangria recipe from the Grapevine, I must have it. I've heard there is a secret ingredient!

[ngana1303]

I had the white wine sangria at Lamberts a few days ago and it was excellent. Not too sweet! Perfect!

[SandraCan]

Fonda San Miguel does have good sangria. I have also been surprised by how much I like the sangria at Alamo Drafthouse.

[amysuehere]

Malaga on Second has a pretty good sangria - red or white, with lots of fruit (apples, oranges and grapes mostly). They have a patio (granted it's very urban...)

Bonus - Saturdays and Sundays it's $1 a goblet (picture the large goblet wine glasses)

[dc2austin]

Thanks gulch and amysuehere. As now we've decided to do a Spring Sangria Safari--tried La Condesa, also liked it. Not too sweet, good flavor and had a "slight" kick. Was at the Omni Hotel for a meeting and tried theirs in the bar...but not a fan. Too sweet, a little syrupy and really only wanted one. Will try Lamberts, Malaga and San Jose for sure...thanks for the rec's!

[amysuehere]

de nada. Enjoy and I may see you there...craving the shrimp bisque and and fruity red.

[gulch]

San Jose Hotel, they include a wooden stick and a bowl to pick out the abundant fruit and the outdoor setting can not be beat. I also enjoy the sangria at Lambert's. La Condesa has one too, but I have not yet sampled it.

[dc2austin]

I think Sangria is going to be our drink of summer, any updated places to try? During sxsw, we did stop by the new Eat & Drink (or is it Food & Drink?) on South Congress. Loved the Sangria, it wasn't too sweet. In fact, the server said some people like to add more sugar, but I thought it was great. It also had pom juice--which was nice.

[hungryfoodie]

vin bistro on kerbey lane has great sangria (at least last year before they changed their name--haven't had it since)

[highendhats]

Fonda San Miguel has excellent sangria and the atmosphere is amazing. They have both red and white sangria, which is typically served with frozen fruit to keep it cold. The best sangria I've ever had and the restaurant is one of the best hidden gems in Austin.

[diva360]

Fonda San Miguel does indeed have excellent sangria. I especially like the white sangria, but the red is also good. You could go for half price appetizers during happy hour.

[RichardJ]

I'm not a big sangria drinker but Hula Hut has a good sangria & sitting on the lake drinking it isn't all that bad, either.

rj

[tsierer]

Starting in May, the best White Wine Sangria drinks can be had on the patio of the San Jose Hotel on South Congress. The atmosphere happens to be fabulously relaxing too. Nice large wooden tables and running water in the background...

[The Chowhound Team]

Don_Ya submitted a recipe for sangria, which has been moved to the Wine board, here:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/401372

[ssouth]

I'm definitely not a sangria expert, but I really liked Fino's. Their patio is also a very nice place to hang out with friends.

Also, the Wednesday food section of the paper had an article a couple of weeks ago about sangria that included several different recipes.

[ashes]

Since the thread has been "revived" I'll throw in my two cents. I've had Sangria at two other places, Spider House and Alamo Drafthouse. At Alamo it is a little too sweet but not undrinkable. Plus, if alcohol is a grading factor, I was sufficiently intoxicated after sharing a pitcher with one other person. I usually opt for beer there but it was a nice option to have.

Spider House has great sangria IMO. Good amount of wine, nice fruit and a high alcohol content. Have shared a pitcher there several times. If you like the slightly crunchy (granola) slightly hipster atmosphere in the air, then I think it could be a perfect place for sangria sipping. Sit under the big oak tree, catch a flick when they show movies, or order some veg friendly food to go with the bevs.

[TroyTempest]

Z Tejas has Sangria. I'm not a Sangria drinker, so I can't vouch for it, but a couple people in our party seemed to like it.

I'd be interested in the Sangria recipe from Grapevine Restaurant.

Boy, you asked a question no one can answer.

I don't know where the best is. I love sangria, but the only place in town I remember drinking it is El Sol y La Luna. The sangria is ok, not great. It gets the job done and does it well. I'm not a fan of their food, so we usual are drinking it when we go to listen to music.

I love the sangria at Sol y Luna. It cured me after an awful tequila bender once. Anything that can save one after that is surely a gift.

How could it not cure you?
It contains red wine, fruit juice and fresh fruit.
We all probably oughta be drinking it for breakfast!
All the more reason to telecommute, no one can smell your breakfast on your breath.
Personally, I prefer a good homemade sangria (though I have never understood people putting club soda in it) but I must say that I quite enjoy ESyLL's.

So where else in town do people drink this stuff?