One Drink, Five Ways: Sangria

Dos Rios

316 Court Ave., 282-2995

At a joint that boasts “Sangria Saturday,” featuring different flavored sangria every week, Dos Rios is the go-to place for Des Moinesians who need some wine with a twist. The Mexican-inspired restaurant has both Rojo (red) and Blanco (white) sangria, and Saturday’s flavors range from mixtures brewed up with blueberry wine to the one we asked to sample, Strawberry Starburst.

Bar manager Don Cook uses pinot noir for red or pinot grigio for white and adds oranges, lemons, cherries, strawberry and watermelon schnapps, raspberry flavored rum, and lemonade. Cook is meticulous about letting the combo sit for at least four days so the flavors fuse and essences of fruit and juice seep into every gulp.

The Price: $8 a glass, $24 for a basic beer pitcher served with a wooden spoon that pours about 4 to 5 pint-sized glasses. Hit Dos on Sangria Saturday and you’ll pay $5 for a pint glass, but pitchers are still $24.

The Verdict: 4 out of 5 stars. Cook gets his fruit from local spots — the freshness of the flavors gives that away. But this drink is for those with a sweet tooth: Both the red and white are like candy in a glass, and we’d prefer to get a hint of the alcohol we’re guzzling. And beware: each glass has a higher percentage than your average glass of wine.