Sol Y Sambra Tapas Bar and Restaurant – 462 Amsterdam NYC
Translation? It’s getting hot in here!!! Ma needs a drink!
Last weekend I hopped the train inbound to NYC to meet up with my best girl, Stacey and hit the streets for some cool street fairs, an awesome tapas lunch, and some drinks before we took in a matinee of Sex and The City 2. I know, I know we should have been drinking cosmos but the mercury was rising and I was looking for some sweet summertime refreshment, enter the beloved Sangria! Who could resist a pitcher of wine sweetened with brandy and fruit??? Uh, I’ll take two.
Now my absolute fave Spanish restaurant in the NYC is a place down in the village called Sevilla, on the corner of Charles and 4th. But we were way uptown and had to catch a movie so we decided to hoof it to Calle Ocho which was much closer to Stacey’s apartment and we had heard, all the rage. 
We walked into Calle Ocho and it was like I had just entered a restaurant version of Studio 54. Super trendy and way too crowded. Nixed that idea and went outside and thought, hmmm, I’m in New York, I could throw a rock and hit about a thousand great eateries, let’s roll the dice…we ended up at Sol Y Sambra Tapas Bar and Restaurant, 462 Amsterdam if you’re in the area. Awesome! I loved it. The staff was super sweet and totally accommodating of our lame requests to be sort of outside on the patio yet still inside near the a/c. I’m totally high maintenance even without the kids in tow. The food was well presented and oh so tasty. I highly suggest you stop by.
Secondary to our sangria, we had some great tapas! An amazing manchego cheese plate, an incredible baccala (salt cod) croquettes, a beautiful white asparagus salad, a delicious chorizo, and of course gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp). Uh, yes, we needed a wheelbarrow to get out the door afterwards but it was sooo worth it. And we were walking all the way back home again which was 25 blocks or so. 
I don’t know what they put in their sangria at Sol Y Sambra but it was delish. I thought I’d give you the recipe for mine, also deserving of 5 stars if I do say so myself!
Ingredients:
- 1 Bottle of red wine (I suggest a Rioja but you could also use Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, or Shiraz)
- 1 Lemon sliced
- 1 Orange sliced
- 1 Lime sliced
- 1 Apple slice
- 1 pear sliced
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup brandy
- 2 T triple sec
- 2 Cups ginger ale or club soda
Combine in a pitcher with ice or frozen grapes and berries, stir, pour and enjoy! Did you know I used to be a bartender? Well, I was. It’s actually how I met the hubs. Yup, I was slinging drinks in Beantown and he walked in one night. That’s a story for a different day. 
So I used used to tend bar so lemme give you some variations on this one. Don’t drink? You could make this up with some grape juice or cran-grape cocktail instead of the wine? Just leave out the brandy and triple sec. What is your favorite summertime drink? Whatever it is, get out with your girls and enjoy! Ole!
Ok, personal bloggie side note…Can I get a woot-woot??? That’s right baby 200 followers. I’m so excited. Big shout outs to The Caffeinated Globe my very very special and near and dear to my heart 200th follower. Who will be 300??? Hurry up, tell your friends!
Linking this up for my girl Holly’s Tickled Pink at 504 Main.
Related posts:
I’m just jealous of your girls day out! What fun! How was the movie? Congrats on hitting 200 followers, it’s a big achievement!
How fun!!! Love me some sweet drinks! Thanks for visiting Peaceful Divas!
Thanks for stoppin’ by for a Latte’. I’m happy to be your newest follower. The Sangria looks great on a Monday morning like this.
Oh Hey! That’s a great recipe.
Sangria=YUMMY!!! Too bad it is only 9:30 am here! So the real question…how was the movie? I feel like I’m the last person on Earth to see it!
How fun! And I could totally go for some sangria right now!
What a fun day. I had some Sangria this weekend. It had been too long since I had my favorite drink. Glad you had some girl time.
Oh yea, Sangria! One of my favorite summer time drinks. Brings back memories of Austin and Morgan’s Point Resort in Texas.
Fun post. Sangria and food look yummy. Recipe sounds practical and inviting.
We were thrilled to be mentioned in the post. (It’s great to be Follower No. 200th, we believe.) Please click “Mentions” on our blog’s linkbar, you will see your blog name and the post title (with URL link).
Thanks so much for your mentioning our blog.
January Asia & Steven Hui
Great minds think alike!! We both knew people needed a yummy summer cocktail for the week!
I love Sangria!
Looks like a good time! I was just thinking about sangria the other day. So glad you posted a recipe for me to steal.
And congrats on the followers!
Looks like a lot of fun!!
I’ve heard sangria is awesome!
I love sangria. I would have skipped the movie and had another pitcher: )
That drink sounds good… and I’m not even a drinker! I will have to try that the next time I have people over.
Looking forward to what you post next!
All the best,
Kim
Oh yeah, the movie!!!???!!! It was funny. I liked it, it made you think a bit, and laugh. It was a bit over the top in places, but that’s SATC for you. All in all, not a disappointment, and as far as I’m concerned with movies these days, that’s about all you can hope for…
What a delish trip! I love every single part of it…especially the sangria!
How the hell did you get so many followers? I’m so jealous!!! Haha…
Yeah, give me that Sangria too!!!
xoxo
Yum, I am going to make some of that the next time we go to the lake. My MIL and SIL would be all over it…along with me!
Thanks girl! Congrats on your 200+ now…you work it girl!
you lucky dog….new york! what a fun girl trip! i need one of those myself!
What a fun day! I haven’t been out with a girlfriend in forever. The sangria looks awesome!
I loved the movie too but I wish I’d seen in New York drinking sangrias with you! What an amazing time you had. I am very envious!
Best wishes,
Natasha.
Sounds like a fun time in the big city! I cannot even tell ya how much I love Sangria….one of my favorite beverages EVER! Thanks for linking your recipe!
I also live a train ride from Manhattan. I love having that easy access to the city when the spirit calls. So many great things to do and super places to eat. I’ll have to try and remember this one. It sounds wonderful.
Kat