Ingredients
The drink
- 1 bottleChilean red wine, about 750 ml
- 500 gripe strawberries
- 100 gsugar, or to taste
Sometimes added
- a splash of orange juice
- a strip of orange peel
- a small glass of pisco
- ice
To serve
- a large jug
- tumblers
- a spoon, for the fruit
Directions
- Use a soft fruity Chilean red wine. It should be soft rather than heavily tannic. Rinse the strawberries briefly in cold water. Do not soak them, which makes them watery.
- Cut them into quarters or thick slices. Put the cut strawberries in a large jug. Sprinkle the sugar evenly over the fruit. Stir them gently so they are all coated.
- Cover the jug and leave it for an hour. A syrupy pool should collect at the bottom. Pour the whole bottle of wine over the fruit. Stir it gently to combine everything.
- Add the orange juice or peel if you want them. Add a splash of pisco for a stronger drink. Cover the jug and refrigerate it. Give it at least two hours in the cold. Warm borgona is thoroughly unpleasant.
- Taste it once it is properly cold. Cold dulls sweetness noticeably. Add more sugar if it seems sharp.
- Add more wine if it seems cloying. Serving it is done cold in tumblers. Stir the jug well before you pour. Make sure each glass gets some fruit.
- Add ice to the glass in hot weather. It keeps for a day in the refrigerator.
Technique
- Chilean independence is celebrated in September, and fondas are the temporary halls put up for the festivities.
- Borgona, chicha and terremoto are the three drinks most associated with those celebrations.
Substitutions
- Any fruity soft red wine works, and a Chilean one is only traditional rather than necessary.
- Frozen strawberries can be used out of season and macerate quickly as they thaw.
Variations
- Some households add a splash of pisco to strengthen it.
- A white wine version with peaches is made in some places.
- Terremoto, made with pipeno and pineapple ice cream, is the other great fonda drink.
History
Poured at fondas during the September independence holidays, alongside chicha and terremoto.
Frequently asked questions
What is Borgoña?
Borgoña is a cocktail from Chile: red wine with chopped strawberries and sugar, served cold. Poured at fondas during the September independence holidays, alongside chicha and terremoto.
How long does Borgoña take to make?
Borgoña takes 15 minutes plus macerating of preparation and none of cooking. The recipe makes serves 6. It is rated easy to make.
What can I substitute in Borgoña?
Yes, within limits. Any fruity soft red wine works, and a Chilean one is only traditional rather than necessary. Frozen strawberries can be used out of season and macerate quickly as they thaw.
What is the most important thing to get right in Borgoña?
Use a soft fruity Chilean red wine. It should be soft rather than heavily tannic. Rinse the strawberries briefly in cold water. Do not soak them, which makes them watery.
