A night out, Spanish style

As you've probably already heard, nightlife is a big part of the Spanish culture. The Spaniards are practically nocturnal. They love to go out, and they stay out practically all night. They don't even leave the house until eleven or midnight, and that's just to start the pre-gaming. They call it salir de marchas, and it's normal for jovenes (young people in their late teens and twenties) to go to a bar or club two or three times a week at least.

Sangria is a wine punch thats popular in Spain, Portugal, and Latin America. The basic ingredients are red wine, slices of fruit such as lemons or oranges, a sweetener, and spirits such as brandy or triple sec. A carbonated beverage is sometimes added, although it isn't necessary. The specific ingredients and their ratios vary widely, so there really isn't much uniformity in the recipes. That can be troublesome if you drink a lot of it, since you're never quite sure what the alcohol content is....

Another drink that's popular in the summertime is tinto de verano, which is essentially wine with some kind of carbonated beverage. It's really refreshing in the heat. You can also enjoy a mojito or agua de sevilla (a sweet cocktail). Or if you're not feeling adventurous, just go for a Cruzcampo, a light beer that's made right here in Sevilla.

The spirit of Spain is to relax and enjoy life. Whether you're sitting in a cafe drinking coffee, in a bar with tapas and beer, or out on the town with a mojito, the idea is to have fun with friends and to take advantage of the present.