And now for some good news: the Spanish town of Castrillo Matajudios—which literally translates to ‘Camp Kill Jews’—voted on Sunday to revert to its original name, Mota de Judios, or ‘Hill of the Jews,’ The Times of Israel reports.

It’s a change almost 400 years in the making. Mayor Lorenzo Rodriguez says the town was established in 1035 as a “safe haven” for a persecuted Jewish community, which settled on a hill in the area—thus the original name, Mota de Judios.

But in 1623—over one hundred years after the expulsion and forced conversion of Spain’s Jews in the Inquisition—the town changed its named to Castrillo Matajudios, most likely to further distance itself from its Jewish origins. “It makes no sense because we are descended from a Jewish community,” explained Rodriguez. “We have a star of David on our coat of arms.”

Not only is the name nonsensical, it’s also a beloved drinking game. According to JTA, the phrase matar Judios (“killing Jews”) describes “the traditional drinking of lemonade spiked with alcohol at festivals held in city squares at Easter, or drinking in general… The name originates from medieval times, when converted Jews would sometimes be publicly executed in show trials at around Easter.”

Residents voted 29-19 in favor of the change, which will be reviewed by town hall next week and, if approved, implemented over the next 6-12 months. We can only assume the nays were holding out on logistical grounds, because surely it must be a bummer to live in a town that manages to encapsulate murder, anti-Semitism, binge-drinking, and the Inquisition it its very name, no?

Image: Wikimedia Commons

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With the approach of summer comes thoughts of Saturday afternoons spent in the park al fresco drinking.  Nothing says the day of rest like getting sun and a slight buzz.  There are several beverages one could consume outdoors that would suffice, crisp pilsner, light wheat beer with a slice of orange, or Rose (which we have written about), but I think there’s nothing better to consume outdoors than Sangria.

Sangria, which means bleeding, originates from Spain, where it can be found all over the country, but first became popular here in the US after the 1964 Worlds Fair when it was introduced at the Spanish Pavilion.

Sangria is a drink many have come to associate with cheap red wine, and horrible hangovers.  But that’s not the way Sangria should be.  To all those bar and restaurant owners using old or bad red and white wine in Sangria as a way to still move product and take in revenue, sham on you! You are ruining what Sangria is supposed to be! 

A good Sangria should be made with a good quality red wine, that has assertive flavors.  Red wines typical of these characteristics would be Rioja, Cabernet, or Burgundy.  And just because I am advocating that you not use cheap red wine, does not mean the wine you do use shouldn’t be affordable.  There are plenty of great reds under $15, just trust your wine merchant and ask, if they steer you to the jugs of red wine, just don’t shop there again!

After you get the wine, head home and make up a batch.  This is the recipe I like:

• 1 (750 ml) bottle Rioja or other red wine
• 2 teaspoons superfine sugar – if using sprite, omit
• a wide array of fruit cut into bit sized chunks, including orange, apple, strawberry, grapes, etc
• 2 ounces Cointreau or Triple Sec
• 2 ounces brandy
• 12 ounces cold club soda – can substitute sprite here

Mix this all together and let it chill for an hour or more, then serve!  It’s the perfect outdoor summer drink.

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