Refreshing Sangrias ~ Summer At Its Best!
One of the best summertime beverages definitely has to be Sangrias! Lush, ripe fruit is abundant and just waiting to be soaked in wine and juice. I love this time of year when we can sit out in the cockpit or at the grill and share a few drinks with friends or even passer-by's!
Stirrings' Simple White Sangria Mix
On one of my shopping excursions to Dave's Marketplace - which, BTW is my favorite grocery store in Rhode Island - I noticed Stirrings' drink mixes in an aisle display. They had Red Sangria mix, White Sangria mix, Mojito Mix and a few others that I didn't really pay much attention to. The Simple White Sangria mix jumped out at me because as everyone here knows, I have an addiction to good wine! AND, I happened to have a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc chilling in my fridge at the time. I read the ingredients and it looked like all good things except the cane sugar, but hey, I bake with Tuesdays With Dorie and God only knows how much sugar and butter that woman uses in her recipes! It had triple filtered water, apple juice, white grape juice, key lime juice, pineapple juice, and white peach juice in it. (Gee, now that I look at it, I could have blended my own juices! Doh!)
Sparkling White Sangria
The back of the label says "This cocktail is best served cold with ice, making it the perfect refreshment for an afternoon lunch in a shaded courtyard." YEAH! That's for me I thought! Only I would be sipping it in a shaded cockpit! I had ripe peaches, an amazingly sweet fresh cored pineapple, some strawberries and a plum. My mouth was salivating just thinking of it! Like I said, the 2006 Robert Mondavi Sauvignon Blanc was chilling, so I bought a bottle of cold club soda to make it a sparkling sangria.
Aren't these pretty? Don't you just want one?
Party Anyone?
The night was hot, around 75 degrees and humid but with a nice breeze coming off the water. We had friends stop by just in time for a drink. It's amazing how this happens. I make drinks and someone shows up. How do they know I'm making drinks? Anyway...I had the pitcher chilling and marinating in the fridge, the colorful glasses were all ready to fill and Jimmy Buffet was playing in the background. How fitting for a perfect summer night?
Cheers!
This Sangria mix was awesome and easy. Just 1 part mix, 1 part wine, add your favorite fruits and let marinate and chill for a while. Pour over ice, splash some club soda over the top and add a freshly picked mint leaf. You have to try Sangrias the next warm summer night. You'll be swaying to the music in no time! Cheers!
Sure could use a glass of white sangria now! Maybe I should whip up a batch and bring it to my daughter's soccer game!
I didn't know that I could use white wine to make sangria! Great post Donna. Salute!
Posted by: Liliana | July 10, 2008 at 05:11 PM
That sounds so great on this hot and sticky day!!
Cheers
Cathy
www.wheresmydamnanswer.com
Posted by: Cathy C | July 10, 2008 at 07:47 PM
Perfect timing! Someone asked me for a white sangria recipe yesterday, and now I can send them your way. Yessssss!
Posted by: Rebecca | July 10, 2008 at 10:22 PM
Ooh that looks good! I really like that brand (Stirrings). I've found them on sale at World Market (it's a chain so you might have them there) for 2 for $10. I like their Rasberry Mojito (love the rasberry!).
Great pictures! :)
Shawn K.
Posted by: Shawn K | July 11, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Love your pictures!
If you would like to make sangria with sparkling wine, try this recipe:
http://getsomehairapy.wordpress.com/2008/05/28/sparkling-sangria/
Posted by: Aura Mae | July 12, 2008 at 12:17 AM
Looks absolutely yummie :D
Posted by: Dhi | July 13, 2008 at 11:53 PM