Sangria is a great Sunday afternoon drink, but not the sangria that my parents used to make. The sangria my parents made was a dark, sweet, heavy red wine (something from a jug made by Ernest & Julio Gallo or Inglenook, I’m sure) with sliced up oranges floating in it.
In movies when you see actors drinking that dark fruity concoction, they’re usually strolling with a lover along a romantic Italian piazza or dancing to sultry calypso music in a tropical locale. For evening, dark ruby sangria is a fantastic choice but that’s not what I want when it’s hot outside and I need a refreshing drink to cool down.
On a sunny Sunday afternoon I want to sit back and sip on a cool drink that doesn’t overpower me with a heavy alcohol taste and gives me the bonus of something healthy to snack on when the glass is empty. These lightened up versions of sangria fit the bill perfectly! #GirlsGoneWine
Sangria Blanco (Compliments of JoCooks)
- 750 ml dry white wine (1 bottle)
- 2 cups ginger ale
- 2 oz cognac
- 1 lime cut into slices
- 1/2 pineapple cut into small wedges with skin removed
- 1 cup strawberries roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup lime grenadine (Sweetened Lime Juice)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 cups ice
Combine all ingredients into a large punch bowl or pitcher and stir well. Feel free to experiment with different liqueurs and different fruit depending on the season. Serves 8
Tropical White Sangria (Compliments of Rachael Ray)
- 2 blood oranges, halved and thinly sliced
- 2 kiwis, peeled and cut into wedges
- 1 cup seedless red grapes, halved or whole
- 1 mango, cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 bottles sauvignon blanc wine, chilled
- 2 ounces orange liqueur, such as Cointreau
- 8 ounces fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
n a 1/2-gal. pitcher, combine the oranges, kiwis, grapes and mango. Stir in the wine and liqueur. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 6 hours.
Just before serving, stir in the strawberries. Serves 8
Either one is a great way to sneak a bit more fruit into your day. 😉
California Girls Gone Wine 